Mother-Infant Bonding: A Scientific Fiction (Paperback)

by Dr. Diane E. Eyer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Although recent research has discredited the idea that mothers and their infants must be physically close for up to a year after birth for "bonding" to take place, many pediatricians, nurses, and others still blame mothers` inability to "bond" for all manner of social and physical problems of their offspring. In this absorbing book, Diane E. Eyer traces the history of the bonding myth, explaining its persistent popularity and showing how it reflects a disturbing tendency in our society to accept "scientific" research without question-and without awareness that it can be distorted by professional agendas and public demands.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (December 11, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300060513
• ISBN-13: 978-0300060515
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,994,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bonding - No Fiction, May 9, 2000

By	Kirsten Morse "kmorse" (La Conner, Washington) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Eyer builds a very strong case against scientific studies that use the word "bonding" regarding a critical period immediately following the birth of a child when a new mother will either accept or reject her infant, thereby affecting the child's entire life. It gives any woman who's been separated involuntarily from her infant hope that she may still form an attachment with her baby. It seems that the author is trying to help alleviate mothers of guilt when they choose or need to be apart from their infants.

This book, however, barely addresses breastfeeding and its integral link (or bond, if you will) between mother and child. Breastfeeding builds an overwhelmingly intense relationship with an infant from a few minutes after birth that continues into later life. In the case of exclusive breastfeeding, there is no question when it comes to the word "bonding." For a breastfeeding mother, no science will ever convince her that bonding is a fiction, nor will science ever convince her that being apart from her infant is okay to do.

Nature gave us the tools and the instincts to bear, hold, and feed our infants immediately following birth to form an unbreakable attachment. Eyer makes a good attept at ripping apart scientific efforts to prove that this natural process and behavior in a woman is an okay part of being human.

I highly recommend reading this book, though remaining critical of it regarding your own interests.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bonding - No Fiction, May 9, 2000

By	Kirsten Morse "kmorse" (La Conner, Washington) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Eyer builds a very strong case against scientific studies that use the word "bonding" regarding a critical period immediately following the birth of a child when a new mother will either accept or reject her infant, thereby affecting the child's entire life. It gives any woman who's been separated involuntarily from her infant hope that she may still form an attachment with her baby. It seems that the author is trying to help alleviate mothers of guilt when they choose or need to be apart from their infants.

This book, however, barely addresses breastfeeding and its integral link (or bond, if you will) between mother and child. Breastfeeding builds an overwhelmingly intense relationship with an infant from a few minutes after birth that continues into later life. In the case of exclusive breastfeeding, there is no question when it comes to the word "bonding." For a breastfeeding mother, no science will ever convince her that bonding is a fiction, nor will science ever convince her that being apart from her infant is okay to do.

I highly recommend reading this book, though remaining critical of it regarding your own interests.

5 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A MUST READ BOOK!, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

DR. EYER DID A WONDERFUL JOB. SHE PUT THE INFORMATION IN THE HUMAN LANGUAGE AND THE READING FLOWED WITH EASE. ONCE I STARTED TO READ IT, I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF "WHAT DO MOST EXPERTS SAY ABOUT BONDING"? NO IT'S NOT TRUE. DR. EYER IS ON THE BALL AND I HOPE SHE CONTINUES TO DO RESEARCH IN THIS FIELD.