This literature review has revealed that
maternal touch has the potential to play a
significant role for low birthweight infants
in their development of a secure
attachment20,22.While kissing, hugging and
caressing have been associated with
attachment outcomes for both mothers
and infants20, mothers specifically have also
expressed the feeling of intenseness and
‘connectedness’ through kangaroo
holding22. Behavioural observations
reinforce these findings; acknowledging
that mothers notice behavioural cues and
intervene to comfort their infant
appropriately when undertaking skin-toskin
holding22. Skin-to-skin contact is also
supported by BLISS27, as a method of
increasing attachment between mother
and baby.