THE MOTHER-CHILD BOND IN HOSPITALIZED PREMATURE NEWBORNS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

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Abstract

Objective: To understand the bonding experiences between mothers and their premature infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units  (NICU). Materials and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study based on Colaizzi's method was conducted. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mothers of preterm infants (<37 weeks) hospitalized for at least 7 days in two public hospitals in the Colombian Caribbean. Interviews were held at two points: at discharge and one month after hospital discharge. Methodological rigor was ensured through Lincoln and Guba’s criteria. Results: Five main thematic units emerged: 1) bonding marked by initial fear at premature birth; 2) physical and emotional barriers imposed by the hospital environment, hindering mother-infant contact; 3) gradual discovery of the maternal role through permitted caregiving activities within the NICU; 4) progressive reconstruction of the maternal bond at home after discharge, mediated by continuous contact and daily caregiving experiences; and 5) significant emotional transformation in motherhood following hospitalization, highlighting both resilience and psychological consequences such as anxiety and feelings of guilt. Conclusions: The hospital environment can negatively affect the initial establishment of the mother-infant bond. Humanized care practices in the NICU, such as early skin-to-skin contact, active and early maternal involvement in neonatal care, and ongoing emotional follow-up after hospital discharge, are recommended.