Serving infants and families affected by maternal cocaine abuse: Part 1.
Nurses must become aware of the high number of women affected by substance abuse during the childbearing years and the related health consequences. Health care providers also need to develop and maintain a positive attitude toward mothers who use cocaine, assess the needs of each individual mother and her infant, and become familiar with a wide range of available resources to address the identified needs of these multirisk families. Finally, nurses can assist families with a history of maternal cocaine use by supporting the development of appropriate parenting skills. Part 2 will describe strategies for nurses to work with mothers and children in the next issue of Pediatric Nursing.