The Development of an Infant-Mother Attachment

Theory

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, attachment theory was introduced in the 1950s by psychoanalyst John Bowlby. "Attachment" refers to an emotional bond between an infant and caregiver where the infant seeks the caregiver for closeness and support, especially when feeling upset. In most cultures, infants are primarily attached to the mother. Attachment theory speaks to the emotional bond formed between all human infants and caregivers, the role of the caregiver in nurturing the bond, the anxiety in the separation of the bond, grieving the loss of the attachment, and how either a secure or anxious bond contributes to later relationships in the life of the infant.

Influencing Factors

• Various factors influence the development of an infant-mother attachment. Mothers who are anxious or have emotional disorders may be more likely to foster an anxious attachment with their infants by not sensitively responding to their babies&' needs, ignoring their babies’ signals at times while over-responding at other times, mourning, and child abuse. Mothers who possess characteristics of flexibility, nurturance and autonomy are more likely to create a secure attachment with their infants. Outside factors such as socioeconomic status and family and cultural support also play into the development of infant-mother attachment.

Consequences

• Infants respond to life in the way other humans respond to them. Infants who have a secure attachment with their mother are more sociable and likely to respond to situations in life with enthusiasm, persistence, cooperation and competence. Infants who have a more anxious attachment tend to lack trust and emotional awareness. An anxious attachment also leads to repressed feelings, an inability to discuss or relate to uncomfortable feelings, frustration, anger, defensiveness and aggression.

Importance

• The importance of the attachment between infants and mothers has been demonstrated in research across various cultures. A secure bond ensures infants are protected, nurtured and fed adequately to thrive in the world. Babies come into the world unable to process the multiple stimuli they encounter on their own. A child who is soothed and held is able to integrate the stress of simply being alive while in the loving care of a parent. Children who are stressed due to neglect, abuse or a lack of affection are more likely to become ill because of decreased immunity.

Nurturance

• While the development of a healthy infant-mother attachment may not come naturally to all mothers, the skills needed to create a nurturing bond can be learned. One of the first steps is to focus on connecting with the baby through close contact, talking, massaging and singing. Mothers can learn from other mothers in support groups and can research ideas for how to foster the mother-infant attachment. Society plays a big role in the development of the mother-baby bond and can work to create a culture where this bond is expected, nurtured and given space to grow. Allowing mothers to take a break and enjoy their babies provides the opportunity to simply nurture the secure attachment that leads to a new generation of well-adjusted children.