Family-centered care (FCC) has become the normative practice in Neonatal ICUs across North America. Over the past 25 years, it has grown to impact clinician-parent collaborations broadly within children’s hospitals as well as in the NICU and shaped their very culture. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the gains made over the past decades have been challenged by “visitor” policies that have been implemented, making it difficult in many instances for more than one parent to be present and truly incorporated as members of their baby’s team. Difficult access, interrupted bonding, and confusing messaging and information about what to expect for their newborn can still cause them stress. Similarly, NICU staff have experienced moral distress. In this perspective piece, we review those characteristics of FCC that have been disrupted or lost, and the many facets of rebuilding that are presently required.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Continuity of care is vitally important and allows families to feel safe and supported in a frequently changing environment. Mental health services across perinatal/neonatal settings can address parental mental health concerns, infant development, and infant–parent relationships. Although an integrated behavioral health clinician is the preferred model, at minimum a consult/liaison behavioral health clinician (BHC) is recommended in order to adequately meet the needs of infants and their parents across the continuum of care. All fetal care centers, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and NICU follow-up clinics should have a BHC who can develop programming that supports the patient experience and evaluates program outcomes through research and quality improvement projects. The push for BHCs in these settings is central to ensuring the highest potential is reached for infants and families alike.