10  •  2019  •  Developmental Observer

Newborn Individualized Developmental Care (NIDCAP) is the 
gold standard of early intervention training. Unfortunately, despite 
intense efforts to disseminate this program, the training is not ac-
cessible to a large proportion of neonatal professionals due to high 
costs, duration of the training, and supportive systems organization.

Aims/Purpose

To offer different types and levels of training for neonatal profes-
sionals. 

Methods

Training programs have been selected if the intervention is cue-
based and family-centered, has an acceptable level of evidence 
and is in agreement with the NIDCAP philosophy. 
The Brest training center is offering:

- Introduction to patient- and family-center developmental
care (two days) created by Nathalie Ratynski and Jacques
Sizun in 2000.

- Family and Infant Neuro-developmental Education1

(FINE) (level II: practical skills) created by Nikk Conneman,
Monique Oude Reimer, Esthervan der Heijden and Inga
Warren (12 weeks)

- The Support of Feeding for Fragile Infants (SOFFI)2, cre-
ated by Erin Ross and Kathleen Philbin (two days)

- The Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO)3 (two days) a
clinical relationship-building tool derived from the Newborn
Behavioral Scale (NBAS, Yvette Blanchard as trainer)

- The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Pro-
gram (IBAIP)4, (three one-week sessions during one year)

created and trained by Rodd Hedlund (part of a randomized 
controlled trial)

Results/Findings 

- Short training programs could be considered as an introduc-
tion to the NIDCAP Training;

- Thousands of professionals from French-speaking NICUs
(level II or III), maternity units or follow-up clinics or private
medical offices have been trained with a high satisfaction
level;

- This catalogue offers an opportunity to reach people working
outside the level III NICUs; and

- Short courses trainers could be future candidates to become
NIDCAP trainers

Conclusion

This strategy participates to the financial stability, the indepen-
dence and the sustainability of the Brest NIDCAP Training 
Center.

References:

1. www.bliss.org.uk/health-professionals/training-and-events/the-fine-programme

2. Cross, ES, Philbin MK. Supporting oral feeding in fragile infants: An evidence-based method 
for quality bottle-feedings of preterm, ill, and fragile Infants. Journal of Perinatal Neonatal 
Nursing 2011; 25(4): 349–359.

3. Barlow J, Herath NI, Bartram Torrance C, Bennett C, Wei Y. The Neonatal Behavioral As-
sessment Scale (NBAS) and Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system for supporting 
caregivers and improving outcomes in caregivers and their infants. Cochrane Database System-
atic Reviews. 2018;3:CD011754. 

4. Verkerk G, Jeukens-Visser M, Koldewijn K, van Wassenaer A, Houtzager B, Kok J, Nollet F. In-
fant behavioral assessment and intervention program in very low birth weight infants improves 
independency in mobility at preschool age. Journal of Pediatrics 2011;159(6): 933-8.e1.

Diversification of Developmental Care Trainings: How and Why? 
Ratynski Na, Minguy Sa, Olivard I, Sizun Jb

aNIDCAP Trainer, bCenter director, Brest NIDCAP Training Center, Brest, France.