The Development of Maternal Touch During Early Mother‐Infant Interaction

Abstract

There has been increased professional interest in the newborns need for early maternal touch and the long‐range implications thereof. This study was undertaken to ascertain if there is a consistent observable pattern and range of maternal touch present during early mother‐infant interactive (infants 18 hours of age or less). The study sample consisted of 24 middle‐class mothers and their infants, divided into four groups: primiparas with dressed infants, primiparas with undressed infants, multiparas with dressed infants, and multiparas with undressed infants. The setting was a suburban metropolitan hospital with family‐centered maternity care. The results of this descriptive study showed that observations of maternal touch during early mother‐infant interaction could be a useful tool for nurses in assessing the mother‐infant relationship and in planning interventive nursing care during the postpartum period.