This RCT differs from previous trials in that it is conducted in the post - surfactant era [an intervention that has greatly changed clinical neonatology]. The number of infants required to demonstrate a clinically relevant outcome [Length of Hospital Stay] has been calculated a priori. The infants will be tracked for outcome data after transfer to peripheral nurseries [a reality in today's healthcare environment], allowing generalisability of results to other high risk, referral Neonatal Intensive Care units. Neurodevelopmental outcomes will be evaluated at 18 months; [these data are sparse from previous studies]. This RCT will therefore demonstrate whether NIDCAP based care is truly an effective intervention for the very low birth weight infant.