Factors affecting attachment between infants and mothers separated at birth

A sample of 24 healthy Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survivors separated from their mothers for a period of more than 10 days after birth were studied at approximately 1 year postconceptional age to assess mother-infant attachment. The 24 infants were classified into secure-attached (N = 17) and insecure-attached (N = 7) groups according to Ainsworth categories. No differences were found between the groups in birth weight, gestation, length of NICU hospitalization, Bayley developmental scores, and 1-year physical measurements. Secure-attached infants, however, tended to be from younger, working mothers and had more day-care experiences. The data do not support the hypothesis that prolonged neonatal separation has detrimental effects on later mother-child interaction.