COVID-19 mothers' mother-baby bonding, feeding practices, postnatal care experiences in Qatar: A mixed-methods approach.

INTRODUCTION

The study aim was to examine mother-infant bonding, feeding practices, and postnatal care experiences of mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 in hospital settings from 2020 to 2022.

METHODS

A mixed-methods research design was conducted, involving 117 participants in a cross-sectional online survey and 11 phone interviews. The study was conducted among mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR test and admitted to four maternity facilities in Qatar from 1 May 2020 to 16 January 2022. The Postnatal Bonding Questionnaire was used to examine mother-baby bonding, and interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the overall postnatal experience. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA were applied to analyze associations between postnatal bonding scores and various factors.

RESULTS

Participants had a postnatal bonding mean score of ≥12, which indicated impaired bonding (mean=12.0, SD=4.7). Mode of birth and postnatal bonding scores were correlated, especially those with instrumental deliveries (mean=30.2, SD=12.0, p<0.001). Five themes emerged illustrating the respondents' adaptive strategies and the build-up of impaired bonding during the pandemic. These themes underscored the need for support in enhancing mothers' coping and resilience to the challenges during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The pandemic has significantly impacted maternal-infant bonding, as evidenced by increased reports of maternal stress, reduced physical contact, and limitations on partner support. Midwives and other healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in supporting, educating, and reassuring women about providing safe, high-quality care during the crisis. Further research is essential to develop evidence-based guidelines and to examine the long-term consequences of disrupted bonding on infant development.