NASCEND

Technology-enhanced training & certification for healthcare systems to improve outcomes for OEI.

02/28/2026

Fact! Common behaviors such as back arching, tongue thrusting, or frequent yawning are not always benign—they can be stress cues signaling overstimulation.
Infants with NOWS are particularly susceptible to overstimulation due to the impact of substance exposure on the central nervous system.
Providers should help parents recognize these cues early, so they can respond appropriately and confidently care for their infant after discharge.

02/21/2026

MYTH 🍼 Turning a baby’s head to the side during feeding isn’t automatically unsafe but it can reduce feeding efficiency and make feeds longer.
For infants with NAS, efficiency is key. These babies may tire quickly or struggle to stay calm, making it harder to meet their nutritional needs.

02/17/2026

As infants transition from the NICU to home, parents must be prepared to provide safe, independent care. Safe feeding begins with proper positioning:

• Head maintained in midline
• Slight elevation, as clinically indicated
• Arms and legs supported close to midline

Structured, consistent instruction — including the “why” behind each practice — builds caregiver competence and supports safe care at home.

01/31/2026

Contrary to popular belief, the DSM-5 does not list “using a substance first thing in the morning” as a diagnostic criterion for substance use disorder (SUD). Instead, the DSM-5 focuses on patterns such as impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological indicators like tolerance and withdrawal.

01/22/2026

Minimizing NOWS symptoms is key to supporting infants in feeding effectively and comfortably.

When an infant is acutely symptomatic or highly disorganized, feeding can become more stressful than helpful, potentially worsening NOWS or creating feeding aversions.

Using strategies like galvanized feeding can help reduce weight loss while supporting positive feeding experiences and overall growth.

12/20/2025

Each year, we gather with the people who make NASCEND possible to celebrate our accomplishments, say thank you, and look ahead with excitement for what’s next. We had an incredible holiday celebration filled with beautiful art, meaningful connections, and plenty of cheer. We’re so grateful for this community!

12/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our presentation yesterday at PedsUniversity Hot Topics in Neonatology 2025.

CEO, K. Dawn Forbes, MD presented new findings showing that Forbes AssessPro, her point-of-care assessment and treatment web application, is helping ensure opioid-exposed infants receive better assessment, better care and better outcomes..

“Presenting our AssessPro data was a powerful reminder of why this work matters and how deeply the neonatal community cares about improving OEI outcomes.”

If you’re here at Hot Topics, visit us at booth 18. We’d love to talk through the data and connect.

12/07/2025

How much can digital health improve care for infants experiencing Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)?

At NASCEND, we continue to develop digital tools that enable clinicians to make more informed assessments, reduce care variation and support improved outcomes for families. Our latest evaluation reveals significant progress as these tools are applied in real-world clinical settings.

We’re looking forward to sharing the full findings at PedsUniversity Hot Topics in Neonatology 2025 and connecting with others committed to improving care for opioid-exposed infants.

11/29/2025

Fact! “Lipophilic” means these medications get stored in the body’s fat and are released slowly over time. Because of that, babies exposed to substances like methadone or buprenorphine may show withdrawal symptoms later, and those symptoms can last longer. The type of drug a baby is exposed to really matters, because it affects how and when withdrawal shows up.

The more we understand these differences, the better we can care for these babies and support the families who love them.

11/25/2025

Did You Know? 💡
Research shows that some preschool-aged children with prenatal exposure to methadone or buprenorphine may experience:

Short attention span
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Short-term memory challenges

Medication treatment during pregnancy is the recommended approach for individuals with opioid use disorder, as it helps reduce the risks associated with untreated substance use. At the same time, it’s important for parents and caregivers to have clear, supportive information about what to expect for their child.

Being informed helps families notice early signs of behavioral differences and access support or early intervention services when needed. Understanding what to watch for empowers caregivers and helps children thrive.

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Louisville, KY
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http://www.nascend.com/, https://linktr.ee/nascend

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The New Paradigm of Care for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Each year, an estimated 15% of infants are affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, illicit drugs or other substances. That means 1 infant is born every 15 minutes requiring treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) resulting in an aggregate cost of care of more than $2.5 billion. NASCEND is transforming the experience of NAS with technology, live virtual and in-person training, evidence-supported guidelines, and family-focused intervention. NASCEND helps healthcare professionals engage with expectant mothers and families as early as the 1st trimester, deliver improved in-hospital newborn care, and continue developmental and nutritional follow up for the first three year’s of the child’s life. Our results are life changing. Infants supported with NASCEND’s continuum of care are less likely to be admitted to the NICU, are treated with comfort care measures instead of medication, and spend less time in the hospital. NASCEND’s approach to caring for substance exposed infants significantly reduces the cost of care with a per patient savings of nearly $40,000 as well as a better experience for families and healthcare providers.