Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
For ages, we have held the belief that children have a natural bond with their mothers. Recent studies suggest that infants latch on to their mothers for security and comfort, especially during the early stages of infancy. Research also shows that the child’s attachment and interactions with the primary caregiver could have a considerable impact on his or her future life (1). The challenge, therefore, is to ensure the quality of one’s bond with the baby.
New mothers go to great lengths to provide a secure and loving atmosphere for their babies to grow in. However, what would happen if the baby and the mother are separated shortly after birth? Though hospitals these days take strict measures to prevent mishaps such as babies getting mixed up, there are occasional reports of such incidents. Recently, a woman from the United States shared the story of how she lost her baby due to a mistake and how they found him again. Interestingly, this baby, who accidentally got swapped at the hospital of his birth, took more than a year to re-bond with his mother (2).
In 2015, Mercy Casanellas, a native of El Salvador who lives in Texas, USA, gave birth to a baby boy in a hospital in El Salvador. Soon after the delivery, the baby and mother got separated when the baby was taken away for postnatal procedures like checking the baby’s weight. Casanellas was reportedly sedated because she was visibly anxious.
Although the hospital staff brought back the baby when she woke up, she had an inkling that this wasn’t the same baby. When Casanellas voiced her suspicion, she was assured that this was her baby. Casanellas and her husband had no choice but to take their word for it.
Image: Shutterstock
A DNA test conducted later proved that Casanellas’s fear was true. The baby they came home with, whom they named Jacob, was not the baby she gave birth to. They filed a case against the doctor for human trafficking. They traveled back to El Salvador in search of their real son. The search was fruitful, and the parents got their own baby back. The doctor was set free when the investigation showed that the babies got switched by mistake.
As if this story isn’t interesting enough, Casanellas was in for a bigger surprise. After being separated from his mother for over 12 months, her son did not recognize her as his mother. He was in the care of a different woman for so long, the baby boy, named Moses, didn’t respond well to being back in Casanellas’ arms.
For a new mother, this can be disheartening. Casanellas shared how baby Moses didn’t have a real emotional connection with her. Unlike most babies, Moses would never cry when his mother was away. After many unsuccessful attempts at rebuilding the broken bond with her baby, Casanellas decided to be there for her son, to console and comfort him, even though she wasn’t sure he recognized her as his mother.
Image: Shutterstock
Casanellas’s troubles as a mother didn’t end there. As a toddler, young Moses displayed slowed growth and signs of speech delay. His mother was anxious and worried, until one day, Moses got upset when she was dropping him off at daycare. This was an emotional moment for Casanellas, who had been waiting for such a response from him for months after she got him back. Shortly after Moses turned three, he started talking and called Casanellas “mama” for the first time.
Despite it being grueling, Casanellas and her husband is grateful to have reunited with their baby. After giving up all hopes of seeing him again, getting their baby back was like a miracle to them.
Do you have an interesting story relating to hospitals and childbirth? Also, what do you do to bond with your young one? Please share with us below in the comments.
