I remember being struck by how my son, David, looked at me – really looked at me. He took in my facial expressions, my words, the tunes I sang, and responded with his own changes in facial expression, babbling and body movements. Wow! Wasn’t he just the brightest, most wonderful baby ever! Of course that’s how every parent feels!

Having a good relationship with your child by responding to his cues and meeting his needs in a warm, caring way creates a close emotional bond referred to as “secure attachment”. By “cues”, I mean signals such as little frowns, wrinkled forehead, turning his face away, crying, smiling, imitating our expressions, rubbing his eyes, rooting, arching his back, cooing and laughing.

Why is this important?

When a child feels safe and secure, he’s more likely to explore his surroundings.  Knowing his parents are close by if he needs them, he may try new things, be more likely to interact with other children and adults, and develop confidence.

Secure attachment also affects a baby’s brain development. It influences his thinking, learning, feeling and behaviour throughout life. When children form close relationships early in life, they:

• Are better able to learn
• Cope with stress better
• Have fewer behaviour problems
• Are more likely to have better social skills

Don’t worry too much about trying to figure out exactly why your baby is crying. There were definitely times when I didn’t know why David was crying. Sometimes it is obvious, like a wet diaper, and other times it’s not. That’s perfectly ok – the important thing is that you try to comfort him, so that he learns to depend on you. And despite what you might hear, you can’t spoil a baby by comforting them when they are in distress/crying.

By responding to your baby when he is upset:

• He will cry less
• He will learn to soothe himself better
• He will respond more quickly if he needs you to comfort him

How can you build a secure attachment?

• Be available and caring, comfort your baby when he is upset
• Talk and sing songs to him, giving him a chance to respond, play with him
• Respond to his cues
• Cuddle him, engage with him through touch – show him and tell him you love him
• Provide a safe environment
• Accept him as a unique individual with his own personality and identity

This video demonstrates the importance of responding positively to your infant:

Children benefit in so many ways when we are responsive, sensitive and comforting. And research supports this as secure attachment “has been associated with better outcomes in areas such as independence, self-image, empathy and relationships with others in toddler-hood, school-age and adolescence”(Adapted from the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development).

Learning to respond sensitively to your infant now, will set the foundation for a secure relationship for years to come!

For more information about responding to your baby and building a secure attachment, or to share your own story, connect with us:

• Leave us a comment below
• Tweet with us @haltonparents
• Follow us on Facebook
• Email us at haltonparents@halton.ca

For parenting information or to speak with a public health nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) simply dial 311 or 905-825-6000.