Introduction
Prematurity is associated with increased risk of lifelong morbidity such as pulmonary, cardiac, and renal problems as well as increased risk of mortality (Abitbol & Rodriguez, 2012). The birth of a premature infant and hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) disrupts the expected development of interactive skills for both the parent and the infant. Disruptions include situational and environmental circumstances associated with the birth and the NICU such as the physical and psychological effects of early birth for the family, as well as physical fragility and the immaturity of the infant. Thus, preterm infants are often exposed to many of the risk factors associated with poor long-term outcomes (Benzies et al., 2013).
Preterm infants constitute a large proportion of the newborn population in the neonatal intensive care units (Abdeyazdan et al., 2014). Approximately 15 million babies are preterm each year (5% to 18% of all deliveries). Preterm
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In addition, the appearance and behavior of the infant, and the unit’s environment like light, sound and unfamiliar equipment, tubes and devices which are connected to the baby cause their stress to be doubled (Valizadeh et al., 2012). Also, these disturb the maturation of parental attachment bonds, which are regarded as an essential part of the parental behavioral system (Van Bakel et al., 2013).
Parental attachment bonds may be regarded as complementary to the infants’ care-seeking attachment and deal with emotional ties that involve the development of feelings of love (Walsh, 2010). Prematurity has been found to be a strong predictor of diminished caregiving quality, while research has reported a weak impact of prematurity on the development of child attachment (Korja et al.,
With research, it has become apparent that there is a correspondence between mothers and children on the basis that attachment. Attachment depends on the reaction from mothers to her child’s emotional cues. (Feldman, 2012, Chapter
The secure babies used their mothers as a base to explore and as a protective safe haven. They were upset when the caregivers left but when they returned, they brought safety to the baby. Babies who had an avoidant attachment, didn’t want their caregiver upon return to the room. The caregivers for these babies may have been unresponsive to their signals of distress. Some babies were also classified as having resistant attachments, and tried kicking or arching their backs when comforted by the caregiver.
Attachment theory states that either secure or insecure bonds may form between infant and mother in the first several months of the infant’s life for the purposes of safety and security. The bond formed between infant and mother influences the quality of the relationships a child has throughout his or her life. One major reasoning of the attachment theory is that the parents are a sanctuary of safety throughout all of early childhood. Insecure attachments promote feelings of threat, rejection, and personal unworthiness. This can also be the explanation for the dream children stashing food away because of the possible threat that there,” will come a time when they will not be fed” (Smith 99).Unhealthy attachments not only lead to poor caregiver-child relationships, but can also cause a dysfunctional self-development, defective relationships, substance abuse problems, and educational difficulties.
This test observed patterns in the infants’ experiences of separation and reunion with their mother, and their reaction to a stranger, in order to evaluate the type of attachment relationship the infant shared with their mother (Ainsworth, 1978). Ainsworth found a significant consistency between the mothers’ interactive styles and the reactions of the infants. The results of this test led Ainsworth to classify the behaviours into three main categories. She identified the infants to have secure attachment, or one of two forms of insecure attachment, avoidant or ambivalent (Music,
Taylor Thomas CMCN 100 Informative Speech Outline Premature Births I. Introduction A. Attention Getter – Congratulations it’s a girl 1. This is the day that most expecting parents dream of; they finally get to meet their bundle of joy. 2. Imagine giving birth to your child, but don’t get the chance to meet your baby for several days because she needs immediate attention because she cannot breathe on her own.
This research gives to wonder, are we doing harm when sending our young children to the sitter or school expecting them to act like they don't care when we leave? The other alternative? A bunch of crying, clinging children with separation anxieties being brought up in society. In the argument nurture vs. nature, both of these scientists have shown that nature needs nurture and that attachment is a product of
Stress and Child Development Stress is referred to as any uncomfortable emotional experience which is followed by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes (Baum, 1990). Factors that cause stress, otherwise known as stressors, stem from problems found in life, work, etc. Stress is a response that is caused by a demand. There are those who believe that stress is introduced in adulthood, especially the younger generation that makes the decision to venture off on their own by leaving the comfort of home and the care of parents.
