Citation

Crossling P, Brooker A, McGrath G. J. Reprod. Infant Psychol. 1988; 6(1): 41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02646838808404016

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Caring for psychiatrically disturbed mothers and their babies together is an area of psychiatric nursing which has its own particular rewards and difficulties. This paper describes a specialized Mother and Baby Unit with particular emphasis on the role of nurses in assessment and management of mothers and their babies. Risks such as violence and cross infection are dealt with briefly. The particular skills that nurses in this unit have developed in the assessment of the mother/baby relationship and the management of specific bonding difficulties are described in detail. The role of nursing staff in rehabilitation and possible future developments in the service are briefly discussed.