Guided by a compassion- focused framework, our first task when a mother has a baby on NICU and has often experienced a traumatic birth is to help them feel safe, contained and looked after in a warm and nurturing environment. We try to meet mothers on the antenatal ward if they are anxious about delivery and what will happen to their baby once they arrive. We often visit them on the postnatal ward and spend time with them before they come to the unit or help facilitate early visiting. Our aim is to provide tailored psychological support from the very beginning if needed. Mothers and fathers can self- refer and are usually seen within a week. Our large NICU team of more than 200 nurses and doctors are sensitive to the emotional needs of parents and skilled at identifying when they may benefit from extra support. We also work together to help those who don’t wish to see a psychologist and discuss how best to meet their needs alongside caring for their baby. Our nurses form close relationships with parents and spend time hearing about their experiences. Spending 12 hours at a time with a family can allow them to build confidence and trust at a time of vulnerability, fear and uncertainty. We are acutely aware fathers have often witnessed and been involved in traumatic events and often face the agonising decision to leave their partner to accompany their baby to NICU. It is important to recognise their needs and give them a space where they don’t feel they have to ‘hold it all together’. NICU teams have a privileged role at being there for parents at a highly distressing time, and looking after their needs as well as those of their baby is part of a family-centred care philosophy. We take this role seriously and are looking to expand our training and services to meet the needs of every parent whose baby has a stay with us.