In most adoptions, the baby is able to go home from the hospital with the adoptive family, but that’s not always the case. In those situations, Adoption Advocates offers cradle care to birth parents or expectant parents – and we usually get asked a variation of the same two questions: What is cradle care, and is it some sort of foster care?
What Is Cradle Care?
Cradle care, also called interim care, refers to temporary care provided to infants who have been separated from their birth parents, but are not ready to be placed in an adoptive home.
During cradle care, the infant’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met by the caregivers. The caregivers provide a stable and loving environment for the infant, which can help promote healthy development and attachment.
The amount of time an infant spends with a cradle care family depends on the specifics of the case, but is generally less than 14 days.
Cradle care allows the birth parent(s) to provide a safe place for their baby while they have space and time to carefully consider adoption. Placing a baby is a difficult decision, and she should not feel pressured to make it quickly.
When Do We Offer Cradle Care?
Adoption Advocates offers cradle care in two main situations: while legal processes are pending or when the birth parent(s) need additional time to consider adoption.
The legal processes are related to termination of the biological fathers’ parental rights if he has not voluntarily waived them. This can take between 30 and 60 days, depending on the situation. While many adoptive parents are willing to accept a legal-risk placement, some do not feel comfortable accepting the risk that they will bond with a baby, only to have to return him or her to their birth father.
We also offer cradle care when a birth mother needs more time to weigh her decision. This is especially true when the agency is contacted after the baby is delivered, and the birth mother has not made any plans for either adoption or parenting. Cradle care allows the birth parent(s) to provide a safe place for their baby while they have space and time to carefully consider adoption. Placing a baby is a difficult decision, and she should not feel pressured to make it quickly.
Who Provides Cradle Care?
Adoption Advocates contracts with families to provide cradle care to our clients. Each of these families is licensed by our agency to provide care for children. Typically, Adoption Advocates uses families that have adopted from us in previous years but there are times when we have to look for outside families for help. Each cradle care family has a different reason for wanting to provide cradle care but it all boils down to wanting to do what they can to support birth parents and ensure child safety.
Cradle care families undergo the same type of screening as our adoptive families. They have passed extensive background checks, rigorous training in appropriate care techniques, and completed an extensive home study process to ensure their environment is able to meet the needs of an infant.
Cradle care parents provide regular updates to the agency on the baby’s wellbeing and adjustment, as well as sharing information from newborn well-checks with the pediatrician.
How Is Cradle Care Different Than Foster Care?
Cradle care is a private program that does not involve the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) or any other state agencies. Additionally, cradle care is a voluntary arrangement, whereas foster care is usually required or mandated by the court or judicial system.
Who Has Legal Custody While a Child Is in Cradle Care?
The legal custody of a child in cradle care can vary, depending on whether or not the birth mother has signed relinquishment documents. If she is not ready to move forward with adoption and has not signed paperwork, she still has full parental rights of her child.
If she has signed relinquishment paperwork, the adoption agency becomes the managing conservator for the baby. The adoption agency typically authorizes the cradle care family to provide medical care and make decisions for the child’s wellbeing.
I’m a Birth Mom Choosing Cradle Care. What Can I Do?
If you are a birth mom and have chosen to utilize cradle care to give yourself more time to think about your options, there are a few things you can be doing in the meantime. We're here to provide support and help as much as you need.
- Talk through your options with a professional who can provide information about adoption and parenting resources available to you.
- Make a parenting plan to help you explore ways to provide and meet your child’s needs as they are born and grow older. Your counselor can help with this.
- Feel free to spend AS MUCH time with your baby as you need!
What is most important is having the space and time you, as a birth parent, need to think clearly and deeply about this decision. Our goal in providing cradle care is to take as much pressure off of you as we can, so that you can make the best decision for you and your baby.
Questions about cradle care in adoption? Call us at (512) 477-1122 or send us an email!
