As Infant Mental Health Awareness week returns, Togetherness have published new research on the impact of their free online learning resource for parents of babies receiving neonatal care. Presented this week at the 2024 World Association of Infant Mental Health Congress in Finland and published in the congress journal, the study of online learning outcomes highlights the positive improvements for parents.
As the congress spotlights the critical importance of mental wellbeing from the earliest stages of life, the attention is also on parent wellbeing and the importance of supporting early relationships. The online learning pathways, Understanding your preterm or sick baby, feature tailored versions for when in hospital and returning home and are available on the learning platform, togetherness.co.uk. Both pathways are designed with neonatal care specialists and psychologists to support parents to manage the emotional pressures of premature birth or early illness as well as to support them to care for and nurture their newborn.
Feedback from almost 200 parents’ responses shows significant improvements noted in feelings of calmness, support, hopefulness, usefulness, and closeness to their baby. The in-pathway feedback also showed:
- 92% of respondents found the course helpful
- 93% confirmed they would recommend it to others
- 15% of participants, who initially had low confidence, reported significant improvements after completing the pathway
For parents of premature or sick babies, the NICU period is especially significant for their new relationship and for nurturing emotional health. When a baby arrives prematurely or with health complications, parents often find themselves navigating a sea of practical information. Yet, the emotional aspect—how to bond with and support their baby—is often overlooked in a clinical context. These pathways address this gap by focusing on the emotional well-being of both parents and their babies.
In their feedback on the pathway, parents shared:
“The babies are not born yet but this pathway is making me feel a lot more confident about bringing them home and understanding what and when my babies needs anything.”
“I feel more bonded with my baby now after I have completed this pathway.”
“I have learned so many new things about my baby. This pathway is really helpful.”
Dr Hazel Douglas MBE, pathway co-creator and Director of Togetherness said: “Babies need relationships with loving caregivers from birth to grow and thrive. The NICU environment and additional physical health support needs can sometimes create a barrier for parents and we wanted to support them to understand how important they still are. These resources are designed to offer practical support for parents to learn new ways of connecting with their babies, to build their confidence and as a result look after their mental wellbeing and that of their new baby. It’s fantastic to see the difference this is making in the early feedback assessment.”
Available to all UK residents for free on www.togetherness.co.uk, pathway highlights include:
Understanding your preterm or sick baby in hospital
Developed by a team of clinical psychologists, child psychotherapists, and health visitors, this course incorporates expertise from professionals and insights from parents who have been through similar experiences.
Key stages include:
- Understanding where you are and what has happened
- Understanding your feelings in hospital
- Your safety bubble
- Understanding your baby in hospital
- Preparing for discharge home
Understanding your preterm or sick baby now you’re home
This course offers a blend of practical advice and developmental insights, covering topics such as feeding, sleeping, and crying. Crafted by clinical psychologists, child psychotherapists, health visitors, and parents with lived experience, it aims to foster a strong, connected relationship with the baby.
Key stages include:
- Adjusting to being at home with your baby
- Understanding your feelings about coming home
- Understanding your baby’s brain
- Understanding your baby’s feeding, crying and sleep patterns
Both pathways are available online for access any time, anywhere and are completely free to make them accessible to all parents, grandparents, and other carers. With translations in 108 languages and an English voiceover, the pathway ensures that vital information is accessible to a diverse audience.
Togetherness Team