Restriction of visits to neonatal intensive care units in the COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of this study, it examine how visits to neonatal intensive care units were made during the COVID-19 process and how mothers were affected by this process.

In this phenomenological study, interviews were conducted with semi-structured questions and face-to-face interviews with the participants. While collecting the data, both observation and interview techniques were used. A content analysis technique was used to analyse the data.

The findings of the study were gathered under two themes: 'mothers' recommendations about visits in neonatal intensive care units' and 'mothers' fear of transmitting COVID-19'.

As a result, visitor restrictions implemented during the pandemic period hurt on newborns. During the pandemic period, visitor restrictions were imposed in neonatal intensive care units around the world. Unfortunately, in our study, it was determined that this restriction was made. This situation may have adversely affected the mother-infant attachment and the growth and development of the baby and may have led to irreversible problems. Therefore, newborn nurses should give more importance to mother-infant interaction and continue their treatment and care without separating infants from their mothers.