Foster families who care for infants with prenatal drug exposure: support during the transition from NICU to home.
Infants exposed prenatally to drugs and alcohol tend to enter the child welfare system at a younger age than many other foster children and often directly from the hospital following birth. This article examines three concepts from the postpartum family adaptation literature: transition to parenthood, maternal and paternal role identities, and attachment. It applies these concepts to the experiences of foster parents who care for infants with prenatal drug and alcohol exposure. Also reviewed are recommended strategies to promote development of the foster parent-infant relationship and to increase parental knowledge within the NICU setting and during the period of transition from hospital to home. Nurses within the NICU have a unique knowledge and experience of caring for infants in withdrawal. This knowledge needs to be shared beyond the hospital with community professionals, who may have limited training in infant health, mental health, or development.
Marcellus
Lenora
L
University of Alberta, Canada. smarcellus@telus.net
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States