The Necessity of Attachment

The book, Infants and Children by Laura E. Berk defines attachment as the strong affectionate tie we feel for special people in our lives that leads us to experience pleasure and joy when we interact with them and to be comforted by their nearness during times of stress.

Attachment is necessary to the growth and development of young children. It begins at birth. Newborns can recognize the sound of their mother's voice. They spend the first hour after birth in a state of quiet alertness. If left alone on their mother's chests, newborns with crawl to the breast and latch.

Building strong bonds continues throughout the first 6 - 8 months. By the time infants have reached this age, they have attached to their caregiver given that the interactions between them have been positive. Attachment is created by meeting the child's needs consistently, warmly and responsively. (Carlson, p.13)

Many studies have proven the need for attachment in children. Children need to have trust for their caregiver in order to devote their inner resources to learning and growing. If a child's needs go unmet, their body goes into "survival mode" and focuses all energy on sustaining life. (Porter, p.4) The levels of the stress hormone cortisol flood they child's system. Too much cortisol over extended periods of time has been proven to cause brain damage in infants. (Juan, p.2) It kills brain cells and reduces the connections amount existing cells. (Carlson, p.10) A study at Harvard University sites the need for touch and closeness in infancy in order to establish relationships later in life. The American way of seeking independence in infants through neglect can be traumatic. Harvard researchers say that common practices such as allowing an infant to "cry it out" results in "a nation that doesn't like caring for its own children, a violent nation marked by loose, nonphysical relationships."

The importance of attachment does not end at the first birthday. Several studies have showed that "two-year-olds maintain as much, if not more, closeness to their mothers as their one-year-old counterparts." (Porter, p.5) Alice S. Honig said "a well-cuddled baby with an available and intimately tuned-in caregiver is more likely to feel secure enough to toddle off on splendid adventures." (Carlson p. 13)

Dr. William Sears is responsible for a parenting school of thought called "Attachment Parenting." Although the term is relatively new, the processes are reminiscent of an earlier time in human development. In fact, many of the principles are practiced in other cultures across the world. Dr. Sears lists the following as the "Tools of Attachment":

The Baby B's
- Birth Bonding
- Breastfeeding
- Baby-wearing
- Bedding Close to Baby
- Belief in the Language Value of Baby's Cry
- Beware of Baby Trainers
- Balance
(http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T130300.asp)

He encourages parents to use these tools as a way to form an attachment with their baby. He stresses that these are guidelines and only the beginning of a truly attached relationship that should grow over time.

With all this information, what are we as early childhood professionals supposed to do? In what ways can we encourage strong attachment to a parent, and form attachment to ourselves? We can begin by examining the "Tools of Attachment" and find ways to utilize them in a child care setting.

Although we cannot control whether or not a mother chooses to breastfeed, we can encourage a mother who already does. We can educate ourselves in the proper storage and warming of breast milk. Some mothers that work close by may wish to visit their babies and nurse during a lunch break. The mother should have a comfortable place to sit with her baby with a table nearby for water and a snack. The caregivers should be aware of the mother's intentions and avoid feeding right before the mother arrives. It is also important to encourage a nursing mother. Take time to research the benefits of breastfeeding. A nursing mother can feel like giving up sometimes, so it's important for her to know that there are people who recognize how difficult it is to maintain an adequate supply and applaud her efforts.

Research has shown the benefits of wearing a baby in a soft carrier. Infants worn in soft slings are more likely to be securely attached to their caregivers. Laura Simeon, MA, MLIS gives the following reasons to wear a baby:

Ten Reasons to Wear your Baby
- Wearing a baby is convenient.
- Wearing a baby promotes physical development.
- Babies worn in slings are happier.
- Baby-wearing is healthy for you!
- Toddlers appreciate the security of the sling.
- Baby-wearing helps you and your baby to communicate with each other.
- Slings are a bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers.
- Slings are a safe place for a child to be.
- Slings are economical.
- Baby-wearing is fun.
(http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/laura_simeon.html)

Anyone with a small amount of sewing ability can make economical baby carriers to be worn by the staff of an infant program. A wrap is essentially a long piece of material 12 - 15 feet long and 20 - 40 inches wide. It can be made longer for taller or bigger wearers. It is tied on to the wearer in many different fashions. A ring sling is 2 ¼ - 2 ½ yards of fabric with two 3" heavy rings secured at one end. An Asian Baby Carrier is a rectangle of fabric with two waist straps and two shoulder straps. Each carrier has many free patterns available online. The wrap and Asian Baby Carrier have no-sew patterns available.

Infants communicate by crying. Since they have no words this is their only means of communicating a need. It is important that we are receptive to an infants needs and meet them as quickly and warmly as possible. As we meet a child's need, their trust and attachment grow.

In the US, the typical 4 month old spends 40% of his or her waking hours in a car seat. (Carlson, p.13) Since the invention of the car seats with handles that come easily out of the car, parents have left their baby in them longer. Parents also spend a great deal of money on swings, bouncer seats, walkers and strollers. All of these things interrupt the process of attachment. If an infant needs soothing, a caregiver should soothe him or her. Relying on baby trainers creates a baby who depends on things rather than people.

As caregivers, it is important that we take care of ourselves. We need to balance the needs of the children with our own needs. If you begin to feel overwhelmed take a break. A change in music or activities may also help to ease the stress of caring for infants and toddlers. Set up the room with space for quiet and boisterous activities. If you or an infant you are caring for seems over stimulated, go to the quiet part of the room.

You can also talk to parents about the importance of their roles in their child's life. A child may benefit from bringing in a shirt that smells like their mother, or having pictures of their family placed on the wall next to their crib. Having a cubby for toddlers that contain these things may be enough of a secure base to enable their exploring and learning.

The most important thing is to remember that each child is an individual. While we all have the same basic needs, each child has unique needs as well. During the process of attachment, you will get to know each child and their own special needs.

Attachment is necessary to the growth and development of young children. Research has proven this beyond doubt. Being mindful of our interactions with children can lead to strong attachments to both the parents and us as caregivers. Strong attachment to important people in the child's life will lead to trust in the world as a good and happy place.

Works Cited:
Berk, Laura E. Infants and Children. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc., 2005.
Carlson, Frances M. Essential Touch. Washington, DC: NAEYC, 2006.
Juan, Dr. Stephen "Can leaving a baby to "cry it out" cause brain damage?." The Register. 14 Jul 2006. 12 Feb 2007.
(http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/14/the_odd_body_crying/print.html)
National Association for the Education of Young Children, Prevention of Child Abuse in Early Childhood Programs. 1996. Online. 12 Feb 2007.
(www.naeyc.org/about/positions/pdf/pschab98.pdf)
Porter, Lauren Lindsey "The Science of Attachment: The Biological Roots of Love." Mothering Magazine. Jul 2003. 12 Feb 2007.
(http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/bonding/science-of-attachment.html)
Powell, Alvin "Children Need Touching and Attention, Harvard Researchers Say." The Harvard University Gazette. 09 Apr 1998. 12 Feb 2007.
(http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNeedTou.html)
Sears, MD, Dr. William., and Martha Sears, RN. The Attachment Parenting Book. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2002.
Simeon, MA, MLIS, Laura Ten Reasons to Wear Your Baby. Online. 12 Feb 2007.
(http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/laura_simeon.html)