NICU MT Services

Music Therapy with Infants

Multimodal stimulation is paired with music to increase an infant’s tolerance for stimulation without
becoming overstimulated.  Four types of stimulation are used and are layered in the following order: auditory (lullaby style music), tactile (touch), vestibular(rocking), and visual.  If an infant can tolerate auditory stimulation alone, tactile stimulation is added in a systematic way.  The stimulation is synchronized with the infant’s development, head to toe and inside out.  Research has shown that this procedure can result in decreased length of hospitalization for infants in the intensive care unit, decreased stress behaviors, and increased daily weight gain.

What to expect:
A board certified music therapist conducts an individualized session with you and your infant in consultation with the infant's medical team.  The initial session is 40 minutes in length including: parent hands on training/music therapy intervention, parent and medical team consultation, and NICU MT overview.  Follow up sessions are 30 minutes in length; 20 minutes music therapy intervention and 10 minutes consultation and documentation.
Lullaby style guitar music is used to provide auditory stimulation.  Parent/caregiver is educated about the signs of overstimulation, positive responses, and engages in tactile and vestibular stimulation.

For NICU MT services, please contact Judy Engel to schedule individual appointments by phone
850 445 3676 or by e-mail engelmusictherapy@gmail.com.