Exhausted Parents: A Pediatrician’s Advice for Overwhelmed Moms & Dads

The exhaustion is palpable, pediatricians say. A consistent stream of parents are presenting at clinics across Finland, reporting feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated with the demands of raising young children. The trend, while anecdotal among practitioners, is prompting increased attention to parental wellbeing and the resources available to support families.

Mehiläinen, a private healthcare provider, reports a growing demand for its child health clinic services, which cater to newborns, school-age children, and their families. The clinic emphasizes individualized care, monitoring children’s health, development, and growth through regular check-ups. “At the child health clinic, we monitor children’s health, development, and growth through periodical check-ups at different ages, while promoting the well-being and health of the entire family and providing comprehensive support to families,” Mehiläinen states on its website.

The strain on parents isn’t solely a Finnish phenomenon. Paediatricians at Pikkujätti emphasize the importance of listening to both children and parents when assessing symptoms, recognizing that young children often cannot articulate their ailments effectively. “A paediatrician specialises in the health and well-being of children and young people,” Pikkujätti notes, adding that a key skill is “listening to both the child and the parents and tries to learn all they can about the symptoms.” The clinic encourages parents to seek paediatric assessment whenever they have concerns.

HUS, the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, incorporates family perspectives into its pediatric operations through a panel comprised of parents and individuals with lived experience. This panel contributes to the development and refinement of hospital procedures, aiming to better address the needs of families navigating the healthcare system. The HUS department includes six divisions: Tertiary Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Neurology, Child Psychiatry, and Digital and Innovation Services.

Mehiläinen as well offers specialized support services, including breastfeeding counselling with dedicated counsellors Saara Stenman, Inka Airo, Ida Fransman and Meri Haahtela. The company provides a Digital Child Health Clinic, offering 24/7 support from qualified midwives and nurses for a fee, either on a per-question basis or through a monthly subscription. This digital option aims to provide readily accessible guidance for common parenting concerns.

While the causes of parental exhaustion are multifaceted, the increased availability of specialized pediatric care and support services suggests a growing recognition of the challenges faced by families. Mehiläinen’s clinic is located in Töölö, Helsinki, at Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 17 A, 00260, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 010 414 4643.