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Updated: Aug 31, 2025

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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Parenting a newborn baby during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative survey

Hailey Sledge1, Marguerite Lawler1,2, Jonathan Hourihane1,2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|August 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Parenting during COVID-19 lockdowns was challenging, with many parents feeling isolated. However, the study found no significant differences in reported experiences based on parental status or infant COVID-19 infection, highlighting a shared pandemic parenting journey.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges, including extended lockdowns and social isolation, significantly impacting parenting experiences.
  • Infants born during this period faced unique environmental conditions, necessitating an examination of their developmental trajectories and parental well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the parenting experiences of infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic onset.
  • To explore the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on parental perceptions and infant social development.

Main Methods:

  • The CORAL study prospectively followed a cohort of babies born between March and May 2020.
  • Data collection included demographic information, regular infant reviews, COVID-19 serology, and qualitative parent-reported word choices at 12 months.

Main Results:

  • 354 infants were recruited; by 12 months, many had limited social interaction, with a quarter never meeting a peer.
  • Parents commonly used words like 'lonely' (44.4%) and 'isolating' (31.9%), but also 'strong bond' (15.8%).
  • No significant differences in reported word usage were found between first-time parents and experienced parents, or based on infant COVID-19 infection status.

Conclusions:

  • Lockdowns and social restrictions presented universal challenges for infant-rearing in Ireland.
  • The findings underscore that these difficulties were a shared experience among parents during the pandemic.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19neurology

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