[The effect of opening of the eyes of newborns on the behavior of their mothers (author's transl)]

Abstract

During the postpartum stay in the hospital 10 randomly selected German mothers and their newborns were video-taped for three feedings on three different days for 1/2 hour each. A written protocol of the behaviours of the mothers from three to five seconds before until three to five seconds after the opening of the eyes of the newborns was kept. The maternal behaviour in these protocols was evaluated. In 92.5% of the cases the behaviour of the mothers changed when their newborns opened their eyes. The following correlations were detected: the social behaviour of the mothers was twice as intense following opening of the eyes of the infant (p less than 0.001). The nurturing behaviour of the mothers remained constant but the interest in other objects decreased (p less than 0.01). Prior to the opening of the eyes of the newborns the mothers moved the body of the infants more (p less than 0.001). Following opening of the eyes of the newborns the mothers showed more lively facial expressions and spoke more to the infants (p less than 0.001). The mothers moved the infants closer following opening of the eyes (p less than 0.001). The results were evaluated in view of maternal infant bonding theory and desirable changes for the obstetric ward were suggested.