Late onset sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit, and it is frequently acquired from the environment. Infant- and family-centered developmental care, which involves skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and continuous parental participation in the care, is an effective infection prevention strategy. Kangaroo mother care, including skin-to-skin contact supports the development of a diverse skin microbiome, distinct from that of the hospital environment. Breastmilk further contributes to infection prevention and immune system development through multiple mechanisms. Parental involvement may improve the safety and quality of care delivery by hospital staff. In summary, parents play an important role in infection prevention in the neonatal intensive care unit. The risks of not including parents in the care of their infants should be further considered both in research and clinical practice.