A strong emotional bond with the parents is crucial for child development

A strong emotional bond with the parents is a key factor in the baby's development (but also later in life). When a baby feels safe and loved, he/she is more willing and courageous to explore the world around him/her. It is how a baby learns and discovers, as well as develops communication skills, relationships with others, motor skills, speech.

From the baby's perspective, emotional security means the perception and experience that the parent, first of all, notices and understands his/her needs, both physiological (food, wakefulness, sleep, care), and emotional and social (need for belonging, tenderness, calming, emotion regulation/management, encouragement, support, naming a new situation, research and learning, etc.). Further, for the baby, emotional security means the perception and experience that the parent is ready and able to respond to these needs. This is why the emotional bond your baby feels is shaped by the things you do together, the way you spend time with your baby, and how the baby feels with you.

Emotional security develops when you constantly, warmly and gently respond to your baby's needs. Thus, for a strong emotional bond and the baby's development, the earliest foundations are laid by a smile, tenderness, talking to the baby, cuddling, a special time dedicated to playing and enjoyment together. As your baby grows, you will also recognize new ways of connecting with him/her.