Background: Parents play a crucial role in the care of infants during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Recent studies have reported a decrease in parental participation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has led to restricted access policies in hospitals. The aim of this study was to describe the barriers to good parental participation during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit in the COVID-19 era. Methods: This was a quantitative, observational study. Results: A total of 270 parents participated in this study. Mothers’ participation in care was higher than that of fathers (p = 0.017). Parents who lived at the birth of their first child reported a better level of participation in care compared to those who lived at the birth of their second-born (p = 0.005). Parents of extremely preterm neonates reported a lower interaction with their infants than parents of term newborns (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Some disadvantaged categories reported lower scores for cultural and linguistic minorities, parents of multiple children, and fathers. The COVID-19 pandemic has made several family-centred care activities impossible, with a higher impact on those who benefited most of these facilities. This study was prospectively approved by the IRB-CRRM of the University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara on 23 January 2024 (approval number CRRM: 2023_12_07_01).

Background: During the stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, parents play a crucial role in the care of their infants. Recent studies reported a decrease in parental participation due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic that determined restricted access policies in hospitals. The aim of this study is to describe the barriers to a good parents’ participation during the stay in the neonatal intensive care unit in the COVID-19 era. Methods: A quantitative observational study was carried out. Results: 270 parents participated in this study. Mothers’ participation in care seems to be higher as compared to fathers (p = 0.017). Parents who lived the birth of their first child reported a better level of participation in care when compared to those who lived the birth of their second born (p = 0.005). Parents of extremely preterm neonates reported a lower interaction with their infant if compared to parents of term newborns (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Some more disadvantaged categories have reported lower scores: cultural and linguistic minorities, parents of multiple children and fathers. COVID-19 pandemic made several Family Centred Care activities not possible with a higher impact on those who benefited the most of these facilities. This study was prospectively registered by the IRB-CRRM of the University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara on the 23/01/2024 with registration number CRRM;2023_12_07_01.

Background/Objectives: Transition from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home involves emotional adjustment and increasing parental responsibility for infant care. This study explored parents’ experiences of this transition, focusing on emotional experiences, perceived continuity of care, and support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study included 38 parents representing 34 preterm or medically complex infants discharged from a single NICU in an Italian tertiary children’s hospital. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted within 12 months of discharge, audio-recorded, and transcribed in Italian. Predominantly inductive thematic analysis examined shared meanings and variations across parents’ retrospective interview accounts. Recruitment was time-limited; neither saturation nor information power was formally assessed. Results: Four themes were developed: returning home with joy as the focus of fear changes; being with the infant and learning to provide care; remaining in contact without always feeling accompanied; and receiving support while needing space for parental distress. Joy and apprehension could coexist, with some parents describing relief or a shift from fear for the infant’s health to concerns about independent caregiving. Useful practical instruction did not always translate into feeling prepared, while continuing professional contact could coexist with gaps in coordination between services. Staff, family, and peer support were valued alongside requests for dedicated attention to parental distress. Conclusions: Parents’ accounts highlighted the importance of support responsive to individual needs throughout the transition. Priorities for service development include supported participation in care, individualized discharge preparation, coordination across hospital and community services, and access to psychological support.