Staying Connected While Nurturing an Infant: A Challenge of New Motherhood* Ruth Paris** Nicole Dubus Abstract: Fifteen at-risk new mothers participating in a volunteer home-visiting program were inter- viewed about their experiences with these home-visitors and their relationships with close family and friends after their babies were born. Results of the qualitative analysis, viewed through the lens of Rela- tional Cultural Theory (RCT), detail the social isolation and personal disconnection that they experi- enced. Their narratives also provide insights about the volunteersÕ use of techniques—such as validation, affirmation, consistency, and emotional and instrumental aid—to enhance the mothersÕ self-confidence in caring for their babies, to reduce painful feelings, and to increase interpersonal connections. Recom- mendations are included for working with couples anticipating a new baby. Key Words: home-visiting, infancy, motherhood, postpartum depression. The postpartum period is charged with mixed emotions for most mothers (Blumfield, 1992; Epperson, 2002). Feelings can range from plea- sure and joy to anger, loneliness, and depression. In addition, mothers of newborns in many West- ern cultures report feeling isolated from other adults (Cowan & Cowan, 2000; Graham, Lobel, & Stein Deluca, 2002; Nicolson, 1998). They are at increased risk of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Thus, their infants are vulnerable to early developmental deficits because of compromised parenting (Lyons-Ruth, Con- nell, Grunebaum, & Botein, 1990; Weinberg & Tronick, 1998). However, few studies have closely examined the different ways in which postpartum women feel isolated and lonely. Not surprisingly, reports show that mothers of newborns benefit from emotional support. (Gomby, Culross, & Behrman, 1999; Heinicke et al., 1999). Home-visiting interventions have been used as a means of support, education, and prevention to address the needs of women and infants during the postpartum period (Gomby et al.; Heinicke et al., 1999; Taggart, Short, & Barclay, 2000), but studies are needed that detail the usefulness of the home-visitor/new mother relationship from the client’s perspec- tive. We examined at-risk postpartum women to understand their relational experiences with their babies and families, and the social context within which their new mothering experiences occurred. We also sought information about *The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge Maryann Amodeo for her comments on an earlier draft of this article. Special thanks to Peggy Kaufman, Debbie Whitehill, and the staff of the Visiting Moms Program, Greater Boston Jewish Family and Children’s Services. **Address correspondence to Dr. Ruth Paris, Boston University, School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 (rparis@bu.edu). Family Relations, 54 (January 2005), 72–83. Blackwell Publishing. Printed in the USA. Copyright 2005 by the National Council on Family Relations.