Neonatal
Music Therapy
Connect Music Therapy provide services in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and in Special Care Baby Units, working with
neonates and their caregivers.
Treatment
Areas
Special Care Baby Unit
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Maternity and Labour Ward
Goal
Areas
Regulate Physiological Responses
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Music therapy is proven to help stabilise the heart rates, oxygen saturation levels and
respiratory rates of infants in neonatal care.
Music is carefully created by the music therapist in order to help stabilise and regulate these vital signs within the sessions.
Alleviate Stress and Anxiety
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Music therapy provides a relaxing and calming environment for both the baby and caregiver.
Specialist instruments are used within sessions which mimic the sounds that the baby heard
when in the womb such as their mother’s heartbeat and blood flow, thus creating a familiar and soothing environment.
Music therapy is commonly used when the baby is showing signs of being visibly distressed, and during or after a procedure to help reduce stress and anxiety for the baby.
Promoting parent-infant bonding
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The music therapy sessions help to create a space for the baby and caregiver to engage in
something positive and meaningful together.
Throughout the sessions, the parent(s) is
encouraged to take part through singing or assisting in instrument playing. This encourages the parent(s) to take an active role in the session and create music for their baby.
Sessions often take place during skin-to-skin interactions, or during feeding time to help facilitate a safe and comforting environment to promote parent-infant bonding.