Early and Extended Maternal-Infant Contact

Abstract

Almost a decade ago, Drs Marshall H. Klaus and John H. Kennell suggested that early and extended contact after birth promoted maternal-infant bonding. A number of investigators have attempted to test such a hypothesis, using short-, intermediate-, and long-range outcome measures. But, controversy regarding the hypothesis persists, based on theoretical and empirical concerns. This review focuses on key methodological issues and presents findings from studies that met specified research design requirements. Although reported results are somewhat inconsistent, there is evidence, particularly among selected subgroups, that early contact is a safe, simple intervention that impacts favorably on maternal-infant behaviors. It is suggested that the term maternal-infant attachment be substituted for bonding, emphasizing a multifactorial, developmental process, rather than an epoxy-like relationship that is fully established in the first hours of life. The favorable impact of early maternal-infant contact is viewed as straightforward and well documented by some investigators, but others are