Intro to NICU OT: OT CEU Course with Nicole Bazinet

Step into the highly specialized world of neonatal intensive care, where occupational therapy professionals play a critical role in protecting fragile brain development and supporting infants' very first occupations—eating, sleeping, and bonding. 👶🍼 👍 Earn 1 hour of AOTA-approved occupational therapy continuing education after watching this course: https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-c... Episode Description: Occupational therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is one of the most sensitive and high-stakes practice areas in the profession. Transitioning into this environment requires a fundamental shift, moving from a "rehab" mindset to one of "prehab"—supporting optimal development from the very beginning. In this episode, we are joined by Nicole Bazinet, MS, OTR/L, IBCLC, CNT, NTMTC, a neonatal therapist and board-certified lactation consultant with over 20 years of experience. Nicole pulls back the curtain on the "organized chaos" of the NICU, explaining how OTs use neuroprotective strategies to protect rapidly growing brains that can triple in size during the third trimester. You’ll learn how a typical day is structured around "care times" to protect infant sleep, the unique "pre-feeding" interventions used with premature babies, and how OTs act as essential coaches for parents navigating medical trauma. Whether you are a seasoned pediatric therapist or a student curious about this coveted role, this conversation offers a foundational look at the art and science of neonatal OT. 🎧 Topics Covered: • The Core Role: Integrating the art and science of infant development within the high-tech NICU environment. • Brain Development: Protecting the "turbo drive" of neurodevelopment during the third trimester. • The Occupations of an Infant: How OTs approach eating, sleeping, pooping, and bonding. • Neuroprotective Strategies: Minimizing sensory stress, promoting sleep, and supporting physiologic stability. • Organized Chaos: A typical day triaging patients and coordinating care with the medical team. • Standardized Assessments: An overview of the Dubowitz, Preemie-Neuro, and the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP). • Intervention Toolbox: From skin-to-skin (Kangaroo Care) and therapeutic bathing to splinting for contractures. • The Service Cliff: Strategies for successful discharge planning and advocacy for ongoing therapy. 🎙 Guest: • Nicole Bazinet, MS, OTR/L, IBCLC, CNT, NTMTC – Neonatal Therapist, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Founder of Be Well Baby. • Sarah Lyon, OTR/L – Host and Founder of OT Potential. 📅 Episode No. 127 | Release Date: February 6, 2026 🎉 Earn CEU Credit Join the OT Potential Club to take a quiz and earn 1 hour of AOTA-approved occupational therapy continuing education: https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-c... Website & Social: • Episode page: https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-c... • Podcast page: https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-c... • Support the show by using the "OTPotential" Medbridge Code: https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-co... • Try 2 free OT Potential courses here: https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceus Timestamps: 00:00 – The highly specialized nature of NICU OT 03:14 – Nicole’s journey from toddler teacher to the NICU 05:51 – Why OTs should consider becoming lactation consultants 07:45 – The tripling of brain size in the third trimester 12:21 – Defining neuroprotection and neurobehavioral organization 16:30 – Why OTs are uniquely suited for the neonatal team 21:16 – Scheduling around the baby: Protecting sleep and "care times" 27:03 – Standardized vs. observational assessment in the NICU 31:03 – Staffing realities: Why most NICUs are understaffed 35:33 – Mimicking the womb: Environmental lighting and sound control 38:45 – Skin-to-skin holding and therapeutic bathing 41:13 – Creating a therapeutic rapport with medically traumatized parents 43:32 – The discharge "cliff" and making the case for early intervention 46:12 – Tips for therapists looking to enter the NICU field 53:41 – Closing and CEU instructions #occupationaltherapy #NICU #neonataltherapy #pediatricOT #infantdevelopment #otpotential #lactationconsultant #continuingeducation