Trajectories of change in mothers’ parenting confidence and relationship with baby: A 15-month qualitative longitudinal study

Background Parents’ experiences and their relationship to their baby undergo various changes over the course of the first year. This is particularly the case for mothers, who still tend to take on the primary caregiver role in most families in the UK. Better understanding the changes mothers experience in the first year is of importance given the impact of the parent-infant relationship for children’s socio-emotional development. Methods This qualitative longitudinal study explored first-time mothers’ experience of parenting confidence and relationship with their baby from their third trimester of pregnancy to the end of their babies’ first year of life. This study also examined trajectories of relevant consistent parenting factors: perceived social support, relationship with partner, expectations, and coping mechanisms. Ten first-time expectant mothers were interviewed at four time periods (prenatal, 1-, 6-, and 12-months). Results The findings indicate that in this low-risk sample, most mothers’ parenting confidence improved with time, as did their relationship with their baby. However, most faced many changes in their experiences where, overall, the first six months after birth were the most challenging with many mothers feeling disconnected or having strong shifts in their views of relationship with their baby, feeling unsure about how to parent, having unmet prenatal expectations, and diminished partner support. Conclusion This study demonstrates the complexity of change at multiple levels, both within individuals and within the 15 months of transitioning to motherhood. Consideration of these changes can help inform maternity services and mental health and social care professionals working with expectant parents and those in early parenthood to improve parenting confidence and mother-infant relationships.