With support from the Foundation, the Special Care Nursery was able to purchase four CD/clock radios for the nursery. Often times you will hear at least one if not all four radios playing in one of the private rooms that house a baby and its family or nurses. The babies in the Special Care Nursery experience a wide variety of challenges after their birth including low birth-weight, genetic conditions, respiratory difficulties, infection, and neonatal abstinence syndrome or drug dependency. Their struggles in these first few hours and days in the Special Care Unit can be daunting. Music therapy provides the much needed intervention that can improve the health and development of the newborn by providing an environment that is comforting and soothing.

The special care nursery is equipped to manage complications that regular nurseries cannot. It provides peace of mind for patients knowing that the physicians and nurses are experienced in treating high-risk conditions and are dedicated to creating a warm, comfortable environment for newborns with medical conditions.

Tonya Collins, RN a nurse in the Family Birthing Center, originally suggested the inclusion of music as a part of the post-birth care and therapies. She believes that the music has been beneficial for everyone in the unit, especially the babies suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome. “We’ve had a few babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome. The music seems to have a major impact on their comfort and emotions. Often times the music helps them to calm down and relax, which can be very challenging in their condition,” she said.