Infant Massage and Infant Growth, Mother-Infant Attachment, and Maternal Self-Confidence

Touch is an essential element in the healthy growth and development of the baby. Infant massage is the best way to touch babies. In line with the literature review on the subject, it has been reported that infant massage supports growth and development in infants, improves attachment between mothers and babies and decreases the level of depression and anxiety in mothers. With the coronavirus pandemic, quarantine decisions have been implemented all over the world. In addition to the stress brought on by their new roles, new mothers have to cope with the anxiety and stress of being a parent and babysitting during the pandemic period. During the pandemic process, it is seen that depression and anxiety levels increase in mothers who have given birth, and maternal attachment is negatively affected. Depression and anxiety in mothers negatively affect the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of babies. It is very important to encourage practices that increase mother-infant interaction, such as infant massage, during the pandemic period. The universe of the research will consist of mothers and their babies who were followed up in İzmir Karşıyaka No. 8 Gülay Kaymak Family Health Center and Karşıyaka No. 4 Bostanlı-2 Family Health Center between May 2021 and May 2022. The sample of the study is 38-42. It is planned to create babies born in the 4th week of pregnancy, with a birth weight of over 2500 grams and who have completed their fourth week (one month old) (n:60).