Created to ConnectVulnerability, Support & New Research in Mother-Infant Bonding 

Lauren Porter, Centre for Attachment, Taranaki NZ Homebirth Conference, 29 October 2011

Supporting a relationship....

Early Separation

Bystrova, Uvnas-Moberg, et al, 2009 (Early Contact vs Separation: Effects on Mother-Infant Interaction One Year Later in Birth, 36:2, June 2009)

Sensitive Periods

•Contact after birth (oxytocin)‣Skin to skin‣Swaddling‣Suckling•Maternal sensitivity•Infant self-regulation•Mutuality

Epigenetics & the work of Michael Meaney(Meaney et al, Nature Neuroscience 2004, Epigenetic programming by maternal behavior, 847-854.)

“The single most important factor determining the quality of mother-offspring interactions is the mental and physical health of the mother. This is equally true in rats, monkeys and humans.”

-Dr. Michael Meaney

Supporting & Healing

• If the mother-infant bond:

‣ has a sensitive period‣ is essential for health‣ has long term implications‣ and can be impacted/

changed...

• How do we support bonding and also create change when necessary?

Seeing, allowing, understanding, loving...being with

Baby

Mother

Community

Whanau

video clip (‘being with’)

THANK YOU

Lauren@centreforattachment.com