Are you a new parent? Are you feeling the weight? Feeling alone? There is no need to face the challenges of being a new parent alone — especially when that’s complicated with things like deployment and other military separations. Get the support you need!
Having a new baby in the house is a pleasure and a challenge for most parents. But for military families who are separated from extended family, parenthood can pose special concerns. To help parents cope with the challenges, the military has developed the New Parent Support Program (NPSP). The program helps parents — including expecting parents — develop the skills they need to provide a nurturing environment for their children.
The NPSP is easy to join — and available on most military installations. The program’s services are free to active-duty service members and their families. You can enroll through your installation’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) or Family Support Center. To find the NPSP nearest to you, go to the military installation locator at www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil and select “New Parent Support Program” from the drop-down menu of programs and services.
If you don’t live near a military installation, there are similar programs for new parents available in many locations. Ask your pediatrician for help finding a new parent support program in your community or call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647.
Program benefits
The NPSP provides information, support, and guidance to expecting families and families with young children. The NPSP can help parents:
- cope with stress
- manage the demands of parenting — and sometimes single parenting — when the service member is deployed
- build a support network
- provide a safe and nurturing environment for children
- find services in the local community
Types of support
The NPSP is staffed by nurses, social workers, or home visitation specialists. The program focuses on providing one-on-one support for expecting parents and new parents. However, some installations may offer parenting classes and groups. Services vary by service branch and by installation, but they can include:
- Home visits. Private, in-home support for new parents is the main focus of the NPSP. As a new parent, you may feel more comfortable asking questions and expressing your concerns about parenthood in the privacy of your own home.
- Hospital visits. Having a new baby is a challenge for most parents. Through the NPSP, a nurse or a social worker can visit you in the hospital to address issues such as breastfeeding, diapering, and infant care.
- Referrals to other resources. Sometimes you may need the assistance of additional services offered through the military health care system, your installation, or the local community. NPSP professionals can help you find and take advantage of those services that suit your needs best.
- Prenatal classes. Prenatal classes help parents know what to expect when the baby comes home from the hospital. Topics include feeding and nutrition, bathing, and preventive health care.
- Parenting classes. Hands-on classes for the parents of infants and toddlers focus on a variety of parenting issues, ranging from discipline to feeding. Some installations offer classes for new fathers, helping them adjust to life with a new baby and take an active role in parenting.
- Play groups. Structured activities in NPSP play groups help children improve their social and motor skills. The play groups also help new parents get to know one another and develop a support system within the military community.
