Mothers’ parenting self-efficacy, satisfaction and perceptions of their infants during the first days postpartum

Abstract

ObjectiveThe first aim of this study was to describe mothers’ self-efficacy, satisfaction and perceptions when parenting their infants during the first days postpartum. Furthermore, the study aimed to explore the distinct sociodemographic as well as mother and infant related factors that are associated with the above parenting aspects. DesignA descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used. SettingThree separate postpartum wards 1-7 days after childbirth in one university level hospital in Finland. ParticipantsAll mothers who gave birth during March 1st to May 20th, 2019 and filled the inclusion criteria, were invited to participate in this study. A convenience sample of 250 mothers with healthy singleton infants agreed to participate. Measurements and findingsThe following instruments were used: The Parenting Self-Efficacy (PSE) scale, the Evaluation subscale of What Being the Parent of a New Baby is Like-revised (WBPL-R) and the Perception of Infant scale. Mothers’ parenting self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction were high during the first days postpartum. Age, marital status, education and type of birth were not associated with parenting self-efficacy nor satisfaction. Mothers who were unemployed or working only part-time reported higher scores across all categories of parenting self-efficacy, compared to full time employed mothers (p < .001). A higher number of children (≥ 3) were positively associated with both parenting self-efficacy and satisfaction. Mothers who reported poor breastfeeding initiation success also reported significantly lower scores in parenting self-efficacy and parenting satisfaction across all categories. Mothers’ perceptions of their infants’ fussiness were not associated with parenting self-efficacy (p = .113) nor parenting satisfaction (p = .091). Key conclusions and implications for practiceThe results of this study can benefit postpartum maternity health care professionals by suggesting factors that could be focused on during the very short period that mothers stay in hospital. Discussing prior mothering experiences, work life before maternity leave, breastfeeding initiation experiences and perception of infant with the mothers after childbirth, may lead to better PSE and PS during the postpartum period.