Oral Motor Feeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Exploring Perceptions of Parents and Occupational Therapists

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of three occupational therapists and three parents regarding occupational therapy services provided in the neonatal intensive care unit. Data were obtained through participant interviews. Role of the occupational therapist, parent training, and time spent with parents were themes that emerged from the therapist interviews. Themes from the parent interviews included occupational therapy intervention and treatment, time spent with occupational therapist, and perceptions. A cross-case analysis addressed two common themes: amount of time spent in parent training and perceptions of training provided. Implications for occupational therapy practice in the neonatal intensive care unit are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Neonatal intensive care unit
• parent training
• feeding
• occupational therapy
• oral motor