Practitioner views and reflections on applying the Newborn Behavioural Observations (NBO) System within an Irish Context

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Abstract

This study sought to examine participants’ experience of attending a Newborn Behavioural Observations (NBO) training and implementing it into community services, within an Irish context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants of the training (n=6, female=100%), while Thematic Analysis (TA) was utilised to analyse qualitative data. Three main themes emerged along with their related subthemes: ) Parallel experience between training experience and application into practise, 2) Deeper understanding of a baby’s capacities and value of a relational approach, and 3) Ruptures and Connections. The findings suggest that participants felt empowered, with an increased level of confidence when working with babies and parents following the training. Future research could usefully focus on accessing a wider range of service providers. While future NBO training might consider the need for ongoing peer support groups to sustain and develop NBO learnings