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N/IICU Social Work

N/IICU Social Work

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
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