Early contact and maternal attachment among women using public health care facilities.

The relationship between the time of first holding of the infant and the development of feelings of maternal attachment among women using public health care facilities was investigated. A sample of 88 mothers reported holding their infants from 10 minutes to 48 hours after delivery and developing feelings of maternal attachment from 10 minutes to 2.5 days after delivery. A positive relationship between the first holding of the infant and the development of feelings of attachment was supported, which indicated that feelings of attachment began when the infant was first held regardless of how long after delivery the holding was. Opportunities for early contact should be provided, but when appropriate, mothers should be informed that it does not appear that early contact is essential to the development of attachment feelings.