What intervention best facilitates mother-infant bonding for a mother in NICU?

Encouraging the mother to touch her baby whenever possible is the most effective intervention for facilitating mother-infant bonding, especially in the context of a neonate in the NICU. Physical contact, such as skin-to-skin contact (often referred to as kangaroo care), has been shown to enhance emotional connections between the mother and her infant. This form of interaction promotes not just bonding but also assists in the baby's physiological stability, reducing stress and promoting better outcomes in terms of growth and development.

Touching also stimulates the release of hormones such as oxytocin in both the mother and the infant, further enhancing the emotional bond. For mothers of NICU infants, who may feel anxious or disconnected due to their baby's medical condition, being encouraged to physically engage with their child can provide significant emotional reassurance and satisfaction, fostering a deeper maternal attachment.

This choice directly addresses the emotional and physical aspects of bonding, creating opportunities for interaction that are crucial when the mother may feel helpless due to her baby's condition.