Maternal caregiving and strategies used by inexperienced mothers of young infants with complex health conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal caregiving and related strategies used by first-time mothers of young infants with complex health conditions (CHC) in the first 6 months after discharge.

DESIGN: Grounded theory.

SETTING: Data were collected in participants' homes in the Northeast United States.

PARTICIPANTS: Eight first-time mothers of infants age 6 months or younger with CHC.

METHODS: Purposive and theoretical sampling were used. Semistructured interviews were completed at 2-month intervals, beginning 2 weeks after their infants' discharge. Analysis of 28 interviews was done with the constant comparative method.

RESULTS: A grounded theory of maternal caregiving was conceptualized from the data. This time-and-experience-mediated process involved three phases of increasing confidence and expertise, developing in the context of decision-making responsibility. Related maternal strategies included appraising, normalizing, organizing, assessing, practicing, validating, experimenting, nurturing, and negotiating. Mothering became predictable and integrated in everyday life by about 6 months after the infant's discharge home.

CONCLUSION: Findings can help clinicians and researchers better understand what happens over time as new mothers care for infants with CHC. Exploration of these patterns in a more diverse group of mothers of children with CHC can support the development of targeted interventions for this specialized population.