Effectiveness of an individualized multidisciplinary programme for managing unsettled infants.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the effectiveness of an individualized multidisciplinary residential programme for managing young unsettled infants and whether changes in unsettled behaviour were maintained.


METHODS
One hundred and nine clients of a Tresillian residential unit with singleton infants aged less than 20 weeks were studied before, during and after intervention. Mothers completed a 24 h infant activity record prior to admission, during the stay and 1 month after discharge. Intervention consisted of settling techniques, parent education, support and counselling.


RESULTS
By day 4 of admission, the mean duration of unsettled (fussing, crying) behaviour had decreased significantly and mean sleeping time and awake/content times both increased significantly (P < 0.001). These changes were maintained 1 month after discharge. Changes in behaviour were particularly marked for very unsettled infants.


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of formal controls, the individualized programme appears effective in managing the behaviour of unsettled infants.
Don
N
N
Tresillian Family Care Centres, Belmore, Australia.
McMahon
C
C
Rossiter
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003085:Colic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003448:Crying; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D009517:New South Wales; D016487:Parenting; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012890:Sleep