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Correspondence to Author: Mariana Meneses & Sílvia Duarte Costa 

Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Rua Dr. Eduardo Torres, 4464-513 - Matosinhos, Portugal

Abstract:

Health, relationships and bonding between parents and infants are at risk when preterm babies need intensive care for extended periods, affecting child’s development and parental mental health. Pedro Hispano Hospital Neonatal Team trough “VIP neo project”, uses bonding hearts and NICU diaries to address these issues. Parents of newborns admitted to NICU between May and October 2022 were included. They reported enhanced self-assurance and reduced anxiety (94.1%) using NICU diaries and 17.2% reported use by other family members. Similarly, fostered connection (83.3%) and reduced anxiety (75%) was described with bonding hearts. Furthermore,83.3% of parents felt that their newborns were more peaceful. Interestingly, 91.7% of mothers and 66.7% of fathers could identify their baby’s scent. This project shows promise in promoting parental involvement, attachment and infant-parent well-being using creative interventions and cutting-edge resources that can provide a template for enhancing family support in NICUs, tackling the difficult journey of preterm birth.

Keywords:

neonatology; diary; parent-child relation; NICU; parents; emotional ADJUSTMENT; BONDING

Citation:

Mariana Meneses & Sílvia Duarte Costa. A strong start: The benefits of coping strategies for neonatal intensive care unit families. Journal of Clinical Pediatrics 2024.