Entwicklung der neonatalen und frühkindlichen Bindung

The survival rate of premature babies and the quality of family life after a premature birth have significantly increased in recent years. A substantial contribution has been made by the employment of highly qualified specialist personnel, the establishment of an adequate and risk-adjusted healthcare structure in highly specialized hospitals and the development of a high-tech intensive care environment in which premature babies and their caregivers initially stay and sometimes for weeks. Despite these optimal healthcare conditions, there are still some significant risks for the psychosocial development of the child and family. These risks result directly from the parents’ experience of premature birth as an exceptional physical and psychological situation; however, these risks also originate from the structural and functional immaturity of the organs due to the premature birth itself, from the problems of the child to express itself, the limited parental sensitivity for responding to the child’s signals and the care situation. Inhibiting factors are discussed under the aspects of a functional parent-child attachment and support offers are presented. These include external environmental conditions, such as those described in the concept of rooming-in as well as changes in the philosophy of nursing and care, including development-oriented supportive care and a consistent familial orientation. In addition, parent-oriented programs have been established that are intended to provide support on the way to parenthood after a premature birth with a focus on different areas. Such a program to support parental sensitivity is presented in more detail at the end.