a. Positive (Successful) Bonding and Taking-Hold.

This reveals a warm mother-infant relationship beginning.

It is identified by maternal-infant behavior to include mother fondling and caressing the infant, establishing eye contact with her infant, talking and cooing to her baby, and attempting to evoke a smile or vocal response from her baby.

b. Negative Bonding.

Occasionally, a mother may have difficulty adapting to her maternal role and bonding with her infant.

This may be caused by immaturity, lack of knowledge about infant care and behavior, and/or deep-rooted psychological problems. The mother may express inappropriate responses. These responses may include reluctance to hold, fondle, or interact with her infant, may find the infant unattractive or ugly, may find her infant has a serious hidden disease or defect, and/or may appear disgusted by the infant’s drooling, sucking sounds, urine, or feces.

c. Evaluation of Maternal Adaptation.

The nursing staff will make frequent observation of maternal-infant behavior during the hospital stay.

All maternal-infant behavior (positive and negative) should be documented in the mother’s chart as well as the infant’s chart. Maternal-infant behavior that appears maladaptive should be viewed on an individual basis and reported to the professional nursing staff for evaluation by the health care team.