What We Do
Families’ Bridge to Caring Hands strives to increase support for potential parents of infants in the NICU in order to bridge the gap in bonding. We utilize an evidence-based approach to educate Antepartum, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Lactation, and NICU nurses about how to maximize support for potential NICU parents. The initial reaction of parents, when they first see their infant in the NICU setting, is often one of fear and sadness, which can disrupt the normal bonding process of families. Parents of preterm infants can experience increased instances of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can ultimately result in poor outcomes for the infant, and for parental bonding. Parents often struggle during the NICU admission process because they lack the knowledge of what to expect during their infant’s NICU hospitalization.
In order to decrease parental stress and facilitate bonding, Families’ Bridge to Caring Hands educates perinatal and NICU nurses about how to best educate potential parents of infants in the NICU. One of the best ways to counteract the stress which parents may experience when their infant is in the NICU is through ongoing education prior to the infant’s NICU admission about bonding promotion, early initiation of breastfeeding, and family centered care. Promotion of bonding and family centered care within, and outside of the NICU setting, allows for the family to be incorporated in decision-making, promotes improved attachment, empowers parents, and supports the family’s overall emotional well-being.
To find out how to get the program at your hospital contact us today.
The Families’ Bridge to Caring Hands® team selects evidence-based materials that patients can access through a secure and safe password-protected portal.
- Accessible via phone, tablet or laptop
- Features podcasts, videos, infographics
- English/Spanish content
Optional: Virtual communication through a portal link directly to the Nurse Navigator
Our Patient Portal
The NICU Nurse Navigator
We teach hospital-based NICU Nurse Navigators to guide families individually through their antepartum journeys in tandem with our educational patient portal. This one-on-one support and improved staff-parent communication allows parents to better focus on the infant’s care post-delivery.
Members of our team provide Nurse Navigator training. Education includes class instruction, role play, use of the Families’ Bridge patient portal and website, as well as guided practice with patient learning situations.
To find out how to get the program at your hospital contact us today.
Benefits of Our Program
- Improves the patient’s experience
- Creates meaningful connections with the NICU care team
- Decreases maternal anxiety
- Promotes exclusive breast milk feedings
- May decrease length of stay and support earlier discharge from NICU
- Hospital-based and therefore budget friendly