Length of stay for ‘well’ near term (30-36 week gestation) babies varies between units and between countries, with the UK average being discharge at 36+2 weeks corrected. What strategies are in place in your unit to help these ‘small but well’ babies get out of precious neonatal cots into their own lovingly decorated cribs at home? And more to the Archimedes point – is there any evidence these interventions work?

The team at Northwick Park have both reviewed their own practice and the evidence that underlies it here; what do you think of their answers?

Authors:

Nivedita Bajaj, Richard Nicholl; Neonatal Unit, Northwick Park, Harrow HA1 3UJ.

The photo is used under the creativecommons2.0 licence, originals to be found here