Neonatal Intensive Care Therapy & Rehab
South Shore Health is here to help our most vulnerable patients thrive. Our physical therapy and rehabilitation team brings their expertise to South Shore Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery (SCN).
Feeding Team Services
For premature newborns, feeding is a skill that is acquired over time through maturation and practice. Often times special techniques are helpful. The NICU and SCN have the support of two dedicated and certified Speech-Language Pathologists. These experts evaluate infants’ feeding abilities—with tests including modified contrast swallowing studies—and assist staff and parents in selecting and using techniques that encourage the development of infant feeding skills, especially as your baby prepares to head home.
Occupational Therapy Services
When infants arrive prematurely, the development of their brain and nervous system must continue in an environment that is very different from that of the uterus. Proper positioning to mimic the intrauterine environment, transitions into and out of sleep, range of motion and infant massage as well as other therapies create the optimal conditions for your infant's development to continue. South Shore Health's NICU and SCN have two experienced and certified Occupational Therapists who work with babies and families to ensure the best possible outcomes for the infants.