As this year’s Children in Need Day approaches, we’re taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible work made possible through Children in Need’s support at The Whittington Hospital in London. Thanks to their funding, Chiltern Music Therapy is able to provide essential Music Therapy sessions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), led by our therapist Amanda.

Amanda works closely with families, parents, and babies within the NICU, offering Music Therapy sessions that focus on supporting the baby’s sleep, improving regulation, reducing parental anxiety, enhancing mother-baby interaction, and providing support during bottle, breast, or tube feeding. She collaborates with parents and family members alongside their newborns, taking time to listen to their stories, experiences, and concerns. This allows her to create personalised sessions, supporting both the adults and their children through the shared experience of making music together.

When asked about her work, Amanda says: “It is such a privilege to work in the NICU with families who are receiving extra medical support for their premature babies. Sometimes consultants ask me to spend time with mums who may be struggling emotionally or where the baby would benefit from some musical input to encourage parent and baby bonding. Some parents want to share their experiences and how they’re coping on the ward; others are keen for their baby to hear music for the first time since being born. I attend ward rounds where I’m introduced to families by consultants, doctors, or nurses and made to feel welcome by all staff. Sometimes families like to video their baby hearing music for the first time or listen to the lyrics of a lullaby they’ve just written for their baby. I look forward to my day on the ward each week. I usually don’t know who I will meet before I arrive, and I have met some truly inspirational families. I’m glad to be a positive part of their NICU journey.”

NICU Music Therapy sessions are tailored to meet each family’s unique needs and may include activities such as quiet humming of familiar songs with ukulele accompaniment or lullaby writing in English or other languages meaningful to the baby’s community.

One participant shared: "Such a lovely experience. Amanda was wonderful, kind, and very positive. It was the first nice experience my husband and I shared as a family with our baby girls since they were born and in the hospital. Thank you very much."

Our work at The Whittington Hospital’s NICU would not be possible without the generous support of Children in Need.

‍