New service: Personalized online guidance for parents of preterm infants and newborns who have been discharged from the NICU

The length of stay in NICUs at the hospitals can be weeks or even months until discharge home. After discharge from the NICU, there are parents who experience anxiety about the future. The Occupational Therapy Service at Hillel Yaffe's Child Development Institute has launched a new and special service for parents of preterm infants and newborns discharged from the NICU, which enables remote guidance by an occupational therapist, specialist in child development, in a variety of developmental issues such as eating, sleep, play and sensory.

As part of the education, the parents will receive personalized and targeted guidance that has been personalized for their child. Additionally, they can ask questions and consult on any matter they like.

The occupational therapist, Ronit Melk Nofim, head of HYMC’s Occupational Therapy Service, said, “We identified the need parents have to receive personalized guidance, even after hospitalization. Many parents are discharged home with their baby and are very fearful of what will happen. This service allows parents a safer and calmer transition to home, and this way they can call on experienced professionals to guide them personally and help them with any question they may have. This service can be provided anywhere, without a physical visit to the hospital, by a remote video call with an occupational therapist, while maintaining full medical confidentiality.”

To schedule an appointment, send a payment authorization form from the HMO (Form 17) to the following e-mail: [email protected]

Occupational therapist Ronit Melk Nofim providing online guidance to parents of preterm infants