Nurse-infant bonding: A theory synthesis

This theory synthesis of Hill & Flanagan's concept of bonding and Swanson's Theory of Caring yields a situation-specific theory of Nurse-Infant Bonding to describe and explain this phenomenon. The outcomes for the nurse, infant, and mother (or parental figure) are identified to support the importance of nurse-infant bonding and important developmental outcomes. Implementation of these cognitive processes and observable actions must be implemented by the nurse in settings in which an infant is at risk for poor physical, social, and emotional development.