Schizophrenia and safety of parenting of infants: a report from a U.K. mother and baby service.

We discuss clinical issues associated with parenting in mothers with severe mental illness, in particular the safety of parenting and risk to infants. We also examine some of the implications for a young child of having as primary carer a mother who suffers from a chronic and severe mental illness. Types of clinical presentation, and assessment and management are described, with illustrative case examples.