About the Course
Course Summary A NICU stay rewrites the first chapter of a baby’s life. Instead of lullabies, there are alarms. Instead of skin-to-skin, there are wires and masks. Bodies heal, but nervous systems remember. Parents carry their own marks too—grief, guilt, and the fear of getting too attached in case something goes wrong. And when discharge day finally comes, the anxiety often tags along for the ride home. In this session, we’ll sit with both stories. Two parents, Jaxon’s mom and dad, will take us inside their six-week NICU experience, sharing the messy mix of hope, hurt, and hospital humor it took to get through each day. We’ll talk about how early medical trauma shapes infant brain development and bonding, why a caregiver’s mental health is just as critical as oxygen saturation, and how professionals can keep showing up long after the monitors stop beeping. Learning Objectives: · Describe how early medical trauma in the NICU can impact infant brain development, stress regulation, and early attachment. · Explore the emotional and mental health experiences of parents navigating the NICU and transition home, including the unique perspectives of both mothers and fathers. · Identify ways professionals can support families during and after NICU discharge, including trauma-informed care that considers maternal health, prenatal experiences, and the transition to early parenting. Suggested Endorsement Competencies: Pregnancy and Early Parenthood | Infnat/ Young Child Development & Behavior | Relationship-focused Practice | Attachment, Separation, Trauma, Grief & Loss | Responding with Empathy | Screening and Assessment | Analyzing Information | Advocacy | Collaborating | Planning and Organizing | Service Delivery Systems | Community Resources This purchase will give you access to this course for 365 days and will provide you with 1 clock hour. This course is available to First3Years members at no additional cost. Please email [email protected] if you have questions about your membership.