What is the Newborn Behavioural Observation (NBO)?
It is a way to observe babies and all their wonderful behaviours. It takes 20-30 minutes to do in a quiet, warm room with the mother/ father/ family. We look at how your baby responds to sound when asleep (habituation) and faces and objects (orientation). We can also look at your baby’s physical activity /reflexes and how your baby is able to manage sleeping and crying.
Why do we do it?
To share with parents the wonderful abilities of newborn babies up to the age of 3 months especially your baby in particular. To look at what your baby likes and dislikes and how we understand his/her signals. To understand your baby’s style and temperament in order to develop ways to nurture/sooth and look after your baby.
Who does it?
The NBO can be done by a practitioner or researcher who has extensive experience with new-borns and has been trained in the NBO. Parents can join in the NBO with their own baby. Parents generally find this interesting and fun!
When will it be done?
A trained member of the Let’s Grow Together team will contact you and arrange a time to visit you and your baby for an NBO session. This can be arranged at home or in a community setting.
Developed by J.Kevin Nugent et al 2007
