Table 1 Types and minimum daily doses of sensory input across PMA defined in the SENSE program

23–27 weeks

1 h kangaroo care or gentle human touch

Quiet conversations; no additive auditory exposures

Scent cloth

Lights off; < 10 lux

2 mins free movement 1x/day

28–29 weeks

1 h kangaroo care, gentle human touch, or blanket holding

20 mins reading, singing, or speaking to baby (45 dB)

Scent cloth

Lights off; < 10 lux

2 mins free movement 2x/day

30–31 weeks

1 ½ hr. kangaroo care, gentle human touch, or blanket holding

30 mins reading, singing, or speaking to baby (45 dB)

Scent cloth

Lights off; < 10 lux

2 mins free movement 2x/day

32–33 weeks

2 h of kangaroo, gentle human touch, blanket holding, or massage

1 ½ hr of reading, singing, speaking to baby, or playing soft music or recorded voice (45 dB)

Scent cloth

Cycled light (lights on during the day; 25–100 lux and lights off at night; < 10 lux). Avoid direct and bright lights.

2 mins free movement 3x/day; Rocking for 2–3 mins

34–35 weeks

3 h of kangaroo, gentle human touch, blanket holding, or massage

2 h of reading, singing, speaking to baby, or playing soft music or recorded voice (45 dB)

Close parent contact

Cycled light (described above) and avoid direct and bright lights.

2 mins free movement 8x/day; Rocking for 3–7 mins

36+ weeks

3 h of kangaroo, gentle human touch, blanket holding, or massage

3 h of reading, singing, speaking to baby, or playing soft music or recorded voice (45 dB)

Close parent contact

Cycled light (described above) and avoid direct and bright lights. Focus/follow face (12–18″ away).

2 mins free movement 8x/day; Rocking for 7 mins