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Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to examine experiences and meanings of maternal ambivalence in first-time mothers with young children. Background: In contrast with normative expectations surrounding contemporary motherhood, there is growing recognition that becoming and being a mother involves ambivalent feelings, and that these feelings are normal and have positive psychological consequences. Yet, little attention has been paid to women's subjective experiences of maternal ambivalence, and capacity to acknowledge and manage ambivalent feelings. Methods: Eleven semi-structured online interviews, with first-time mothers, were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. Results: Two group experiential themes were identified: Crossing boundaries of acceptable mothering feelings and Mothering from a place of 'enough'. Ambivalent mothering feelings challenged participants' expectations about motherhood and themselves as mothers, producing anxiety, self-doubt and feelings of failure. Distress accompanying maternal ambivalence was especially acute when participants perceived their feelings to be unacceptable. Viewing conflicting feelings with compassion, however, helped participants to cope with their diverse and fluctuating emotional mothering experiences, allowing them to mother with a greater sense of equanimity, agency and competence. Conclusion: The study's findings indicate the potential benefits of providing information about the emotional turbulence of early motherhood as part of routine maternity care, as well as the potential value of offering parenting interventions that promote self-compassion to mothers struggling to manage feelings of ambivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers' social integration with other mothers in the same residential area has been shown to be beneficial for their health and well‐being. The socio‐psychological resources afforded by other mothers aid the transition to motherhood. However, much less is known about the processes whereby mothers integrate with other local mothers. Therefore, we analysed first‐time mothers' experiences of social integration with other mothers in the same neighbourhood. Through three waves of semi‐structured interviews, we followed eight Finnish first‐time mothers' everyday lives for a year. The narrative analysis of these longitudinal interviews revealed three story types – social integration, social exclusion and social disconnection – that depicted mothers' different experiences of integration with other local mothers. The perceived similarity of experiences, goals and interests related to motherhood enhanced the development of a shared sense of identity and supported integration with other local mothers. We discuss our findings in relation to the social identity model of identity change (SIMIC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most mothers initiate breastfeeding, many do not continue for recommended durations. This study aimed to understand the gap between breastfeeding initiation and duration through an in-depth exploration of first-time mothers' breastfeeding experiences. Contextual factors that may facilitate or deter breastfeeding maintenance were explored by identifying common turning points (significant events or periods promoting a change in thoughts/behaviors or facilitating maintenance) described by mothers with varied breastfeeding durations. In semistructured interviews conducted from March to June 2015, twenty-eight first-time mothers in Iowa were asked to describe their breastfeeding experiences from initiation through cessation. Using thematic analysis, seven turning points, consistent across varied durations and experiences were identified: breastfeeding problems, the unknowns, recurring stressors, living new life with baby, reentering social roles, special occasions, and letting go. Turning points were usually associated with stressful situations, and mothers described intrapersonal (e.g., determination) and interpersonal (e.g., social support) coping resources as facilitators of breastfeeding maintenance. These findings highlight contextual factors that may trigger turning points, representing critical intervention periods, and the importance of enhancing support networks. Interventions to facilitate longer breastfeeding durations should consider key turning points and availability of coping resources to determine strategies that best fit the mother at each point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate public health nurses' experiences of using interpreters when meeting with Arabic‐speaking first‐time mothers. Design and Sample: An inductive qualitative design was used. Individual interviews were conducted with Swedish public health nurses (n = 11) with experience of working in child health care with interpreters when meeting with Arabic‐speaking first‐time mothers. Measures: Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis of the interviews resulted in one overarching theme: Having to accept and learn to incorporate interpreters when meeting with Arabic‐speaking first‐time mothers. Three subthemes were identified: (a) enabling an understanding of the situation of the mothers; (b) contributing to a trustful relationship; and (c) creating disturbing elements in the dialogue. Conclusions: Using interpreters optimized the conversation between the public health nurse and the Arab‐speaking first‐time mother; however, the complexity of using interpreters was also apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers with higher maternal competence in early parenthood are more comfortable performing infant skills and interpreting their infants’ cues. Further, maternal perceptions of self-efficacy are related to her ability to take care of her infant. First-time, low-income