Presentation Information

Supporting the Mental Health of Parents of Preterm and Late Preterm Babies

• Speaker: Heather Latiolais Eure , PhD, IBCLC, PMH-C
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU

Abstract:

Parental mental health has recently garnered the attention of media outlets, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders worldwide. In this presentation, I shed light on the particular mental health risks that parents of preterm and late preterm babies face. Parents of such babies experience health complications and infant feeding difficulties at a higher rate than their term counterparts; furthermore, they are thrust into their new identities as parents often much earlier than expected; all of these factors can exacerbate mental health challenges in this population.
Research illustrates a bidirectional relationship between parental mental health and breastfeeding success; consequently, feeding is a critical point of focus in the care of these dyads to improve the health of both baby and parent. While the extent to which parental mental health can affect this specific population of infants is unclear, untreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADS) increase the risk of a host of problems from exacerbation of medical conditions to developmental delays.
Parents of preterm and late preterm babies therefore warrant targeted screening and specialized support. Learn how to take a family-centered approach to care which includes regular screening for PMADs and consistent support throughout the postpartum period.