J Nurs Acad Soc.  1981 Dec;11(2):9-22.

A Study of the Maternal Attachment Behavior During Early Postpartum Period

• Lee JH
• Kim JH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to observe and describe the maternal attachment behavior during the mother's first interactions with her newborn and define the factors contributing to differences in maternal attachment behavior. Observations of the mother's first interaction with her newborn can offer valuable information about the mother-infant relationship, and it provides an opportunity for planning individulized care for them. Data was collected from Sep. 1, 1980 to Oct. 30, 1980 at Ewha Womans University Hospital. Maternal attachment behaviors of healthy full-term Infants were observed and recorded on the maternal attachment tool and analysed by the use of means, standard deviations and ANEVA test. The following trends of maternal behaviors were observed: 1. Identifying behaviors was the predominant mode and all of the mothers inspects baby's body features. 2. Modalities of interaction, that is, touching was initiated on the babies extremities and heads (57.3%) rather than the trunks (8.7%) and mothers touched their infants with their fingertips (58.2%) more than palm touching (14.6%) 3. Care-taking activities performed by the mother were negligible at the first interaction. 4. Parity of mother, sex of infant, age of mother, planned pregnancy, length of visits by mother to infant appeared to have significant influence on the maternal attachment behaviors.

MeSH Terms

Extremities
Family Planning Services
Female
Head
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Maternal Behavior
Mothers
Parity
Postpartum Period*