The role of the mother-newborn relationship in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit: the importance of the mother-baby dyad

Abstract

Introduction: The presence and active participation of the mother in the routine of the newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are associated with positive outcomes. Early contact and maternal involvement are indispensable for promoting the mother-infant bond, facilitating well-being between them. Objective: Analyze the influence of mother-infant contact on neonatal progress and adaptation in neonatal intensive care units, examining family-centered practices through methods that strengthen the mother-child bond during extended hospitalizations. Methodology: This is a literature review and descriptive study from a qualitative perspective, conducted through the review of journals cataloged in the Scientific Electronic Library (SciELO) and the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), as well as the Nursing Database (BDENF) and the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Results and Discussion: The promotion of strategies that facilitate maternal involvement, such as the Kangaroo Mother Care method and adequate psychological support, is essential to strengthen the bond between mother and baby, providing lasting benefits. Conclusion: Emphasis is placed on the ongoing need to promote care methods that recognize and value mother-infant interaction as an essential component in neonatal intensive care.