Rhythms of Containment: Suffering Babies and Preventing Obstaclesin Psychic Development

Abstract

Today I shall speak in identification with a Premature Infant who
can only non-verbally tell you what he/she needs. Intermittently,
I shall also speak as the Premature Baby’s Advocate trying to
support you in taking very seriously the HUGE IMPACT those
early days, weeks and months have on the premature infant’s
capacity to stay alive. I believe research definitely suggests that
the premature infant’s beginning life in NICU Tells the Tale of the
Child’s Later Life! Now I begin interlacing the PREMATURE
INFANT’S nonverbal communication which I have put into words
and my own comments as THE ADVOCATE. The term clinician
refers to all members of the NICU Team.