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Anticipatory Guidance
Parental Mental Health

ADAPTING to the NEW NORMAL and COPING with COMPLICATED EMOTIONS

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common and normal. Many families might not know that a NICU experience or traumatic birth can have a dramatic impact on their mental health.

We can help parents and caregivers understand and cope with complicated emotions. 

We promote infant-parent mental health when we provide families with strategies they can use and connect them with supportive resources (i.e. national hotlines, neighborhood support groups) in their communities.

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Parental Mental Health

  • Parents should be advised about typical, anticipated emotional responses.

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  • Facilitate family’s understanding of possible post-discharge mental health issues related their infant’s birth, NICU stay, and continuing medical and developmental needs.

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  • Pediatricians play an important role and need to be aware of the unique mental health needs of NICU families. Remind families that their baby's providers should ask about how the family is adapting and coping.

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  • All families need to be aware of the effects of trauma. Talk about the impact of post-traumatic stress and their increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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What will things look like when we go home?

Understanding baby's cue

How to console an infant... and what to do when the crying doesn't stop

Preparing for emergencies and staying safe

Adapting to the "new normal" and
coping with complicated emotions

Managing medical bills and the "hidden costs" of the NICU

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