Thread by @LLLGB

#SarahJaneArchibald @JacintaCordwell are speaking now about Neonatal access restrictions during the pandemic: Implications for infant, parental and staff wellbeing. They will cover the neonatal context, covid restrictions & what has been learned #bfconf

.@JacintaCordwell: over 90000 neonatal admissions per year (about 1 in 7 babie born), 47% are born at 37+ weeks but may be admitted for maternal health reasons, need for surgery, jaundice, HIE etc. #bfconf

.@JacintaCordwell the challenges for babies, parents & staff are many. Babies are seprated, have mutiple caregivers. Levels of trauma, anxiety & depression are much higher for these families. Staff have less time & capacity to provide psychological support than they would like

.@JacintaCordwell: Covid19 restrictions had an impact parental mental health, relationships & co-parenting, bonding & attachment, parental confidene, expressing & breastfeeding and staff well-being #bfconf

.#SarahJaneArchibald their study surveyed parents & staff and reports 90% of NICU parents agreed access restrictions had a negative impact on their mood, 80% experienced increased anxiety #bfconf

.#SarahJaneArchibald parents spoke about covid restrictions limiting support from other family members, the mental health impact of not being able to visit their baby as much as they wanted, having to face the scary NICU environment alone #bfconf

#SarahJaneArchibald parents spoke about missing milestones, not being able to record those moments. 55% NICU parents extremely/very much agreed that restrictions had a significant impact on their ability to bond with their baby. They reported an impact on confidence on discharge

#SarahJaneArchibald one father missed birth, wasn't able to visit very ill baby for first 2 wks, struggled very with bonding with vulnerable baby even after discharge. Learning to care for his baby was weeks behind the baby's mother. Felt guilty for missing out, not being there

#SarahJaneArchibald 76% parents felt confidence reduced as a result of restrictions. Many described being unable to provide support to each other. Restrictions impacted on their communication with the neonatal team, understanding their baby's condition & decisionmaking on care

#SarahJaneArchibald access restrictions affected breastfeeding by interfering with timing & quantity of breastfeeds & expressing sessions. In pre-pandemic times breastfeeding was something NICU mums could contribute to their baby's care, help heal from difficult birth #bfconf

#SarahJaneArchibald staff voices: visiting restrictions had a significant impact on the wellbeing of parents, communication with parents was restricted, lots of backlash from parents. Very hard to develop relationships with parents #bfconf

#SarahJaneArchibald staff voices: heartbreaking to see parents walking away in tears knowing they wouldn't see their babies for another day, restrictions made it very hard for mums trying to establish breastfeeding, volume of expressed milk on the unit lower than before #bfconf

.@JacintaCordwell parental restriction at NICUs have been lifted but some remain for other family members. Important to hold in mind BOTH short & long term risks & benefits. Parents are not visitors, open access to both parents are essential. Attachment is a continuous process

@JacintaCordwell .@JacintaCordwell Mask-free or clear mask face to face interactions with their baby is important. Also provision of psychological support for families that need it (in hospital and once home). Provision of psychological support for staff also important #bfconf

#SarahJaneArchibald: it's important to signpost families for support once home - services such as Birth Afterthoughts, #PerinatalMentalHealth services, third sector organisations such as @Blisscharity @MindCharity @barnardos, local #MNVPs, bereavement services etc. #bfconf

@Blisscharity @MindCharity @barnardos Both #SarahJaneArchibald & @JacintaCordwell invite people to contac them to hear more #bfconf