Primary Care Intervention

When time and resources allow, pediatric providers can offer parents in low-risk situations office-based interventions. Components of most office-based interventions include:

• Explanation and open dialogue with the mother and family to help reduce stigma, normalize the stress faced by new families, and ultimately, foster early identification of those who may need additional resources (“demystification”)
• Communication about the potential impact on the infant and need for infant screenings and surveillance;
• initial and ongoing support, which includes providing validation and empathy for the mother’s experiences and identifying community resources to promote family wellness
• Reinforcement, when necessary, through referrals to evidence-based treatment programs. Referrals may take the form of a mental health provider for the parent or lactation support for the mother.

For more interventions and how to manage high-risk situations and referrals, see the AAP Technical Report Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice.