The challenges relating to FCC reported by parents at both admission and discharge represent some of the key barriers that parents still face in terms of being truly involved in the care of their infant in the NICU. Similar themes at both time points suggest that parents need equal amounts of support during their stay in NICU, irrespective of the level of care the infant is receiving and whether they are approaching discharge. Implications for improving FCC more generally are discussed.

The cause of oxygen desaturation in preterm infants who are restrained in car seats is multifactorial. The present data strongly support the hypothesis that flexion of the head on the body is a significant contributor to these episodes and that the mechanism is posterocephalic displacement of the mandible, leading to narrowing of the upper airway. Critically, this pilot study demonstrates that the frequency of episodes of desaturation in a standard newborn car seat can be substantially reduced by placement of a simple foam insert that allows the infant to maintain the head in a neutral position on the trunk during sleep.

This study builds on evidence for the COVERS scale and the PAT; both scales were reliable and valid measures of acute pain in neonates as premature as 24-week gestational age.

Significant differences exist in the perceptions of illness severity, helpfulness of treatment, and the long-term effects of the baby's illness between parents and clinicians and this may lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in communication.

Pacifier use in preterm infants was associated with a small significant forward displacement of the jaw. These data suggest that pacifier use may help protect the upper airway.