mothers’ new role, life stressors, and economic hardships can increase psychological distress resulting in less positive parenting practices. Purpose: This secondary analysis of a mixed methods study compared qualitative interview responses of mothers with the highest and lowest maternal competence scores to determine if interview responses reflected maternal competence, and to validate aspects of Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory. During a routine Women, Infant, Children’s (WIC) nutrition visit at 1–6 months after birth, 21 mothers completed 3 measures of self-esteem, sense of mastery, and maternal competence and were interviewed privately using a 9-item semi-structured interview guide that elicited reflections about early mothering experiences. The sample for this study (n = 8) was arrived at by taking mothers with upper (75th, N = 5) and lower (25th, n = 3) percentiles on the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) and directed content analysis to compare their interview responses. In addition, efficacy expectations from Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory were validated in this sample by analyzing the interview responses. The findings revealed that mothers with the highest (n = 5) and lowest (n = 3) PSOC scores reported similar concerns with maternal role adaptation. However, mothers who reported lower PSOC scores verbalized more problems in the category “feelings about being a mother.” Health care professionals need to be aware of maternal competence and self-efficacy in new mothers and assist them as they assume the maternal role. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Maternal parental self-efficacy is a crucial factor for facilitating the smooth transition into motherhood, particularly for primiparas. The aims of this study were to examine the predictors of maternal parental self-efficacy and its relationship with social support, postnatal depression (PND), and socio-demographic variables of primiparas during the early postnatal period. A descriptive correlational study design was adopted. The instruments, Perceived Maternal Parental Self-Efficacy, Perinatal Infant Care Social Support, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, were used to collect data from a purposive sample of 122 primiparas on the day of discharge (1-3 days post delivery) in a tertiary public hospital in Singapore. There were significant correlations among maternal parental self-efficacy, social support, and postnatal depression. The main predictors of maternal parental self-efficacy were social support, ethnicity, maternal age, and family income. The maternal parental self-efficacy, social support, and PND should be routinely assessed to provide necessary support to needy mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to explore the ways that mothers' groups and playgroups support families with children aged 0-5 years and foster community connectedness in newer residential communities in Perth, Western Australia. Background The transition to parenthood is a time of increased support need. Changing community demography has resulted in a loss of traditional support structures and an increased need for local community initiatives to support families with young children. Design A qualitative descriptive design was used for this initial phase of a mixed methods sequential exploratory study. Method Data were collected between December 2011-August 2012. Interviews and focus groups conducted with 39 mothers provided insights from 16 mothers' groups and 13 playgroups. In addition, interviews were undertaken with three child health nurses and four local government early childhood staff. Findings For the participants in this study, mothers' groups and playgroups provided opportunities to learn about parenting, to build a supportive network, to forge friendships and a connectedness to the local community. The families who relocated often experienced isolation until new groups and social networks were found. In general, where participation in mothers' groups and playgroups facilitated relationships with others from the local community, connectedness to that community was reported by participants to be enhanced. Conclusion Mothers' groups and playgroups provide important community development opportunities and appear to help reduce potential isolation for mothers with young children. The findings are of interest to nurses and other health professionals working with families with young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of the current study is to focus on the first-time mothers in their late gestation to reveal the social norms that influence their intention to feed their infants. Methods In order to make clear of the variations of social norms that influence the intention of first-time mothers in regard to feeding their infants, the study is conducted with a qualitative and descriptive analysis in mind, where 17 first-time mothers in their late gestation whose pregnancies were normal and who were visiting one particular maternal perinatal medical center in Tokyo were each given a semi-structured interview, with qualitative analysis conducted using the data obtained. Results The study subjects all revealed their intention to breastfeed, though with different feelings by indicating either "I absolutely want to breastfeed my child," "Between 'I absolutely want to breastfeed my child' and 'I want to breastfeed my child if possible'" and "I want to breastfeed my child if possible." In terms of the social norms that influence first-time mothers in their willingness to breastfeed, there were 6 options for the subjects to chose from: "Inclination toward 'natural ways,'" "Be the socially expected 'mother,'" "Be a responsible 'mother,'" "Be a wise, self-protective 'mother,'" 'Advocate the adequacy of