The power of moment-to-moment interactions between caregivers and infants
Early relationships
Practitioners and researchers agree that early caregiving relationships form the basis of children鈥檚 growth and learning during the early childhood years. From the earliest moments when infants experience the warmth and security of a caregiver鈥檚 touch, the interplay of relationships and development begins. The relationships formed with significant primary caregivers, including early childhood care and education providers, become the core context for the child鈥檚 development-- the 鈥渘urture鈥 part of the nature/nurture balance. The quality of an infant's caregiving relationship shapes all domains of development, from social-emotional to cognitive to language.
Serve and return
Research on early brain development has confirmed that newborns come into the world biologically pre-wired to seek interaction, and infant development has been described as a 鈥渟erve and return鈥 process. In other words, the interactions between infant and caregiver are recognized to have a significant influence on the developmental course of the child. When an infant smiles and his caregiver smiles back in return, that infant has received a contingent response, and will smile again, inviting additional nurturing responses from her caregiver. In such interactions, both the child and caregiver are seen as active partners in the exchange, much like in a game of tennis. When caregivers are sensitive and responsive to a young child鈥檚 signals and needs, they provide an environment rich in serve and return experiences. Over time, these experiences offer comfort and predictability for both caregiver and child, forming the basis of a nurturing, reciprocal relationship.
Attachment
Attachment is a term used to describe the emotional bond that develops over time as the infant and primary caregiver interact. Through repeated serve-and-return moments, infants learn to trust caregivers and learn to use the caregiver as a provider of a 鈥渟ecure base.鈥 In other words, the caregiver provides the 鈥渉ome base鈥 from which a child ventures out and explores new environments. This secure base enables the child to feel confident and ready to explore. And, when infants become afraid or distressed or uncertain, they know that they can return to their caregivers and receive the warmth and support needed to feel ready to explore the world again. There is evidence that a secure attachment/relationship with a caregiver (even a childcare provider or early childhood teacher) supports children鈥檚 development across domains.
Everyday Ways to Promote Attachment
Below are some ideas for routine activities that can help strengthen the bond between caregiver and child. Most of these activities are things that caregivers do instinctively, but caring for a baby is hard work, and sometimes we need reminders of just how important these moment-moment interactions can be.
Touch
A baby鈥檚 first experience with the surrounding environment occurs through touch. Holding your baby close to you helps him feel safe and protected, and physical contact has countless benefits for caregiver and baby, including forming a stronger bond. So snuggle your baby throughout the day: while feeding, playing, putting to sleep, etc. Remember, you can鈥檛 spoil a newborn!
Bonus tip: Try skin-to-skin contact. Take some time each day to hold your baby close to your bare skin. Your baby will enjoy the warmth of your body and the sound of your heartbeat, and you'll love the sensation of contact with your body.
Face-to-face time
Research has shown that babies prefer to look at faces over anything else, and spending time face-to-face with your baby is a fun and simple activity that promotes early attachment. Be sure to make eye contact with your baby. Smile at your baby, does he smile back? Even young babies can mimic facial expressions. See if you can get him to imitate other facial expressions that you make.
Talking with baby
Your baby loves listening to the sound of your voice, and talking with your baby is an important way to encourage early language skills. Imitate your baby鈥檚 sounds: when she coos, coo back! Ask your baby a question: 鈥淲hat should we do today?鈥 and be sure to pause and give your baby an opportunity to respond. This 鈥渢urn taking鈥 makes your baby feel important and teaches her the basics of back-and-forth communication.
Bonus tip: Don鈥檛 be afraid to use 鈥渂aby talk鈥 with your baby. Research has found that babies prefer this high-pitched and melodic 鈥渋nfant-directed speech,鈥 and using it actually promotes language development.
Be affectionate and nurturing, even when your baby is fussy
Caring for an infant can be difficult. Crying is a baby鈥檚 primary way of communicating, and it鈥檚 normal for infants to cry up to 3 hours per day! But it鈥檚 important to be patient during the tough times. When you support your baby when he鈥檚 fussy or crying a lot, you are letting him know that he can trust and rely on you no matter what. This support makes him feel safe and helps him learn to calm himself as he grows.
Bonus tip: If your baby is crying a lot, ask for help. Let your partner or another loved one take over while you take a break. Use the time to take a nap or simply relax. If you鈥檙e worried about your ability to cope with a crying baby, contact a family member or friend, your health care provider, a local crisis intervention service, or a mental health help line for support.
Additional Resources:
- Read more about how interactions shape brain development from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
- Have a fussy baby? can help. If you are struggling to care for a baby who is fussy, crying excessively, or has difficulties with sleeping or feeding, call the warmline at 1-888-431-BABY
The Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention conducts high quality research on early childhood education and early intervention programs. You can follow us on X at .