National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT)

01/21/2026

💜 January Featured Course is Here 💜

This month, we are highlighting Thrive with Trachs Transtracheal Pressure Measurement for Speaking Valve Assessment, taught by Brittany J Bullock, MS, CCC, SLP, CLC, CNT.

Infants with tracheostomies require thoughtful and informed care, and this course gives clinicians practical tools they can use right away. Brittany walks through the neonatal therapist's role in assessing airway patency, the safe application of speaking valves in both NICU and post-discharge settings, and how transtracheal pressure measurement can guide more confident clinical decisions.

Through videos, case studies, and clear guidance, you will learn how speaking valves can support feeding swallowing sensation and early communication, along with steps for assessing readiness and measuring pressures in a safe and organized way.

This course is free for NANT Members and available now in your learning portal.
https://neonataltherapists.com/courses/thrive-with-trachs-transtracheal-pressure-measurement-for-speaking-valve-assessment/

Here’s to starting the year with learning that supports our tiniest patients and the professionals who care for them. 💛

01/20/2026

💜 NANT 16 is coming and Members get $100 off 💜

We cannot wait to welcome you to Arlington this April for NANT 16. It’s our biggest gathering of the year and a chance to learn together, connect, and renew your passion for this meaningful work.

If you’re a NANT Member, don’t forget you receive $100 off any in-person conference package. It’s our way of saying thank you for being part of this incredible community.

Early bird pricing is available until February 13th — a perfect time to lock in your savings and secure your spot.

We’d love to see you there.
We’re building something special together. 💛

https://nantconference.com/registration-open/

01/19/2026

💜 Honoring MLK Jr. Day 💜

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" – Martin Luther King Jr.

Every day in the NICU, neonatal therapists answer that question in the most meaningful ways—through every moment of care, connection, and advocacy for the babies and families we serve. Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by reflecting on the difference we make in the lives of others, one moment at a time.

Thank you to our incredible NANT community for showing up, caring deeply, and making every moment matter. 💙

01/16/2026

💜 NANT 16 Pre-Con Spotlight: Nurturing with AMOR 💜

At NANT 16, Elaine McMahon and Dr. Lise Johnson from the Brazelton Institute will guide an interactive workshop on the Infant AMOR framework—Autonomic, Motor, Organisation of State, and Responsivity. This session shows how relationship-based, neuroprotective care can transform neonatal practice.

Through guided video observations and practical examples, you’ll learn how every interaction, no matter how small, can support an infant’s developing brain, emotional regulation, and parent-infant bond. The AMOR framework gives you tools, a shared language, and reflective insight to bring meaningful, relationship-focused care to the bedside.

✨ Moments matter—this session along with many other NANT 16 presentations will help you make the most of each one.

Curious about the NANT Conference in Arlington on April 16–18, 2026? Learn more about the venue and agenda here: https://nantconference.com/agenda/

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01/15/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the NANT Launch Class of 2025! 🎉

What a joy it has been to walk alongside this incredible group through the Launch Leadership Program. Your commitment to growth, reflection, and showing up fully for yourselves and others has been inspiring to witness.

You’ve spent the past months building leadership skills you can carry into every space you serve. Your voices, perspectives, and courage to lead from where you are matter deeply to this community.

We are so proud of you and excited to see how you continue to lead with intention, confidence, and heart. 💛

01/14/2026

💡 Behind the Scenes of NANT 16 💡

NANT conference leadership met in Arlington to walk the site, plan the agenda, and brainstorm all the details for NANT 16. Months of planning, collaboration, and coffee-fueled meetings go into making this annual conference possible—and we love every minute of it!

Seeing it all come together and knowing the impact it has on our NICU community makes it all worth it. This conference is for you, for the incredible work you do, and for every meaningful moment in the lives of the babies and families we serve. 💙

We can’t wait to see you there!

