What an Infant Needs- Attachment Theory

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Florida International University *

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Psychology

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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What an Infant Needs- Attachment Theory What Does An Infant Need (In Order): 1. Being held by a parent or caregiver 2. Stimulation from toys 3. Lots of clothing 4. Security blanket Would I change my mind on the ranking after watching the video? No, I did not change my mind on my ranking of the importance of an infant’s needs after watching the video. The video Attachment Theory— Understanding the Essential Bond states, “What a child needs is not only to be fed but to be held by an understanding, sensitive, and responsive adult.” (Science Bulletins: Attachment Theory—Understanding the Essential Bond, 2011). I listed being held by a parent or caregiver as the first, most important necessity for infants. The bond between a baby and their parent or caregiver is the most important attachment. Attachment is the connection between two individuals, referring to one side of the relationship. For young children, attachment refers to the lasting relationship that is formed with an adult- typically focusing on a parent or caregiver. Attachment includes the sense of safety and security that an infant feels when in the presence of the caregiving adult or parent (Wittmer, 2011). Being held by a parent or caregiver is the most important necessity for an infant, aside from their basic biological needs like breastmilk/food and warmth/shelter. Being held reinforces the bond between parent and child, and forms an attachment as the infant will feel safe, secure, and calm while being held. This is directly related to a baby’s happiness. Not only does a secure attachment allow children to be happier, it also improves their health. It can help balance cortisol levels that are directly correlated to inflammation and the body’s response to infection. “Attachment influences how the brain is structured and how many stress hormones young children experience…” (Wittmer, 2011). Children who feel a secure attachment to their parent, caregiver, guardian, and even teachers will experience lower cortisol levels when in their presence. “Attachment is the emotional bond of infant to parent or caregiver. It is described as a pattern of emotional and behavioural interaction that develops over time, especially in contexts where infants express a need for attention, comfort, support or security (Van IJzendoorn, 2022). A secure attachment relationship nurtures constructive cognitive, emotional, social and language development in children and influences and
promotes positive relationships with peers and partners as they grow. “Children who are securely attached are predisposed to display positive social behaviours (e.g., empathy and cooperative behaviours) helping them to develop future positive relationships.” (Van IJzendoorn, 2022). Secure attachments also improve infants’ confidence, as they feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their environment, therefore encouraging healthy and helpful exploration and curiosity. “Secure parent-child relationships help children to regulate their emotion in stressful situations and explore their environment with confidence.” (Van IJzendoorn, 2022). Secure attachment truly is the foundation of a healthy, secure, and confident infant. “Early attachment is vital to everything else that happens” (Bruce McEwen, neuroendocrinologist in Science Bulletins: Attachment Theory—Understanding the Essential Bond, 2011). I ranked stimulation from toys as second in the ranking of an infant’s needs as stimulation is the catalyst to proper development in infants. Observations, interaction, and stimulation are how a baby learns about the world around them. This stimulation improves brain development as well as physical development. Clothing is my choice for third most important necessity for an infant as clothing provides warmth, protection, and can even assist with play. Babies cannot fully regulate their body temperature until about six months of age, so it is essential that they are provided the proper clothing to keep them warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot. Babies can also get warmth from a parent or caregivers body heat when being held (which is another reason that it is number one on my list). The last necessity that I set as fourth on my ranking of an infant’s needs is a security blanket. This is because not all infants want or need security blankets. Sure, infants are swaddled when they are young, typically for the first one to three months after birth, but a security blanket is used as something for just that- security. Some babies use toys as security toys, but blankets are more common. I do believe, however, that if infants feel a secure enough attachment to their parents and/or caregivers, that they may not need a security blanket or security toy. I have witnessed this, myself, with my own two little boys. Neither of my sons ever needed, wanted, or used a security blanket, even though I had multiple available to them. Any time that they would accidentally get hurt, feel scared or unsure of a new environment or experience, or was having trouble getting to sleep, they wanted to be picked up and held. No toy or blanket could replace the security they felt (and still feel) when being held by me or their dad. This is still the best feeling in the world. Overall, I stand by my ranking even after watching the video, as it just validates my belief that a secure attachment to a parent, caregiver, or guardian is the single most important thing that an infant needs (aside from proper nutrition and sustenance, safety and shelter).
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