Artículo 4 – Padres e hijos prematuros en las unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales: Una oportunidad para generar padres confiados, interacciones sensibles y bebés seguros

PARENTS AND PREMATURE CHILDREN IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS: AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE CONFIDENT PARENTS, SENSITIVE INTERACTIONS AND SAFE BABIES

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy is a biological and psychological event with profound repercussions on the life of the mother and the couple. During pregnancy, psychological processes take place (from cognitive to emotional) at the service of the mother’s affective bond with her child. Understanding these processes is essential to properly understand and care for the event of preterm birth.

The birth of a premature child is often a stressful event for the parents and the family. The babies stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can and should be considered as an opportunity to provide sensitive emotional and affective care to babies but also to parents. Early affective experiences shape the brain architecture and are the genesis of the child’s mind, of his psychological being. NICU professionals must have the necessary strategies to promote psychological care and sensitive interactions between parents and their children. These sensitive interactions will increase parents’ competencies to feel secure in their role as primary caregivers and to promote a secure attachment bond in their children.

Parents who are safe and confident in their upbringing and children who feel loved are one of the keys to a psycho-healthy and happy development.