01/13/2026

We’re thrilled to see that so many of you are as excited as we are about this pre-conference session. It’s filling up quickly – jump in now if interested!

https://neonataltherapists.org/nant16precon1

Airway pathology in neonates presents complex challenges that intersect the domains of breathing, feeding, and early communication development. Join us for this preconference session at NANT 16.

01/12/2026

🌟 Membership has its perks 🌟

Being a NANT Member also means saving on the resources and experiences that matter most.

Members receive discounted pricing on our annual conference and select products—making it easier to stay connected, supported, and engaged in your NICU practice.

It’s our way of investing back into the community and advancing the neonatal therapy profession.

📲 Learn more & join: https://neonataltherapists.com/membership/

01/09/2026

📣 Last Day to Nominate for 2026 Awards 📣

Today is the final day to submit your nominations for the Excellence in Clinical Practice and Excellence in Research Awards.

If you’ve been thinking about someone who brings skill, heart, and steady dedication to neonatal therapy, now is the time to recognize them. You can also nominate yourself.

These awards celebrate therapists who move our field forward through strong clinical work or meaningful research, and the impact of these efforts is felt every day in our NICU work.

Nominations close tonight.

We look forward to honoring our award recipients at NANT 16.

01/08/2026

🌟 Teamwork in the NICU: Why It Matters More Than Ever 🌟

Strong family–staff partnerships in the NICU don’t just happen—they’re built through intentional teamwork, communication, and support. In a recent study by Guttmann et al. (2025), NICU staff reported that communication challenges, infrequent visits, and parental distress can strain relationships, whereas the presence at the bedside, positive interactions, and engagement in care help strengthen them.

Key takeaways from the study:
🤝 Interprofessional communication strengthens collaboration. Ongoing team training elevates these essential skills.
📝 Trauma-informed care ensures families feel seen, supported, and understood.
🩺 Primary care models and structured team–family meetings build trust and clarity.

There’s still important work ahead to strengthen family-centered communication, team cohesion, and psychosocial supports across the NICU.

🗣️Neonatal therapists can exemplify effective teamwork by using intentional communication, championing trauma-informed and family-centered principles, and facilitating meaningful parent–infant interactions at the bedside.

Stronger communication → stronger teamwork → stronger support for families. 🤝

📖 Reference:
Guttmann, K., Belkin, E., Deming, R., Lerou, P. H., & Grunberg, V. A. (2025). Challenges and Solutions to Building Family-Staff Relationships in the NICU: A Qualitative Study. Hospital Pediatrics, e2024008304. https://ow.ly/3cVn50XLN44

01/07/2026

✨ Meet Our NANT 16 Keynote Speaker ✨

We are honored to welcome Terrie Inder, MD, as our keynote speaker for NANT 16. Her opening session, Therapeutic Intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit The Power of Therapy in Modifying Outcomes, sets the stage for the WHY behind our theme ‘Moments Matter’

Dr. Inder will walk us through the factors that shape neurodevelopment in high-risk infants, the types of brain injuries often seen in the NICU, and how thoughtful therapeutic approaches can support the growing brain. She will also discuss how the intensive care environment influences development and how targeted interventions can create positive change for infants and families.

This is a session that you will not want to miss!

💛 Register today for NANT 16 in Arlington, TX: https://nantconference.com/registration-open/

01/06/2026

✨ Why NANT 16 Matters ✨

There is nothing quite like the energy of the NANT Annual Conference. Our community brings heart, purpose, and a shared commitment to the babies and families we serve.

Here is what Suzanne S. Schneider, MS, CCC/SLP, NTMTC, CNT had to say about her experience:

“NANT never fails to deliver! I felt re-energized every moment of the conference. It is empowering to be surrounded by incredible professionals who share the vision of improving the lives of infants and families. Thank you for all you do and continue to do to support neonatal therapists!”

Stories like Suzanne’s remind us why this gathering is so special.
If you have been waiting for the right time to join us, this is it. We would love to see you at NANT 16.

💛 Registration today: https://nantconference.com/registration-open/