Interventions in early infancy

Infants of high-risk pregnancies and deliveries may need early intervention to facilitate attachment both to and from their caregivers. Three early interventions are described: (1) giving high-risk pregnant women video feedback during prenatal ultrasound, which reduced maternal anxiety, obstetric complications, and fetal activity and improved neonatal outcome (increased weight gain, better performance on the Brazelton, and decreased irritability); (2) providing preterm neonates nonnutritive sucking opportunities to reduce stress during heelsticks and gavage feedings; and (3) providing preterm neonates and preterm cocaine-exposed neonates massage therapy, which facilitated weight gain and better performance on the Brazelton scale. Following improved neonatal behavior, infants would be expected to have better interactions with their caregivers.