Thus, suggesting that caregiver relationships are crucial to children’s psychological and physical survival. As infants are unable to verbalize their thoughts, crying is used as a means of communication and interaction between the infant and caregiver. Caring for an Infant
The experiment was done in a room with a one way glass to observe the infant. Different situations were given to the infant to determine the infant’s attachment style, the mother of the infant would leave the room and the infant would be left with the experimenter or the experimenter would leave the room and leave the mother and infant alone. How the infant reacts to the situation is used to determine the attachment style of the infant. Infants with secure attachment style would be distressed every time the mother would leave, the infant avoids the stranger when the mother leaves and when the mother returns the infant becomes happier. Infants with ambivalent attachment attachment style get distressed whenever the mother leaves, and avoids the stranger when left alone.
A human baby is born with poorly developed sight and is unable to move. As a consequence to this he is vulnerable and is completely dependent on a carer for survival (Winston, 2003). To improve the chances of survival, the baby is born with pre-programmed and automatic behaviour which are prompted by environmental factors (Bergen, 2008). Bowlby theorised that when a young child feels distressed, frightened or confused, attachment behaviour is triggered and this serves to bring the child closer to their mother* who provides the desired comfort, care and protection (Bowlby,
In addition, some infants are classified as disorganized/disoriented with regard to attachment as they are not able to settle in to a single, organized attachment pattern when in distress. Instead, they become disoriented or resort to conflicting behavioral strategies. Attachments are not characteristic of either the caregivers or infants. It is the relationship bonds overtime between emotion and behaviors as infant and caregiver interact, particularly when infant needs for comfort are of concern. Sense of trust develops when a baby’s needs are responded to.
Through factors such as cognitive development of the infant, attentive care and intimate interactions with a primary caregiver, the attachment relationship is created – shaping the infants- caregiver bond. By examining the interactions between an infant and their primary caregiver, we can identify secure, insecure and disorganized attachment (Ainsworth, 1978; Cassidy 1994); which can reveal a great deal about the relationship between the infant and attachment figure. Overall, the quality of attachment bonds formed in the early years can have long lasting effects on an infant’s emotional security and social competence; not only shaping their ability to form relationships, but laying the foundations for the social, emotional and mental development of the
Overall, the findings of this experiment are really no surprise to me at all. If we consider the essentials of how to properly take care of a human baby, the results in the experiment are all the same principles that keep a human baby healthy and happy. If a parent or caregiver does not give a child more than just their basic needs, the children will not grow up with a lot of stimulation or interaction, which has negative psychological consequences. When we consider the physical underpinnings that create attachment as well as the dynamics of the parent-child relationship, the observations and results of the experiment are easily applicable to why we need both our biological needs as well as our emotional and physical comfort needs to be met, because
The initial separation in conventional hospital care creates Mother-infant separation which is detrimental to the mother-infant relationship as potential relationship problems can occur as well as physiological disorders (Karimi & Begheri,2016). KMC promotes parental attachment and research has shown that it stimulates maternal lactation which leads to an increase in oxytocin levels and an increase in the volume of breastmilk produced (Feldman,2004; Tollandini & Scalembra,2006). Consequently, maternal behaviours are encouraged which plays a part in reducing levels of stress and anxiety in the mother(Feldman,2004). Furthermore, the mother feels more positively towards the infant and research has shown that the mother feels more competent in stressful situations as a parent, has increased feelings of confidence, self-esteem and feelings of empowerment (Karimi & Begheri,2016; Tessier et al.,1998). Also, research has shown that mothers partaking in KMC are more likely to breastfeed which is more beneficial for the infant in the sense that breastmilk offers necessary proteins and elements that are essential for the infant’s growth (Furman,2017; Karimi & Begheri,201; White-Traut et al.,2012).
The arrival of a new baby, especially the first always marks a new beginning for a mother. It comes with a lot of challenges more so if the mother is less knowledgeable about baby care. Take such as cleaning the baby for the first time, or feeding, it is not easy. The baby is still fragile and slippery and needs a special care. But if the mother is not ready for all these, or maybe, does not have any knowledge on what to do, the baby’s life might be endangered since the baby needs a special care which only the mother can give.