[The early parent-child relationship]

Abstract

The occurrence of serious disturbances in the relations between parents and their young children such as emotional deprivation and child battering made us realise, that the attachment of parents to their infant is not a matter of course. In this paper a number of personal and social factors are reviewed, which might influence the bonding between parents and their baby. The foundations of the parent-child relationship are laid in the childhood of the parents themselves. The relation between the parents, their attitude to the expected baby and physical, psychological, social and economic circumstances during pregnancy and during the first period of the child's life are all important for the bonding process. Ideas about parenthood and childrearing practices, that are prevalent in their culture, usually have great influence on the way parents handle their child. The infant itself also has an important part in the developing relationship. From the beginning the parent-child relation is characterised by mutual interaction and subtle dialogue. The first hours and days after birth may be especially important for the start of the bonding process. Breastfeeding provides a unique opportunity for intimate contact between mother and child. Finally the author gives arguments for paying special attention to the observation of parent-child interactions during pediatric history taking and examination.

PIP: The occurrence of serious disturbances between parents and their young children, among them emotional deprivation and child abuse, brought the realization that the attachment of parents to their infants is not a matter of course. A number of personal and social factors are reviewed which could influence the bonding process between parents and their babies. The foundations of the parent-child relationship are laid in the childhoods of the parents themselves. The relation between the parents, their attitude to the expected baby, and physical, psychological, social, and economic circumstances during pregnancy and during the 1st period of the child's life are all important for the bonding process. Ideas about parentood and child rearing practices which are prevalent in their culture usually have great influence on the way parents handle their child. The infant also has an important part in the developing relationship. From the beginning, the parent-child relation is characterized by mutual interaction and subtle dialogue. The 1st hours and days after birth may be most important for the start of the bonding process. Breast feeding provides a unique opportunity for intimate contact between mother and child. Arguments are offered for paying special attention to the observation of parent-child interactions during pediatric history taking and examination. (author's modified)