Father's first infant contact

Father's behaviors, both verbal and nonverbal showed an orderly progression and definite sequence. Beginning with peripheral exploration, fathers verbally established the infant's normalcy, while nonverbally touching the infant's extremities with fingertips. As the contact period continued, fathers verbally progressed to more specific responses about the infant. As they verbally related the infant to the family constellation, the father identified the infant as unique and belonging to the family. Nonverbally, touch progressed to fingertip or palm contact on the infant's trunk. These tasks accomplished, the father then established eye-to-eye contact and introduced himself to his infant. As the father carried on a verbal conversation with his infant, he began to interpret the infant's responses, while nonverbally seeking a behavioral response from the infant. The researcher has termed these behaviors the claming phase of the paternal-infant attachment process. Eleven (79%) of the 14 fathers followed both the verbal and nonverbal progressions and sequences stated above. The other three fathers either did not complete the entire progression and sequence or demonstrated a different sequence of behaviors. The lengths of the contacts ranged from 14 to 54 minutes; the average length was 30 minutes. The similarities of results in maternal-infant studies, as reported by Rubin and Ludington-Hoe, and maternal-infant findings in this study suggest several implications for nursing practice. This research indicates that fathers follow the same early steps in the attachment process as do mother; therefore, nursing care of the new family should include facilitation of early paternal-infant contact, wherein the father has an opportunity to handle and talk with his infant. This investigator feels that completion of the claming process should be accomplished prior to instructing the father in caretaking activities, shush as, diapering, feeding, and bathing. A father who refuses to begin the attachment process should be followed as closely as a mother who is having an attachment problem. In determining the long-term effects of early paternal-infant contact, more research on paternal-infant, maternal-infant and family interaction will be needed.