Closeness and separation in neonatal intensive care

Abstract

Culturally sensitive care practices, procedures and the physical environment need to be considered to facilitate parent-infant closeness, such as through early and prolonged skin-to-skin contact, family-centred care, increased visiting hours, family rooms and optimization of the space on the units. Further research is required to explore factors that facilitate both physical and emotional closeness to ensure that parent-infant closeness is a priority within neonatal care.