Maternal-Newborn Bonding Concept Analysis

Abstract

Maternal-newborn bonding is the complex process of attachment between a mother and newborn. The authors used the Walker and Avant methodology to conduct a concept analysis regarding maternalnewborn bonding as it relates to advanced practice nurse (APN), the patient, and health care. The attributes of maternal-newborn bonding include affection, association, attachment, and relationship. The consequences of maternal-newborn bonding include love, trust, protection, and maternal-child relationship. The APN must be able to recognize and understand the importance of maternal-newborn bonding to have anoptimal outcome for the patient. A model case, borderline case, and contrary case were discussed to provide an example of the maternal-newborn bonding concept. Discussion regarding empirical referents is also included. Maternal-Newborn Bonding Concept Analysis Publication History:Received: January 27, 2017 Accepted: April 04, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 Keywords:Love, Maternal-newborn bond, Protection, Relationship, Trust Concept AnalysisOpen Access Description of ConceptMaternal-newborn bonding is a concept used throughout the obstetrical and pediatric fields, but not widely known amongst all clinicians. The connection made after birth directly affects both the mother and newborn physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. A strong bond formed between a mother and infant leads to positive outcomes and impacts the maternal child relationship through the lifespan. "The parent-infant bond provides a foundation for future adaptation, relationships, and mental health for children and adults" (p. 246) [1]. Difficulty forming a bond could lead to detrimental problems for the mother, child, society and the healthcare system.The maternal-newborn bond directly influences the healthcare system in a variety of ways. The initial bond that occurs between the mother and child after delivery can play a fundamental role in many physiological and psychological aspects. Physiological or psychological instability could potentially lead to a prolonged length of stay, a higher level of care and increased medical costs. A positive bond leads to a positive home life and good health. Good health could be directly related the mother providing basic needs and medical care for the child. As a result, the children have improved health, a decreased number of medical visits and decreased medical care costs throughout the lifespan. Inversely, a study described a situation of impaired maternal-newborn attachment, a bonding disorder can occur [2]. The impaired bond could lead to a decline in basic needs of the child being met and decrease in necessary medical care needed for healthy growth and development.The concept of maternal-newborn bonding also directly influences advanced practice nurses (APN). Understanding the concept can give the APN an inside view of the relationship that the mother and child have whether positive or negative. A positive maternal-newborn bond detected by the APN provides assurance that needs of the newborn are ...

Mother-infant bonding in the postpartum period and its predictors

“…It directly affects both mother and newborn physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. A strong bond between a mother and her child leads to positive results and affects their relationship throughout life (Barker et al, 2017). It also plays a role in preventing postpartum depression (Banovcinova et al, 2019;Reck et al, 2016).…”

Factor Structure of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire in a US-Based Cohort of Mothers

“…As part of these two parallel studies, we enrolled motherinfant dyads prenatally or up to 4 months postpartum and followed the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants through both cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. Mother-infant dyads were enrolled 19,20,22,25), and risk of abuse (2 items; 18, 24). 21,34 The total cumulative score, ranging from 0 to 125, is also used to screen for general bonding disorders (cut-off score ≥26), and severe bonding disturbances (cut-off score ≥40).…”

“…Scree plot (1,3,4,11,16) which represented feelings of connection, e.g., 'I feel close to my baby', 'I love to cuddle my baby'. The second factor included six items (10,12,14,19,21,25) which, in contrast with the first factor, represented feelings of disconnection, e.g., 'My baby irritates me', 'My baby annoys me'. Finally, four items relating to maternal rejection were retained on the third factor (5,15,17,24), e.g., 'I resent my baby', 'I wish my baby would somehow go away'.…”

“…Owing its origin to Klaus and Kenell, 17 four decades of ERH research has led to a degree of agreement that bonding is a parent/caregiver-driven concept describing the parent/caregiver-to-infant emotional tie, from birth and beyond. 16,18,19 In contrast, attachment is a child-centered component of ERH, manifested by secure, organized, insecure and/or disorganized behavioral patterns when faced with uncomfortable or distressing situations. 20 The PBQ was originally developed in English and validated in the United Kingdom.…”

The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire: validity evidence from the Brazilian version

“…In addition, there is a great controversy surrounding the concept of mother-infant bonding disorders since diagnosis, treatment and clinical research have been hampered by the lack of recognition of this phenomenon in the current classificatory systems (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and International Classification of Diseases). Although some authors have proposed definitions in the behavioral and biological domains, most of them seem to agree that bonding disorders are processes based on the emotional feelings of a mother toward her child related to the affective domain (Barker et al, 2017;Hill & Flanagan, 2020). The main symptom of bonding disorders is the negative emotional response of the mother to the infant, expressed through feelings of aversion, hatred, or pathological anger.…”