National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT)

08/07/2025

NANT's Core Value Spotlight: Presence

🌿 Presence means more than just being there—it’s about being fully engaged, heart and soul, in every moment.

At NANT, we show up with intention for our work and for each other. By being present, we create an environment of support, healing, and hope for the families and babies we serve.

Every moment counts, and we choose to show up fully.

💛

08/06/2025

💬 “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

A little reminder as you take that next step—whether it’s in the NICU, at your desk, or in your personal life. One small start can lead to big impact. 💛

08/05/2025

“As a CLC and SLP, I appreciate the knowledge and education regarding human milk and safety.” – Course Participant

https://neonataltherapists.org/humanmilk

“As a CLC and SLP, I appreciate the knowledge and education regarding human milk and safety.” – Course Participant

08/04/2025

📣 One week left! The Call for Abstracts for NANT 16 closes August 11th!

If you’ve been thinking about submitting—this is your reminder to go for it. Whether it’s a research project, program, or practice you’re proud of, this is your chance to share the moments that make a real difference in the NICU.

🗓️ NANT 16 takes place April 16–18, 2026 in Arlington, TX.
💡 Theme: Moments Matter
👩‍⚕️ For: Neonatal OTs, PTs, SLPs, and NICU professionals around the world.

📬 Submit your abstract or tag a colleague who should share their work too:
👉 https://nantconference.com/call-for-abstracts/

Let’s celebrate the meaningful, everyday work happening across NICUs—one moment at a time.

08/01/2025

🍼 August is National Breastfeeding Month
The 2025 theme is "Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems."

👶 Neonatal Therapists play a vital role in early feeding support in the NICU. As breastfeeding advocates, therapists partner with parents to pursue feeding goals and support the infant's neurodevelopment.

🧡 Neonatal OTs, PTs, and SLPs are incredible cheerleaders. Here’s where they make a difference:

🤱 Early and frequent skin-to-skin holding
📚 Breastfeeding and breast milk education
👄 Guiding first oral experiences at breast
🛋️ Offering latch and positioning support
🤝 Supporting teamwork to overcome breastfeeding barriers

Let’s keep building systems that honor every feeding journey with compassion, evidence-based care, and unwavering support. 💗

07/31/2025

👋 Team Spotlight: Meet Raquel Garcia, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, CLC, CNT, BCS-S

NANT ROLE:
Raquel serves on both our Peer Review Team and as a Conference Onsite Volunteer. She brings thoughtful research and heart to her work every step of the way.

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL PROJECT:
Raquel's professional passion focuses on better understanding feeding and swallowing in extremely premature infants. By identifying early patterns, her goal is to help shift care from reactive responses to proactive strategies as babies move toward discharge — and beyond.

We’re grateful for Raquel’s dedication to supporting long-term outcomes for NICU graduates and her meaningful contributions to the NANT community.

07/30/2025

Core Value Spotlight: Service

💛 Service is at the heart of everything we do.

We are deeply committed to supporting neonatal therapists around the world, equipping them with the education, resources, and mentorship needed to create global neurodevelopmental impact.

Through our service, we ensure that every baby in the NICU receives the care and compassion they deserve.

🌸

07/29/2025

An invisible reason why change is slow in the NICU. (And maybe everywhere.)

https://neonataltherapists.org/reframingchange

Sue Ludwig examines an invisible reason why change is slow in the NICU.

07/28/2025

📢 Now Available: A fresh new resource from NANT!

The Essential Role of the Neonatal Therapist position statement is now ready for download.

This document clearly outlines NANT’s official stance and recommendations on the practice of neonatal therapy—grounded in evidence, and created to support communication with healthcare teams, families, and external organizations.

If you've been needing a clear and credible way to describe the value and scope of neonatal therapy, this is it.

📝 Download your copy today: https://neonataltherapists.com/resources/

07/24/2025

📘 Practice Competencies for Neonatal Therapists — An invaluable resource

Whether you're mentoring a new therapist or setting your own professional goals, the Practice Competencies provide a structured way to support growth and confidence in the NICU.

💡 "We have found the competencies helpful for training therapists new to the NICU and supporting therapists already in the NICU in identifying areas for clinical growth..." — Kati Knudsen, PT, MPT, CNT, PCS, DCS, CLE

Created by the NANT Professional Collaborative, this peer-reviewed, interprofessional resource is divided into three clear sections (knowledge/competencies/interventions), with helpful recommendations to guide use in Level II–IV NICUs.

🧠 Use them for mentoring, team development, or personal learning goals.

📥 Learn more: https://neonataltherapists.com/competencies

07/22/2025

“Another study found that the use of the Kangaroo NTrainer™ System helped to enable full oral feedings, at the breast or bottle, four days sooner. Those using this therapy were also discharged from the NICU six days sooner than those that did not use the device and relied on pacifiers alone.(6)”

https://neonataltherapists.org/cardinalhealth

Premature infants may not have the muscle strength needed to suck successfully at the breast or a bottle. This muscle strength, along with ability to coordinate sucking with swallowing and breathing, must be learned by the infant before feedings can begin.2 There are two sucking patterns with which....

07/21/2025

Interested in presenting, but not sure about an oral session? A poster presentation is a great way to share your work at NANT 16.

Whether it’s a new clinical pathway, a family-centered initiative, or outcomes from a quality improvement project—your work matters. And it could make a real impact on NICUs everywhere.

💡 Posters are an ideal way to highlight moments of progress, partnership, and innovation in neonatal care.

🗓 Submit by August 11, 2025
📍Conference: April 16–18, 2026 | Arlington, TX

🔗 Details and submission form: https://nantconference.com/call-for-abstracts/