Concept and Nature of Attachment - Role of Feeding in Attachment

Attachment behaviour means the close bond between a baby and its mother. It begins during the first year of life when the mother cares for the baby's basic needs. The baby feels comfort, security, and support from the mother’s actions.

• The way the mother feeds—whether with breast or bottle—is important for the baby’s attachment.
• If the mother holds the baby in a pleasant posture, puts the baby on her lap, and makes feeding a happy time, this helps attachment.
• It’s not just feeding, but how feeding is done that matters.

• “Demand feeding” means feeding when the baby cries for food.
• Doctors now suggest feeding on demand because it helps attachment.
• Feeding only at fixed times (on a schedule) is less helpful for attachment.

• When mothers fulfill needs (like feeding and toilet training), babies feel comfort, security, and support.
• Muscle relaxation during feeding helps attachment.

• The baby forms a mental image (“schema”) of the mother’s face or person.
• As a result, babies avoid people who do not match their schema.

• Attachment to the mother can shift to others—father, grandfather, or grandmother—if they are close to the baby and fulfill the baby's needs.
• Playful, friendly interactions with these people increase the child’s attachment and social responsiveness.

• Culture can affect attachment behaviour, but studies show attachment is universal.
• How feeding is done and responses given still matter everywhere.

• Feeding behaviour is very important for attachment.
• Not just feeding, but how feeding happens is important.
• Pleasant and rewarding feeding helps attachment.
• The baby builds a schema of the mother and prefers her.
• Others (father, grandparents) can also become attachment figures.