During our late night rap session (I always wanted to write that) on Saturday we were talking about my adoption fears, wonderings and excitements. I was sharing with them the critical importance of attachment between mother and infant. I thought it would be a good thing to share on my blog, I found the info below to be interesting.
What is with all this "Attachment" Information?
Attachment is the result of the bonding process that occurs between a child and caregiver during the first couple years of the child's life. The first year of life is the year of needs. The infant's primary needs are touch, eye contact, movement, smiles, and nourishment. When the infant has a need, he or she expresses the need through crying. Ideally, the caretaker is able to recognize and satisfy the need. Through this interaction, which occurs hundreds of thousands of times in a year, the child learns that the world is a safe place and trust develops. In addition, emotional connection forms, the child feels empowered in his or her environment, and develops a secure base from which the child can confidently and effectively explore the world. Attachment is reciprocal, the baby and caregiver create this deep, nurturing connection together: It takes two to connect. It is imperative for optimal brain development and emotional health, and its effects are felt physiologically, emotionally, cognitively and socially. When this initial attachment is lacking, children lack the ability to form and maintain loving, intimate relationships. They grow up with an impaired ability to trust that the world is a safe place and that others will take good care of them. Without this sense of trust, children believes that they must be hypervigilant about their own safety. Children without proper care in the first few years of life have an unusually high level of stress hormones, which adversely effect the way crucial aspects of the brain and body develop. Conscience development is dependent upon brain development and follows attachment. Therefore, these children lack prosocial values and morality as well as demonstrating aggressive, disruptive and antisocial behaviors.
Attachment seems like a no brainer.... of course babies needs are always met. This doesn't always happen with children... some children who are orphans don't get the amazing opportunity to bond or attach with a caregiver.
My friend Kelly is such a FANTASTIC mom!!!! (You are Kelly!!) She is a good example of a healthy attachment relationship between mom and twins girls... every time I am around her, I am taking lots of mental notes. It's so cool to see her and the girls interact, you can tell they affixed (attached) real good =)
