New mothers who participated in the pilot of the University of Minnesota’s 40-Day Project report that it was helpful and provided support during an important time in their new role as parents.
The 40-Day Project promotes mental well-being and social support for new parents before birth and during the first five weeks after birth. The program currently serves Somali and Latinx parents and was created by a partnership of University of Minnesota extension educators, child development specialists, health providers, and members of the Somali and Latinx community.
“In many cultures outside of the United States, there are traditions and help for a new mother during the first 40 days after giving birth,” said Cari Michaels (MNLEND 2021-22) an extension educator who partnered with the Institute’s TeleOutreach Center to develop the pilot as part of her Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MNLEND) fellowship.
“In the Somali culture, the community gathers around a birthing parent and community members do the cooking, the cleaning, and help to take care of the children,” Michaels said. “The job of the new mother is to rest and recover.”
This type of support for new parents is often absent in the United States. Michaels and members of the 40-Day team heard from new Somali mothers that this lack of support made them feel even more isolated in their new homeland.
This program is modeled after Afartan bax, the 40-day celebration after birth in Somali culture. The 40-Day Project includes in-person meetings, education materials, online resources, and daily text messages. Currently, materials are offered in Somali and English, and Spanish materials are available on the program’s Spanish website .
The materials offer education and support on topics such as postpartum care, mental well-being, self-care, building social networks, and navigating the parenting journey.
Munira Salad is a 40-Day Project team member and a public health specialist for the city of Bloomington, Minnesota. Salad said participants appreciated having a space to connect with other new mothers. “During the sessions, participants openly shared personal stories and experiences; there was a real sense of vulnerability and trust in the group.”
Meeting New Parents Where They Are
One of the goals of the 40-Day Project is to meet new parents where they are and not overwhelm them with too much information.
“The text message campaign is a bite-sized way to educate and support new parents,” Michaels said. “When parents sign up, they will receive a text message around 5 o’clock every evening. It could be a message with a little bit of education or an affirmation with a link to provide support for a new parent.”
The pilot serving the Somali and Latinx communities was small, but there are plans to expand the program. The project’s next phase will focus on training new facilitators within the communities served, so the program can expand to meet demand. The 40-Day organizers are also working on offering the text messaging program in Spanish.
“Some of my colleagues are working with members of the birth justice movement in the African-American community,” Michaels said. “This group is already very strong and active, and the 40-Day Project would like to collaborate with them.”
Members of the 40-Day Project hope the success of this pilot will help highlight the importance of helping families in the very early stages of a child and parent forming a bond.
Now that the pilot study is complete, an upcoming facilitator training will equip Somali and Latinx providers to deliver the 40-Day Project curriculum within their own communities. The project team looks forward to reaching more parents across Minnesota and spreading the word about the importance of mental well-being support during this 40-day postpartum period.
View Original Article: https://z.umn.edu/b8dy
