A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Clinging to closeness: The parental view on developing a close bond with their infants in a NICU




AuthorsHeli Mäkelä, Anna Axelin, Nancy Feeley, Hannakaisa Niela-Vilén

PublisherChurchill Livingstone

Publication year2018

JournalMidwifery

Journal name in sourceMidwifery

Volume62

First page 183

Last page188

Number of pages6

ISSN0266-6138

eISSN1532-3099

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.04.003

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/31289753


Abstract

Objective: To identify and understand how parents develop a close bond to their infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design: A qualitative descriptive study; closeness and separation stories recorded in a smartphone application by the parents were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Setting and participants: Twenty-three parents of nineteen infants who were taken care of in a level III NICU in Finland.

Findings: Bonding moments and a disrupted dyadic parent-infant relationship continuously alternated as in a rollercoaster ride during the hospital stay. Transitions from closeness to separation and vice versa were the most emotional stages on the journey. Parents had a natural desire to be close and create a bond with their infants; however, they accepted the separation as part of NICU care.

Key conclusions: The findings indicate that closeness with their infant was the power that parents stored and that led them through unavoidable separation to normal parenthood.

Implications for practice: Bonding and attachment will occur naturally if parents are close to their infants and permitted privacy and time with their infants. NICU staff should create a peaceful and calming environment that enables and supports this bonding process.


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