Maternal-infant bonding. Practice issues for the 1990s.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an overview of the topic of maternal-infant bonding with applications to the nurse-midwifery care of postpartum mothers and newborn infants. General strategies to enhance bonding immediately after delivery and in the first days of life are provided. The promotion of bonding among low-income women, mothers of diverse cultural groups, and mothers of infants who require special medical care is also discussed.