How Crisis Conditions Shape Preterm Birth

Dr. Charafeddine explains why parental mental health is not “extra”—it’s part of the care plan. Babies need nurturing caregivers to thrive, and caregivers need psychological, emotional, and social support to provide that care. While robust services like counseling, home visits, and referral pathways are often limited, costly, or inaccessible in fragile contexts, low-resource practices can still make a meaningful difference. We explore approaches like kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) and family-centered developmental care, and why strengthening the “ecosystem” around parents is foundational to improving outcomes for preterm infants.