Empowering NICU Parents Podcast Supporting Infant Mental Health in the NICU

Have you ever heard the term infant mental health? On this podcast episode, we discuss how you, as a parent or caregiver of an infant, can positively shape and support a baby’s early social and emotional skills so they are able to build long-lasting connections in the future! You will not want to miss this episode if you are a NICU parent or member of the NICU care team – it is one of my favorite episodes we’ve done so far!

On today’s podcast, I am joined by Katie Ross, a Certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life.

We discuss infant mental health, what it actually means, and how it applies to our high risk NICU population. We as NICU caregivers in close collaboration with the parents have the ability to positively change the trajectory of the developmental outcomes for our NICU babies. Katie and I are both very passionate about parental involvement and engagement. Together, we discuss tips and offer words of encouragement for parents and NICU care team members on ways we can support, educate, and empower NICU parents to become actively engaged in their infant’s daily cares including skin-to-skin care!

The theme we focus on is simplicity! Plain and simple, parents of a NICU baby need to be involved, they are the therapy for their infant! Tune in to learn ways we can all work together to foster and encourage parental support and involvement! Studies have shown that parental engagement actually influences the neurobiology of the infant’s brain and promotes physiological changes in the parents as well – meaning, with parental contact during skin-to-skin care, levels of oxytocin increase which reduces stress and facilitates increased feelings of comfort and attachment, and leads to positive physiological stability in both the baby and the parents! So please, do not underestimate your role as parents, even if your baby is in the NICU! Continue listening as we educate, guide and empower you to work through your grief, trauma, and fear so you can simply love on your baby.

Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/

Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.com

Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode26

Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/

Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

Empowering NICU Parents Podcast

A podcast specifically meant to educate and empower NICU parents as they endure their baby’s NICU journey. We provide you with tangible tips and support from my unique perspective as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) and a proud preemie Mama! Along with sharing answers to the NICU medical questions you have, Nicole will address and support you through the incredibly difficult emotional struggles that only a NICU parent can understand. Tune in and subscribe today!

To start 2024 out, our first episode focuses on marijuana use, its impact on pregnancy, the growing fetus and the child’s future development, as well as the implications of its use during breastfeeding.

Who would have thought that in 2024, we would be living in a time where marijuana use is so prominent and that it would be legal in 24 states as of January of 2024?!?

But, nonetheless, here we are! Because marijuana has been legalized in so many states, there are now false evolving perceptions on its general safety as well as its implications on the developing fetus and infant who are exposed to it either in utero or through breastmilk. In general, the perception of harm from marijuana is decreasing while the potency of marijuana is scarily increasing. Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug during pregnancy in the United States. And, its use in gaining speed amongst all adult age groups, in both sexes, and in pregnant women.

For our 56th episode, I reviewed the most up-to-date literature and will share the findings from several studies that reveal both short and long-term negative effects on the pregnant mother and developing fetus if used during pregnancy, and its future implications on the growing infant, child, and their transition into the teenage years, and as an adult after prenatal exposure. I will also point out the general concentration of marijuana in breast milk if used by a nursing mother, as well as how long it stays in the breast milk, and how it may impact the exposed infant.

This episode is packed full of useful information and will be ideal for any healthcare worker or for family members and friends who care about a pregnant woman or nursing mother who is currently using marijuana and want to ensure that she is fully educated on the implications of its use on her growing fetus or infant. And last, but actually, the most important, I encourage ALL women who are either considering becoming pregnant or who are currently pregnant and use marijuana on a regular basis, to listen.

Although marijuana use is so prevelant, it is so crucial that we fully understand its potential impact on the fetus and the child’s future development if used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
You will not want to miss this one!

Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com

Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/

NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/

NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/

Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/

Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/

Episode 56 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode56

Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/

Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH