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Parents' mental health

Having a premature baby or sick baby can have a huge impact on your mental health. Our information is always informed by working with families. To produce this information, we spoke to Black families who told us about their experiences of neonatal care. This research is included throughout.

Facing away from the camera, Dad puts arm around Mum in a caring way whilst looking at baby in an incubator surrounded by two health professionals
Mum standing by incubator in low light, looking at her baby and away from the camera

Looking after your mental health on the unit

Looking after yourself, your relationships, and your other needs can help to support your mental health on the neonatal unit.
Dad in foreground looking away from camera towards Mum who is sitting holding and looking at her twins in her arms

How you might be feeling as a parent/ carer

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed is not unusual for parents on the neonatal unit. Find out more about common mental health challenges that parents face when…
Woman holding her baby in a hospital setting

Who to talk to about your mental health

We know that many parents struggle with their mental health after having a premature baby or sick baby on the neonatal unit. Find out more about who you can talk to…
A nurse on the neonatal unit supporting two parents sitting down on chairs with Father holding and looking at his baby,

Getting support from mental health…

Getting support with your mental health from a professional can help. This section looks at some of the different types of professional mental health support you can…
Parent looking away from the camera being supported by a friend looking towards them

How to support others with their mental…

Supporting someone who has a premature or sick baby can be difficult. You might not always know what to do or say. Here are some ideas for what to do if you’re worried…
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Black parents’ mental health

We know that Black families experience neonatal care differently and that mental health doesn’t look the same for everyone. This page is specifically to support Black…
Mum sitting down looking away from the camera reaching into the incubator with both hands, holding her baby and looking at eye level. A nurse is standing next to her looking into the incubator

Information for healthcare professionals on…

It can be hard to know how best to help parents who are struggling with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We also know that access to mental health services…
Mum standing looking into incubator at her baby who is wearing an eye mask. She is reaching through the incubator to comfort her baby.

What parents told us through our mental…

Bliss ran a survey of parents who have had a baby or babies on a neonatal unit. We asked them about how the experience impacted their mental health.

Last reviewed: May 2025. Next review date: May 2028

Written with neonatal families and reviewed by healthcare professionals

If you have any feedback about this page, please email: [email protected]