CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pampers, the brand trusted to be the #1 choice of U.S. hospitals* for over 40 years, has partnered with Creative Therapy Consultants to provide scholarships for the neonatal nurses and therapists who improve the lives of babies — including preemies — every day.
Up to fifteen percent of babies spend time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the majority of whom are born premature. In honor of World Prematurity Awareness Month, Pampers will fund scholarships for NICU professionals to take the Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification® (NTMC) in cities across the U.S.
“We owe it to babies and families to touch not just with our hands, but also with our hearts during every neonatal interaction,” says Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMC, president, Creative Therapy Consultants and founder, Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification. “Reportedly 95% of touch in the NICU is not intentionally comforting. This study led me to develop NTMC with a clear vision to reverse this for babies and families.”
Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification® (NTMC) is an exclusively neonatal, one-of-a-kind certification for neonatal healthcare providers. The Certification has been developed with a 3-fold purpose: to help NICU babies, families, and staff. It’s all about maximizing positive long-term development of the infant and giving families the opportunity and tools to bond with their infant.
“I’m really proud of the practical knowledge and skills I gained about comforting touch and the value it added to my work in the NICU,” says Amy Wiford, Pampers BSN, RN, NTMNC, who participated in NTMC last year. “I’d encourage anyone who works with infants in a NICU setting to consider this course, which demonstrates how Pampers cares for babies and nurses alike.”
Pampers, Professionals and Preemies
More than 25 million babies in 100 countries start their journey in Pampers, and the brand has a history of supporting the NICU nurses and neonatal professionals who are integral to an infant’s early-life development.
“Designing products to meet the needs of babies is important, but that alone is not enough,” says Andre Schulten, Vice President and General Manager, Baby Care North America, Procter & Gamble. “Funding the NTMC scholarship series is our way of thanking the healthcare professionals who have invested in their own education to elevate care and optimize infant development during a vital growth stage.”
In 2002, Pampers became the first major diaper manufacturer to design a diaper specifically for premature infants. Thanks to advances in medical technology, these littlest fighters continue to survive at younger and younger gestational ages. In 2016, Pampers created a diaper for infants weighing as little as one pound. In addition, last year Pampers donated more than $200,000 to the March of Dimes to help the national organization learn more about the causes of premature births.
If you are neonatal professional and would like to learn more about how Pampers is helping babies, families and healthcare providers, visit pampersprofessional.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Creative Therapy Consultants
Creative Therapy Consultants provides infant-driven education that not only expands the knowledge, skill and expertise of healthcare providers but also improves the safety, efficiency and consistency of neonatal care practices. Its educational opportunities are individualized to meet the needs of each audience, are participant-centered, and have a strong “hands on” component to facilitate the transition of classroom knowledge into competent bedside caregiving. Online education, hands-on training, advanced level certification, workshops, lectures and DVDs designed for all staff in the NICU or Special Care Nursery are available.
About Pampers®
For more than 50 years, parents have trusted Pampers to care for their babies. Pampers is a part of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and is the #1-selling diaper worldwide. Every day, more than 25 million babies in 100 countries around the world wear Pampers. Pampers offers a complete range of diapers, wipes and training pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage of baby’s development. Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, join the Pampers Club, and find ideas and information to help you and your baby "love the change" even more.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.
*hospitals: based on hospital sales data; nurses: vs. other hospital brands, among those with a preference; parents: based on retail sales
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