How NICU design and infant and family-centered developmental care act synergistically to support babies and families.

Recommended NICU Design Standards and Infant and Family Centered Developmental Care standards have complementary goals. Design standards focus on environmental modifications necessary to enhance NICU baby and family experiences and outcomes. Infant and Family Developmental Care Standards focus on the functional aspects of babies' and families' experience, including the caregiving environment. When applied in the NICU environment of care, both complementary evidence-based standards can function synergistically to promote better outcomes for babies and families.