Practical strategies to enhance mother-infant bonding for premature babies: An evidence-based approach for UK practice

Premature birth frequently disrupts the normal establishment of mother-infant bonding because neonatal intensive care necessitates physical separation, invasive medical interventions and prolonged hospitalisation. Early attachment, however, remains critically important for neurodevelopment, emotional regulation, breastfeeding success and long-term psychological wellbeing. Modern neonatal practice in the UK increasingly recognises that developmental care should extend beyond survival, to include strategies that actively strengthen parent-infant relationships. This article reviews practical, evidence-based interventions to optimise bonding in neonatal units. Emphasis is placed upon family-integrated care, skin-to-skin care, breastfeeding support, parental involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration within NHS neonatal services.