Parents’ expectations of staff in the early bonding process with their premature babies in the intensive care setting: a qualitative multicenter study with 60 parents

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the first weeks of hospitalization, premature babies and their parents encounter difficulties in establishing early bonds and interactions. Only a few studies have explored what caregivers can do to meet parents' needs in relation to these interactions and help optimize them. This study sought to explore parents' perception of these first interactions and to identify the actions of caregivers that help or hinder its development.MethodsProspective study, qualitative discourse analysis of 60 face-to-face interviews conducted with 30 mothers and 30 fathers of infants born before 32 weeks of gestation (mean ± SD: 27 ± 2 weeks of gestational age), during their child's stay in one out of three NICUs in France. Interviews explored parental experience, from before birth up to the first month of life.ResultsData analysis uncovered two main themes, which were independent of parents' geographical or cultural origin but differed between mothers and fathers. First, fathers described the bond with their child as composed more of words and looks and involving distance, while mothers experienced the bond more physically. Secondly, two aspects of the caregivers' influence were decisive: nurses' caring attitude towards baby and parents, and their communication with parents, which reduced stress and made interactions with the baby possible. This communication appeared to be the locus of a supportive and fulfilling encounter between parents and caregivers that reinforced parents' perception of a developing bond.ConclusionsAt birth and during the first weeks in the NICU, the creation of a bond between mothers and fathers and their premature baby is rooted in their relationship with the caregivers. Nurses' caring attitude and regular communication adapted to specific needs are perceived by parents as necessary preconditions for parents' interaction and development of a bond with their baby. These results might allow NICU staff to provide better support to parents and facilitate the emergence of a feeling of parenthood.

Aplicabilidade das ações preconizadas pelo método canguru Share applicability recommended by kangaroo method

“…7 Another care widely encouraged by the nursing team, which favors the formation of bonding and comfort to NB is the kangaroo position, found in 83% of positive answers in encouraging this care practice.…”

Semantics-driven design for bonding with human scent

“…Furthermore, fathers experience difficulty in choosing between time spent with their child and at work (Premberg et al, 2011;Pohlman, 2005) and they tend to see their spouse's and child's needs as a higher priority than their own (Pohlman et al, 2007). It is hypothesised here that all this might be the reason why fathers describe their bond to their child as 'involving distance' (Guillaume et al, 2013), while being in 'an exposed position with hidden strong emotions' (Premberg et al, 2011). If we look at the father-child bonding situation in the NICU, it is safe to conclude that the situation is difficult for fathers.…”

Vivência de mães de bebês prematuros do nascimento a alta: notas de diários de campo

“…In view of this delicate stage faced by mothers and families, any possibility of bonding with the baby can be compromised, causing disorder in the mother-child relationship. Thus, facilitating the approximation of parents with their child supports the establishment of emotional ties and, consequently, capacitates mothers to care for their child (6)(7)(8) .…”

“…It is known that a good relationship between parents and the nursing staff is essential to encourage bonding and the permanence of the parents in the ICU during the period of hospitalisation of preterm infants (6,8) . Based on this premise, a growing number of studies have used qualitative methods to explore what the health team can do to help parents during the stay of babies in the neonatal unit, and to highlight areas of particular importance for their care (1)(2)9) .…”