The perceived attractiveness of preterm infants with cranial molding.

A study was conducted to compare the perceived attractiveness of preterm infants with postnatal cranial molding to that of preterm and full-term infants without this deformation. Forty-two subjects who viewed photographs of infants selected preterm infants with postnatal cranial molding as the least attractive group of infants. Researchers have hypothesized that infant appearance is an antecedent to bonding and attachment. Nurses should implement measures such as the use of waterbed mattresses, which have been found to minimize the molding process, and include discussion of this measure when teaching parents about their preterm infants so that they are aware of causes and prevention of cranial molding. If an infant has developed postnatal cranial molding, the parents may require counseling to assist them in resolving their feelings about the discrepancy in the appearance of the infant and what they had anticipated prenatally.