Maternal-newborn bonding is the complex process of attachment between a mother and newborn. The authors used the Walker and Avant methodology to conduct a concept analysis regarding maternalnewborn bonding as it relates to advanced practice nurse (APN), the patient, and health care. The attributes of maternal-newborn bonding include affection, association, attachment, and relationship. The consequences of maternal-newborn bonding include love, trust, protection, and maternal-child relationship. The APN must be able to recognize and understand the importance of maternal-newborn bonding to have anoptimal outcome for the patient. A model case, borderline case, and contrary case were discussed to provide an example of the maternal-newborn bonding concept. Discussion regarding empirical referents is also included. Maternal-Newborn Bonding Concept Analysis Publication History:Received: January 27, 2017 Accepted: April 04, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 Keywords:Love, Maternal-newborn bond, Protection, Relationship, Trust Concept AnalysisOpen Access Description of ConceptMaternal-newborn bonding is a concept used throughout the obstetrical and pediatric fields, but not widely known amongst all clinicians. The connection made after birth directly affects both the mother and newborn physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. A strong bond formed between a mother and infant leads to positive outcomes and impacts the maternal child relationship through the lifespan. "The parent-infant bond provides a foundation for future adaptation, relationships, and mental health for children and adults" (p. 246) [1]. Difficulty forming a bond could lead to detrimental problems for the mother, child, society and the healthcare system.The maternal-newborn bond directly influences the healthcare system in a variety of ways. The initial bond that occurs between the mother and child after delivery can play a fundamental role in many physiological and psychological aspects. Physiological or psychological instability could potentially lead to a prolonged length of stay, a higher level of care and increased medical costs. A positive bond leads to a positive home life and good health. Good health could be directly related the mother providing basic needs and medical care for the child. As a result, the children have improved health, a decreased number of medical visits and decreased medical care costs throughout the lifespan. Inversely, a study described a situation of impaired maternal-newborn attachment, a bonding disorder can occur [2]. The impaired bond could lead to a decline in basic needs of the child being met and decrease in necessary medical care needed for healthy growth and development.The concept of maternal-newborn bonding also directly influences advanced practice nurses (APN). Understanding the concept can give the APN an inside view of the relationship that the mother and child have whether positive or negative. A positive maternal-newborn bond detected by the APN provides assurance that needs of the newborn are ...