It is known that a mother assumes an important role in the affective development of a baby and consequently in their future relationship The purpose of this paper was to analyze: (a) the first affective relationships between full-term and preterm infants mothers and their babies in the maternity ward of the University Hospital at the Federal University of Alagoas; (b) the differences in that relationship between these two groups of mothers; and (c) the importance of physical contact in the establishment of this bond. The instruments used in data collection were interviews and observation and the content analysis of 28 mothers and their newborns. Psychoanalysis was the theoretical approach adopted. The results showed that all mothers established an affective relationship with their babies, even when the pregnancy was not planned; however, in the preterm infants group this relationship was more difficult, showing that physical contact is important for the establishment of an affective bonding between mother and baby.
affective relationship; preterm infant; full term infant
