Much has been written in the last few years about the importance of early mother‐infant contact in order to establish the mother‐infant bond. The success or failure of this early bonding may have lasting effects on both mother and infant. Mothers give behavioral clues that indicate their progress toward mothering (bonding). But far too often the nurses caring for both mother and infant are so busy trying to meet physical needs that they do not spot those clues that indicate the possible need for nursing intervention. An assessment tool has been developed to help nurses assess the development of mothering by hospitalized patients 24 to 36 hours after delivery. It consists of fairly simple observations directed at the earliest mothering behaviors. The use of this assessment strategy should help nurses, both student and practitioner, to be more alert and sensitive to the needs and progress of postpartal patients toward the tasks of mothering. A warm, loving mother‐child relationship is a rich reward for mother, infant, and nurse.

Assessment of early mothering: A tool

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