Understanding Newborn Behavior and Early Relationships

The Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) System Handbook
J. Kevin Nugent, Ph.D., Constance H. Keefer, M.D., Susan Minear, M.D., Lise C. Johnson, M.D., Yvette Blanchard, Sc.D., PT

Flexible, easy to integrate into everyday practice, and based on more than 25 years of research and clinical experience, this observational tool and handbook gives clinicians a systematic way to help parents respond with confidence to their newborn's individual needs—and build a positive parent–professional relationship in the process.

Giving babies a "voice" helps parents understand their baby's unique strengths and needs. This observational tool and handbook, complete with beautiful four-color photographs by a Pulitzer prize-winning photographer, gives professionals a systematic way to help parents respond with confidence to their baby's individual needs—and build positive parent–professional relationships in the process. Flexible, easy to integrate into everyday practice, and based on more than 25 years of research, this system includes

• A short, easy-to-use, interactive observational tool. With the Newborn Behavioral Observations (NBO) system, professionals will have a structured set of 18 observations for infants from birth to approximately 3 months. Including parents as partners, professionals guide the observation, discuss the baby's abilities and behaviors with parents, encourage parent insights and questions, and suggest specific ways to support the child's development. (Appropriate use of the NBO tool in clinical practice requires training through the NBO training program.)

• A complete guide to the NBO system. Through realistic case studies, step-by-step how-to instructions, and color photos illustrating each NBO item, professionals will understand how to use the NBO effectively with a wide variety of families.

• Invaluable professional guidance. More than a tool, the handbook helps professionals improve their daily work with in-depth information on infant and parent development, cultural competence, premature and at-risk infants, family–centered care, and more.

An essential resource from the co-author of the highly regarded Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) and his colleagues, this system is just what clinicians in hospital, clinic, or home settings need to help new mothers and fathers get to know their baby, increase their confidence and competence as parents, and support their child's growth and development.

Reviews

: Doody's Review Service - March 28, 2008
"This handbook will help clinicians improve their daily work by making them better observers and become active intermediaries between their newborn patients and their parents. It should be required reading for every professional who deals with infants from 0 to 3 months of age."

: PsycCRITIQUES, American Psychological Association - December 18, 2007
"Accessible to a wide range of professionals who work with young infants . . . provides for the most information transmission possible outside of a hands-on training session."

: Boston Institute for the Development of Infants and Parents (BIDIP) Newsletter - December 3, 2007
"The richness and complexity of the thinking that led to the [Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, NBAS] re-appears now."

Elsie Vergara, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Boston University - March 9, 2007
"At last —a truly unique family–centered perspective to the assessment of the newborn infant."

Leslie Sanders, Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Alabama at Birmingham - February 28, 2007
"A valuable resource for any clinician seeking to enhance the engagement of new parents with their infants."

Kathryn Barnard, Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, Center on Infant Mental Health and Development, University of Washington - February 28, 2007
"A valuable collection of information for all professionals working with parents and infants . . . a promising preventive intervention."