Interdisciplinary perspectives on the management of the unsettled baby: key strategies for improved outcomes

Pamela S. Douglas, Renata E. Mares, Peter S. Hill

The objectives of this study were to analyse the perspectives of key informants with clinical expertise in the care of unsettled babies in the first few months of life and their families, concerning changes required to improve outcomes. The research used a purposive selection strategy and thematic analysis of key informant interviews of24 health professionals from 11 disciplines. Informants were selected for extensive experience in the management of unsettled babies and their families. Participants corroborated existing evidence that post-birth care in Australia is fragmented. All held the view that, first, early primary care intervention for unsettled infants and their families, and second, improved cross-professional communication, are vital if the burden of this problem to the infant, family and health system are to be minimised. There was consensus, third, that significant gaps exist in health professionals' knowledge base and management behaviours. The development of education resources, best practice guidelines, shared assessment frameworks for primary care practitioners and strategies for improved cross-professional communication are necessary to improve the health outcomes and decrease the burden of this common yet complex post-birth problem.