While in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) a social worker who specializes in perinatal social work may speak with you and your family.

• Social workers understand the impact having a hospitalized child has on all family members.
• They help the interdisciplinary team recognize cultural needs of families, i.e., language services, religious customs, rituals, traditions, beliefs.
• Social workers are a link between the family and medical team. They are an integral part of the interdisciplinary care team. They help families find their voice and navigate the complex CHOP N/IICU system.
• Social work services are available to all families.

Helping you support your baby

Social workers recognize that you, as a parent, are an essential part of the team. They can help you:

• Normalize, understand and express your emotional experiences
• Identify support systems and talk with you about your feelings
• Understand how your baby communicates
• Sort through difficult decision
• Find support in the hospital or your community
• Connect you with resources ( i.e., local housing, charitable organizations, March of Dimes website, CarePages)
• Adjust to the Hospital environment and inform you about available services
• Prepare for the needs of your child at discharge
• Be a parent to your baby
• Identify ways to cope including journaling, scrapbooking, parent-to-parent and online resources
• Celebrate your baby’s milestones
• Promote healthy/positive infant mental health