LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore prevalence and risk factors of low parenting confidence in mothers of infants 0–12 months of age. This retrospective chart review examined variables of interest from a sample of 144 randomly selected records. Low parenting confidence was reported by 110 mothers (76.4%), and it was higher at 0–6 months compared with 7–12 months after childbirth (p = .001). Low level of parenting confidence was statistically significantly associated with mother’s career status (p = .002), postnatal depression (p = .009), having younger infants, having infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) (p = .004) and having infants on medication (p = .014). The odds of low parenting confidence was 11.8 folds greater in mothers with symptoms of depression and 3.8 times larger in mothers with infants diagnosed with GOR. Low parenting confidence is prevalent during the first year after childbirth. It is important to investigate parenting skills and confidence of the postnatal mother and provide appropriate and timely intervention.