A nationwide programme aimed at improving the language development of all babies admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) that will significantly improve outcomes, aid neurodevelopmental skills, and free resources, was launched by the HSE on Friday last.
The BabyTalk Initiative is the first project in Ireland to focus on three forms of communication – singing, reading and talking – and initial research at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda found the programme brought a more-than sixfold increase in such instances in the local NICU.
The launch on 12th September at Bettystown Library, Co Meath, with the support of the HSE’s SPARK Innovation Programme and Libraries Ireland, will see resources, mentoring and educational materials offered to the 19 Neonatal Intensive Care Units across Ireland.
Exposure to singing, reading and talking is essential to building language, literacy and social-emotional skills at a critical time in a child’s life. Research has also shown it also improves neurodevelopmental outcome and enhances parental and infant mental health.
LANGUAGE EXPOSURE
Premature or unwell infants are at increased risk of language delays. A 2023 study comparing the language exposure of ‘typically developing’ babies and preterm infants in a NICU setting, found preterm babies were exposed to five times less language per day from parents compared to those not admitted in NICU.
Although the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit poses challenges given the critical care needs of tiny infants, this programme is already improving early language development, discharge times and freeing up precious resources in our health service.
The BabyTalk team plan to begin working with the 19 NICUs across the country, expanding the programme and increasing its impact for the country’s most vulnerable, premature children.
