What is the typical focus of care in the eat/sleep/console/room-in approach?

The eat/sleep/console/room-in approach is a family-centered care model primarily utilized for managing infants with neonatal withdrawal symptoms, such as those resulting from maternal substance use during pregnancy. The overarching goal of this method is to create a supportive environment that minimizes distress for both the infant and family.

By focusing on minimizing distress, the approach recognizes that high levels of stress can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and negatively impact an infant's ability to feed and sleep effectively. The room-in aspect encourages parent-infant bonding and allows parents to be present and responsive to their infant's needs, which is crucial for facilitating feeding and calming techniques. This strategy not only promotes the child's emotional and physiological well-being but also empowers parents in their caregiving roles.

While feeding, monitoring, and parent interactions are important components of neonatal care, they are secondary to the primary aim of reducing stress. Creating a calm environment allows for more effective feeding and improves the overall experience for both the infant and the parents. This holistic focus helps foster a nurturing atmosphere that promotes better outcomes during the vulnerable periods of withdrawal and recovery.