Co-Bedding Versus Single-Bedding Premature Multiple-Gestation Infants in Incubators

Abstract

Objective To compare the physiological stability and behavioral effects of co‐bedding with those of single‐bedding premature multiple‐gestation infants in incubators as well as the psychological effects on their parents. Design Prospective, randomized, repeated measure. Participants Convenience sample of 16 infants and 8 parents in the co‐bedded group, and 21 infants and 11 parents in the control group. Interventions Infants in the study group were co‐bedded in incubators. Main Outcome Measures Baseline and posttesting for parental state anxiety, maternal attachment, and parental satisfaction measures; infant sleep‐wake synchronicity; physiological measures; and stress cue measures during baseline and activity. Main Results Repeated measures 5 (time) × 2 (group) analysis of variance found significant differences in infant daily weight, feeding amount, and high‐activity heart rate. There was no difference in parental state anxiety, maternal attachment, and parental satisfaction scores by group, except for higher baseline parental satisfaction scores in the co‐bedded group. Conclusions This research demonstrated the safety of co‐bedding multiple‐gestation infants in incubators but did not find any significant clinical improvement in infant or parental outcomes with co‐bedding. Neonatal intensive‐care unit providers should educate staff and parents about the potential benefits of co‐bedding and consider developing policies and procedures for co‐bedding in both incubators and cribs. Co‐bedding of multiple‐gestation infants may be provided as an adjunctive developmental care strategy if parents desire this intervention. To compare the physiological stability and behavioral effects of co‐bedding with those of single‐bedding premature multiple‐gestation infants in incubators as well as the psychological effects on their parents. Prospective, randomized, repeated measure. Convenience sample of 16 infants and 8 parents in the co‐bedded group, and 21 infants and 11 parents in the control group. Infants in the study group were co‐bedded in incubators. Baseline and posttesting for parental state anxiety, maternal attachment, and parental satisfaction measures; infant sleep‐wake synchronicity; physiological measures; and stress cue measures during baseline and activity. Repeated measures 5 (time) × 2 (group) analysis of variance found significant differences in infant daily weight, feeding amount, and high‐activity heart rate. There was no difference in parental state anxiety, maternal attachment, and parental satisfaction scores by group, except for higher baseline parental satisfaction scores in the co‐bedded group. This research demonstrated the safety of co‐bedding multiple‐gestation infants in incubators but did not find any significant clinical improvement in infant or parental outcomes with co‐bedding. Neonatal intensive‐care unit providers should educate staff and parents about the potential benefits of co‐bedding and consider developing policies and procedures for co‐bedding in both incubators and cribs. Co‐bedding of multiple‐gestation infants may be provided as an adjunctive developmental care strategy if parents desire this intervention.