An intervention program for families with irritable infants

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and evaluate a home-based nursing intervention program, the REST routine, which incorporates the use of infant behavior assessment, pattern recognition, individualized infant schedules, specific management strategies, and parent education and support.

Study design and method: A two-site clinical trial was conducted on 164 healthy full-term infants with excessive unexplained irritability or colic. Infants between the ages of 2 to 6 weeks were randomized to routine care or a home-based intervention program (n = 121). A third group (n = 43) of infants too old at entry for randomization (mean age = 10.4 weeks) were entered into a posttest-only group.

Results: Infants in the REST routine treatment group cried 1.3 hours per day on average following the intervention program as compared to the control group crying 3 hours per day (p = .02). Infant irritability was resolved (< 1 hour) in 62% of the treatment group while only in 29% of the control group at the time of the 8-week follow-up visit (p = .04).

Clinical implications: Families in both the treatment and control groups reported benefiting from a nurse visiting in their home to inquire about their infant and their well-being. Options for individualizing the program for those most in need of intensive home visiting and other delivery modes for the intervention are areas for further investigation.