Aim: This study was performed with the aim of investigating the correlation between vulnerable baby perception with breastfeeding self-efficacy and bonding of mothers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Method: The sample for this descriptive and relational search study comprised mothers of 80 healthy infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Ordu University Education and Research Hospital for at least 3 days and at least 1 week past discharge. Collection of data used the Mother and Infant Descriptive Information Form, Vulnerable Baby Scale (VBS), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), and Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). Results: The VBS scores for employed mothers were significantly higher than those who were not employed, whereas the VBS scores for mothers with planned pregnancy were significantly higher than those with unplanned pregnancy (p < 0.05). According to the total number of pregnancies, the BSES scores were identified to be statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The MIBS scores for mothers without mental change related to admission of the infant to NICU were significantly lower than those who were sad/scared (p = 0.015). There was a statistically insignificant correlation between VBS score and BSES score (p > 0.05). There was a positive and very weak statistically significant correlation between VBS score and MIBS score (p = 0.034). As VBS scores increase, MIBS scores increase (higher MIBS = lower bonding). In addition, the effect of VBS score on MIBS score was identified to be statistically significant (p = 0.042). Conclusion: The results of the study found a significant correlation between vulnerable baby perceptions of mothers and mother-infant bonding. As vulnerable baby perceptions increased, mother-infant bonding was identified to decrease. We speculate the breastfeeding self-efficacy and bonding levels of mothers with infants in the NICU should be assessed along with vulnerability perception levels, and necessary support should be provided to reduce vulnerability perceptions by informing mothers about the neonate's status.
Keywords: breastfeeding self-efficacy; mother–infant bonding; neonatal intensive care unit; nursing; vulnerable baby perception.