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13 ways BBD’s employee assistance program supports new parents
By: Benefits by Design | Tuesday November 5, 2024
Updated : Monday November 4, 2024
Being a new parent can be both challenging and rewarding. Finding a way to balance all the new responsibilities while maintaining their health can be difficult. Fortunately, they don’t have to do it alone. There are all sorts of supports, including a professional expert for every stage of the perinatal journey.
New parents and the battle for wellbeing
The wellbeing of new parents, especially pregnant mothers, is known to be at risk. Both parents will experience sleep deprivation during and after birth, caused either by discomfort from the toll of growing a child, or from taking care of the newborn’s needs.
Generally, expecting and young parents do not have the time to be as physically active as their counterparts of the same age.
Both of these factors contribute to the development of mental health issues. In fact, “disruptions in sleep are associated with severity of depression symptoms in both new mothers and new fathers.”
Expecting mothers’ physical functions decline by about 35% in the third trimester. On top of that, postpartum depression or anxiety is reported by almost a quarter of new Canadian mothers, and affects one in every ten men.
Interestingly, while affluence has an effect on pre- and post-pregnancy health, during pregnancy these differences diminish, and all women experience poorer health status.
13 ways the People Connect Employee Assistance Program supports new parents
In the US, up to 75% of people with mental health symptoms during pregnancy do not receive treatment. While that number may be the same or lower in Canada, it harkens to the fact that many who need help don’t have access.
There is good news for new parents with access to the People Connect Employee Assistance Program (EAP). While the following list is not exhaustive, it shows the types of services that are available, and how they can help.
1. Counselling
Speaking with an unbiased professional about the many responsibilities and health concerns of being a new parent can help untangle the path forward. Counsellors can provide ways of coping with or solutions to a number of issues. Through the personalized matching questionnaire, individuals can match with a counsellor with specific expertise, for example: parenting, post-partum depression, infertility, and more.
The mental health of employees matters to small employers [Free download: 2024 EAP Report]
While the above service is more general in nature, options two through eight provide specialized care for new parents.
2. Antenatal nurses
Antenatal, antepartum and prenatal all mean before birth. An antenatal nurse can assist with education and support for parents both during and after pregnancy, during early infancy, parenthood, delivery, feeding, introduction to solids, and helping the child sleep.
3. Lactation consultants
Newborns require milk to grow their brains and bodies. A lactation consultant can help with more than just breastfeeding and the plethora of possible issues that can occur, such as mastitis or engorgement. They can also provide support for weaning, combination feeding, introduction to formula, milk pumping and proper storage.
4. Fertility and bereavement doulas
Trying to start a family can have its own set of concerns and worries. A fertility doula can help new parents get through fertility anxiety. Not all pregnancies come to term, however, and the grief of loss can be overwhelming. A bereavement doula can help parents manage their mental health after such a traumatic event. Post-partum depression is also something they can help with, even if the baby is healthy.
5. Registered dieticians
You are what you eat has a twist for newborns who are breastfeeding – they are what their mother or wet-nurse eats! Thus, it’s important to ensure the person providing the meals is also eating healthy. Registered dieticians are available who are experts in nutrition during pregnancy, plus lactation and postpartum nutrition.
6. Adult sleep coaches
As mentioned above, sleep plays a major role in the health of both parents. Sleep deprivation can quickly spiral into lack of physical activity and worsening mental health issues. An adult sleep coach can help with navigating sleep challenges during pregnancy, and sleep hygiene postpartum.
7. Life or career coaches
After parental leave, one or both parents usually must return to work. Yet adding a member to your family means big changes, routine disruptions, and a whole new set of protective urges. Specialized in navigating work/life balance and postpartum return to work, life and career coaches help new parents navigate their new world.
8. Car seat safety technicians
While it may not be something you think of until you have a child, setting up a car seat correctly can mean the difference between it working properly or not. A technician can provide instructions and confirm for new parents that they have indeed set up everything as specified.
Newborn babies and young children have many needs. While most are expected to be provided by the parents, there are some instances where a professional can help. The last five examples offer pediatric support.
9. Pediatric nurses
Without getting into too much detail, these nurses specialize in navigating pediatric illnesses, including infections, viruses, and hereditary diseases.
10. Pediatric sleep coaches
Just as new parents need help with sleep, so too do their young ones. Some babies have trouble learning how to fall asleep, others wake up far too many times in the night. A pediatric sleep coach can help discover the cause and suggest steps to a good night’s sleep.
11. Pediatric registered dieticians and nutritionists
Remember when mushrooms, garlic, and broccoli were the enemy? Pediatric dieticians and nutritionists can assist with not just picky eating, but also with education and support for infants starting solids, discovering food allergies or intolerances, digestive issues, and even eating disorders.
12. Orthopédagogues
We don’t recommend trying to pronounce that. Suffice to say that they play a very important role in the lives of children and their parents who need support for ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, learning difficulties, and even math.
13. Occupational therapists specialized in pediatrics
Every child is unique, and some may need extra assistance preparing for life’s many challenges. Pediatric occupational therapists can assist parents of children with ASD, sensory processing challenges, development of fine and gross motor skills, and school readiness.
The many health issues that can stem from pregnancy, especially for the person giving birth, are extensive. By utilizing the services available through the EAP, new parents can focus more on growing with their new child.
Looking for information on starting a family?
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