Interventions to support postpartum health and well-being of parents with infants in neonatal intensive care units: a scoping review

The postpartum period is particularly vulnerable for families with an infant in the NICU, where stress, separation, and parental health needs are common. This scoping review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifies interventions supporting the postpartum health and well-being of NICU parents. Electronic searches included articles from January 1, 2014, to April 18, 2024, published in English that included more than 20 participants from high-income countries. After duplicate removal, 4,799 abstracts were screened, and 87 articles met inclusion criteria via dual review. Interventions were grouped into six categories: postpartum physical and social care; mental health care; NICU design and technology; parent-infant interaction enhancement; family-centered care; and infant care and development education. Family-centered care, parent-infant interaction enhancement, and infant care education improved parental well-being. However, gaps remain regarding interventions focused on improving parental physical and mental health, signaling the need for studies addressing postpartum health in the NICU.