As we have seen on several occasions, there is evidence regarding the multiple positive effects in early contact between mother and child, especially skin-to-skin contact, which supports the existence of a sensitive period that facilitates the establishment of an adequate bond between them.
One of the indirect consequences associated with prematurity is the greater incidence of alterations in the mother-child bond, so if it is demonstrated that there is a sensitive period in the first postpartum moments also in the case of premature babies, it could favor said contact
It had already been determined that the contact is positive also in the case of caesarean sections, but no studies had been carried out in the case of premature babies, so the study we are talking about today is novel and relevant.
The results of the study show a statistically significant association between the existence of an early contact between the newborn and his mother in the incidence of a safe bond. A systematic review of the kangaroo method also found an association between this method and a better relationship between mother and child, a fact that could be enhanced by early contact.
Specifically, a study has been reviewed with data from 62 very low-weight premature children born between January and December 1999, without malformations or congenital disorders. It was taken into account mother-child eye contact within the first three hours of life (for 5-10 minutes).
The incidence of the existence of a secure link was evaluated according to a previous test called "Ainsworth's strange situation test" at 12 and 18 months of corrected age. The standardized procedure was videotaped and subsequently evaluated to qualify the child's behavior as a link characteristic that was grouped together as safe or insecure.
After excluding certain children due to various causes, the main results indicate that 53.2% of the children showed a secure bond, 33.9% an insecure avoidant, 3.2% an insecure ambivalent and 9.7 % insecure disorganized.
Premature infants who were seen by their mothers within the first three hours of life had a higher frequency of safe bonding than those who did not have early contact (76% vs. 41%). Early contact was significantly associated with the secure link after adjusting for the possible confounding variables and it was not appreciated that any other maternal or child factor influenced the bonding behavior.
The conclusion of the study is clear: the results support the hypothesis that the first hours after birth constitute a "sensitive period" for the development of bonding behavior in premature newborns.
Therefore, if a mother is in a position to see her child early after birth, it will help create a welcoming environment, and this period can be used to help form an important basis for a secure bond in that child. It is clear that contact with the mother is paramount for all newborn babies and should be provided as much as possible.
