Purpose The purpose of study is to explore the relationships between social support, perceived stress and maternal confidence in mothers with preterm infant after discharged at one month in Taiwan.

Methods The study is a cross-sectional designed. Data were collected by purposive sampling. A total of 90 mothers with preterm infants were recruited in a sick baby room (SBR) at a medical centre in the central district of Taiwan. The measurement is self-reported questionnaire including both demographic data, Social Support Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Maternal Confidence Scale. Participants filled the questionnaire after infants discharged one month.

Results The study showed that mothers’ social support at one month after discharge, average score was 76.47 (total 104), which indicated 70% of social support. The average score of perceived stress was 28, equivalent levels of stress. The average score of maternal confidence was 64.20 (total 90), which showed 70% of confidence. The related factors of mother perceived stress were mothers’ perceived health status, daily sleep hour, perceived sleep quality, tangible support and emotional support, positive interaction, affection, and number of baby (p < 0.05). The daily sleep hour, perceived sleep quality and affection were the predictors of mothers’ perceived stress with 32.5% of prediction explanation.

Conclusion These results suggest that factors related with mother perceived stress and maternal confident. The study suggests that the needs of mother with preterm infants should be included in nursing education and in-service education. The findings of this study will serve as a reference for nursing practice.