Original Research

The role of the nursing staff in promoting the development of preterm infants through their contribution to motherinfant interaction

Kate Grieve
Curationis | Vol 13, No 1/2 | a285 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v13i1/2.285 | © 1990 Kate Grieve | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 September 1990 | Published: 26 September 1990

About the author(s)

Kate Grieve, Department of Psychology University of South Africa, South Africa

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Abstract

Preterm birth constitutes a potential risk factor for infant development. There is evidence that parental sensitivity and responsivity can compensate for biological risk. Since the birth of a preterm infant often constitutes a crisis for parents, they may be impaired in their ability to relate appropriately to their infants. The nursing staff can play a vital role in enhancing the interaction between parents (in particular mothers) and their preterm infants, thereby indirectly promoting optimal infant development. This paper describes the psychological tasks faced by mothers of preterm infants, parents’ experiences of preterm birth and suggestions as to what the nursing staff can do to facilitate healthy relationships between parents and their preterm infants, thereby preventing possible pathological development.

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