JOIN THE TOWN HALL WITH KARA ANN & KATHI Las Vegas, Nevada – December 2, 2025 In a heartfelt continuation of legacy and purpose, Kathi Randall, MSN, NNP-BC, CNS, NTMNC, President of Synapse Care Solutions, proudly announces that Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC) and its parent organization, Creative Therapy Consultants (CTC), will continue their [...]
Summer is in full swing and so is NTMC Recertification which includes the brand-new NTMC Refresher! The deadline to complete the Recertification or Refresher course, maintain your certification and credentials, and earn CEUs is August 31st! These courses are packed with validation of what you’ve already learned, new practice ideas, up-to-date, relevant research and practice [...]
Did you see our recent April CTC Newsletter about Outcomes? It was packed with research, real, everyday bedside application, giveaways, updates and more! If you missed it, sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter HERE. Are you looking for more education? Check out our Neonatal On-Line Education HERE! It was great seeing many of you [...]
We recently had our Creative Therapy Consultants Retreat in Dunedin, FL where we spent 3 full days collaborating, creating, supporting and brain-storming how to maximize your education and change the lives of babies and families around the world. We left exhausted, exhilarated, and excited about the changes we are making to the Neonatal Touch & [...]
Preterm infants are exposed to numerous stressors during their NICU stay, including routine handling or cares by nursing staff. Previous research has determined the majority of touch in the NICU is procedural vs comforting. The absence of “good touch”, or positive tactile experiences, can alter an infant’s brain development, as they are developing circuitry and [...]
Did You Know: Effects of Kangaroo Mother Care in the NICU on the Physiological Stress Parameters of Premature Infants: A Meta-Analysis of RCTs Despite the numerous cited benefits of kangaroo care in the NICU, establishing consistent opportunities for skin to skin holding in the NICU remains challenging in many units. This study completed a meta-analysis [...]
Did you know non-pharmacologic management of GERD should be your first line of defense? Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) commonly occurs in infant’s admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. When reflux does occur, an infant can be asymptomatic or present with symptoms related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The clinical [...]
Did you know reducing pain in the NICU remains a top priority in neonatal care? Pain is a sensory and emotional experience, and research has shown that even the tiniest neonates experience pain. It has been proven the that perception of pain is well developed by 20-24 weeks gestation. Pain causes sympathetic stimulation, cortisol, aldosterone [...]
Did you know 4-handed care (2-person caregiving) significantly reduces mean heart rate during and after suctioning compared to 2-handed care? Pain is the fifth vital sign with short-term and long-term effects for the infant in the NICU. Pain decreases oxygenation, causes hemodynamic instability, increased intracranial pressure, leads to anxiety, stress, hyperactivity and attention issues. [...]
Did you know behavior and cognitive performance at 18 months is predictive of performance at 36 months in former preterm infants? Historically, literature suggests that children born preterm have more behavioral and cognitive challenges than their peers born at term. Such challenges include lower cognitive function, withdrawn and anxious behaviors, ADHD, and much higher rate [...]