milk-giving and being a 'mother,'" "Have the socially expected environment and knowledge required of a 'mother.'" Conclusion The social norms that influence the intention of first-time mothers to feed their infants shown in this study indicated that, while social norms stipulate the motherhood ideology and the image of a socially expected "mother" who should be responsible for protecting her children's "health," many first-time mothers had their own social norms or set of values to respond to their anxiety of failing to breastfeed and childrearing stress, as well as to justify their actions in avoiding to be recognized as deviating from their "mother" role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ensuring women receive optimal breastfeeding support is of key importance to the health of mothers and their infants. Early discharge within 24 h of birth is increasingly common across Australia, and the practice of postnatal home visiting varies between settings. The reduction in length of stay without expansion of home visits reduces midwives' ability to support breastfeeding. The impact of early discharge on first-time mothers establishing breastfeeding was unknown. The study aim was to understand the experiences of first-time Australian mothers establishing breastfeeding when discharged from the hospital within 24 h of a normal vaginal birth. Methods: A qualitative interpretive method was used. Semi-structured interviews with 12 women following early discharge were conducted. Data were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and subjected to a thematic analysis. Results: Three interconnected themes of 'self-efficacy', 'support' and 'sustainability' were identified. Self-efficacy influenced the women's readiness and motivation to be discharged home early and played a role in how some of the mothers overcame breastfeeding challenges. Social, semi-professional and professional breastfeeding supports were key in women's experiences. Sustainability referred to and describes what women valued in relation to continuation of their breastfeeding journey. Conclusion: This study found accessible people-based breastfeeding services in the community are valued following early discharge. Furthermore, there is demand for more evidence-based breastfeeding educational resources, potentially in the form of interactive applications or websites. Additionally, a focus on holistic and individualised breastfeeding assessment and care plans prior to discharge that link women with ongoing breastfeeding services is paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parenting confidence is a key factor in predicting a range of outcomes for both parents and children, such as parental depression, parental stress, and child health development. This study examines maternal confidence in at-risk and not-at-risk mothers and the psychometric properties of the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale (KPCS). Results: The total sample consisted of 695 mothers (488 not-at-risk and 207 at-risk) from a community setting. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.72 to 0.79, and item-rest correlations ranged from 0.17 to 0.57. Total score improved significantly from 41.75 at two months to 42.41 at six months for the not-at-risk group and increased significantly from 39.51 at two months to 41.12 at six months for the at-risk group. The differences between the two risk groups were significant at both times. Conclusion: The KPCS has acceptable internal consistency, but an overall ceiling effect, with many items characterized by low discrimination. Despite a significant difference in maternal confidence between at-risk and not-at-risk mothers at both two and six months, the total score did not predict risk status very well in this sample. A nine-item version may be equal to the original 15-item version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young mothers living in low-income urban settings often are exposed to significant and chronic environmental difficulties including poverty, social isolation and poor education and typically also have to cope with personal histories of abuse and depression. Minding the Baby® (MTB) is an interdisciplinary home-visiting programme developed to support first-time young mothers, which integrates primary care and mental health approaches into a single intensive intervention from the last trimester of pregnancy until the child's second birthday. The primary aim of the intervention is to promote caregiver sensitivity, and, secondarily, to promote both child and maternal socioemotional outcomes.Methods/design: This is a multisite randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a target recruitment of 200 first-time adolescent mothers (under 26 years of age). One hundred participants will be randomised to the MTB group and they will receive the MTB programme in addition to the usual services available in their areas. Those participants not allocated to MTB will receive Treatment as Usual (TAU) only. Researchers will carry out blind assessments at baseline (before the birth of the baby), and outcome assessments around the child's first and second birthdays. The primary outcome will be the quality of maternal sensitivity and the secondary outcomes will focus on attachment security, child cognitive/language development, behavioural problems, postponed childbearing, maternal mental health and incidents of child protection interventions.Discussion: This study evaluates the Minding the Baby® programme in the UK. In particular, this RCT explores the effectiveness of this integrative approach, which focusses on maternal mental issues as well as parent-infant interaction, parental concerns and developmental outcomes.Trial Registration: ISRCTN08678682 (date of registration 3 April 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]