Hammock Position and Nesting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Researchers will make a hammock by using a soft rectangular cotton cloth with ropes that pass through the circular openings of the incubator and are tied on the upper part of it. Babies will be placed in this hammock in a supine position with their extremities in the midline. The spine of the preterm neonate will support while arms and knees are flexed. Additionally, a small rectangular roller will be placed between the cervical and scapular region of the newborn in the hammock position to ensure that no hyperflexion or hyperextension position of the head occurs, which may impair respiratory function.

In the nesting group, a nest will be made using rolls prepared with materials such as towels and blankets, and the baby will be placed in this nest. The baby's head and body will be positioned on the same axis, its extremities will be positioned in the midline, and its hands will be positioned close to its face.