The Importance of Attachment in Child Development

When someone is sick and voices their need for medicine, water, or comfort, there can be two different outcomes. First, someone can hear the need and respond, bring them medicine, and sit beside them as they heal. From this response, the individual who was ill would feel seen, loved, and secure. On the other hand, if someone heard the cry for help and disregarded it, not aiding the person who was sick, then the ill person might feel neglected and over time become detached, lacking trust in others.

For infants, the way a parent reacts, responds, and meets needs is directly related to their attachment style. When a baby cries and their dad changes their diaper, or their mom feeds them, this baby is gaining trust, learning not only that they have a voice but that someone who cares is going to respond to it. The first year of a child’s life is when their attachment style is truly developing, so it’s important to create this security of consistently meeting their needs. When a baby cries, they release cortisol which creates stress and frustration over a need they cannot meet themselves. When their needs are met, however, the crying typically subsides and the baby feels calm, safe, and comforted.

Babies have limited ways of connecting and communicating, yet because they are growing and learning at a fast rate during this time, a caregiver’s attention is vital the outcome of their attachment style. Holding, rocking, responding, and simply smiling at a baby reassures them that they can find trust, safety, and security in others, and so develop a secure attachment style.

Kids start learning at a very young age so it’s important to give your baby unconditional love and teach them that they are cared for, the same way God loves us as his precious children.

“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” - Psalm 139:13