Neonatal Care Needs of Newborn Mothers in the Postpartum Period: A Phenomenological Study

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine what practices and how mothers do after birth for baby care and to evaluate their needs in this regard. Methods: The study was conducted qualitatively phenomenological. The sample consisted of 19 mothers who gave birth in Burdur Province Bucak State Hospital between February 2022 and June 2022 and were discharged with their baby, who agreed to be interviewed. The discharged mothers were contacted by phone and an appointment was made. Data were collected by interviewing online with a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Qualitative data obtained during the research were analyzed using descriptive analysis method and sociodemographic information was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: In the study, three frameworks were determined, namely, practices for postnatal baby care, baby feeding practices, safety practices, and hygienic care practices. All of the mothers gave breast milk to their babies and expressed that breast milk was beneficial. The most important care problems experienced in the first week after discharge were determined as "cracks in the mother's breast and diaper rash in the baby's diaper area". As a basic education, they wanted to take bath education. Conclusion: As a result of the interviews, mothers; breast-feeding, burping the baby, taking care of the baby and taking a bath. It was determined that mothers may need breastfeeding support, sub-care of the baby and understanding the danger signs of the baby in the first week after discharge.