This issue is the last for the 25th Anniversary Year for the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing. This has been a celebratory year starting with the Bereavement issue, continuing with the 25th Anniversary issue and the Complications issue and finishing with Selected Topics. The perinatal section offers 2 manuscripts for this issue.
Robinson et al examine prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and infant feeding decisions among African American women using a mixed method approach. A prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale was used to determine differences between intended breastfeeders and formula users.
Lachat et al review the evidence to date as well as the relevance of prevention strategies for periodontal disease in pregnancy. In addition, they offer guidelines for good oral health in pregnancy and specific ways in which nursing professionals can help pregnant women improve oral health.
The selected topics for the neonatal section of this issue focus on bereavement, a research study on parent visiting with an emphasis on father visitation, evidence-based infant feeding and a book review.
Gibson, Finney, and Boilanger describe the journey of developing a neonatal intensive care unit bereavement program. Recognizing the complex nature of infant death and the impact on parents, families, and healthcare professionals in the nursery, a comprehensive approach of raising awareness, education and training, fund raising, and personal commitment was undertaken to transform a unit's approach to supporting families and staff. The goal of the program, for families to "experience the highest quality bereavement care by the most compassionate caregivers following the death of their infant" grew out of a personal staff experience, mentoring and sharing among bereavement coordinators, a commitment to ongoing learning, and a clear passion. Case studies augment and personalize the described journey.
Garten, Maass, Schmalisch, and Buhrer present their study on the frequency and duration of parental visits to see their preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units during the neonatal period. They considered relationships to medical and sociodemographic variables and subsequent outpatient follow-up examinations. Their findings showed a significant decrease in frequency, but not duration, over time. Of particular interest, was the finding that the average frequency and duration of visits per day were consistently lower for fathers than for mothers. The authors make some suggestions for increasing paternal involvement.
Preterm infant feeding has advanced from an unskilled part of care to an evidence-based, individualized process in recognition of the level of neurobehavioral integration required of the infant. Ross and Philbin have contributed two manuscripts for this issue on oral feeding of preterm and other ill and fragile infants that are the CE topic for the issue. Their approach, called the "Supporting Oral Feeding of Fragile Infants," is detailed with text, algorithms, and reference guides and should be of value to nurses, therapists, and other caregivers in the nursery.
Price-Douglas offers a thorough review of the book Preemie Parents: 26 Ways to Grow With Your Premature Baby by Tami C. Gaines. This thoughtful and careful review will inform readers and allow them to consider this as a recommendation for the families in their care.
-Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC
Perinatal Editor
-Susan Bakewell-Sachs, PhD, RN, PNP-BC
Neonatal Editor