Bonding: Building The Foundations Of Secure Attachment And Independence

by Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell, Phyllis H. Klaus

The mighty bond between parent and child is one of the enduring wonders of psychology. John Kennell and Marshall and Phyllis Klaus bring decades of research, insight, and clinical practice into one book that offers parents, and those who care for them during pregnancy, everything they need to know to enhance this essential relationship. This important work explores the effects of various birth practices and situations—prenatal testing, labor support, testing of newborns, breast feeding, prematurity, and adoption—on the parents' feelings and on the development of later attachment and independence.

Genres: Parenting

268 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read circa 1999, after being aware of the author's theories for many years; my review from then: A wonderful book about bonding between parents and new babies. In the '70s, Klaus and his research had a major effect in changing hospital practices about how much contact parents have with a new baby directly after birth. He found that interactions in the first few hours or days can have a strong effect on the later relationship between parent and child. This book is directed at parents, and includes his classic findings and summaries of newer studies. It has a warm and caring tone and a wealth of interesting information. My only problem with it was that sometimes I couldn't tell who the intended audience was (the jacket notes and intro said parents). For example, the recommendations at the ends of chapters were sometimes directed at doctors, hospitals, nurses, etc. And I don't know how many parents want to read so much about the subject. Still, highly recommended for anyone interested, including medical professionals. I found the chapter on premature babies especially interesting (I had premature twins).

[Lina Alsagient · Rating 5 out of 5]

βρήκα πολύ ενδιαφέρον το βιβλίο ειδικά για νέους γονείς. έρευνες και στοιχεία που ακόμη και σήμερα δεν εφαρμόζονται στην Ελλάδα παρά τα αποδεδειγμένα οφέλη. παρουσιάζει τη σημασία του δεσμού των γονέων με το παιδί από την Προγεννητική περίοδο ακόμη. Την σημασία της μεθόδου skin to skin, της συγκοιμισης, του baby wearing,του θηλασμού κλπ. Ένα βοήθημα για τις μητέρες που βομβαρδίζονται με πληροφορίες και θέλουν να στηρίξουν τις επιλογές τους για μια πιο στενή επαφή με το μωρό τους από τα πρώτα δευτερόλεπτα της ζωής του.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the emphasis on how important it is for baby to bond with mom/dad (or /2-4 consistent caregivers). how to facilitate that is well indicated, and studies referenced.

[Heather Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've learned the importance of a dula. When I have my next child (my 4th), I will hire a dula. It's sounds benneficial. And I won't have my mother there next time to take care of. This book taught me about the importance of a mother being able to focus on her newborn and that it's natural for a mother to need extra reassurance right after the birth for a few days (so I need a dula to give me that reassurance and safe love). This book also told of a very interesting study about right when a baby is born to a mom that hasn't had any pain killer and then places naked on the mom's bear adomen, he/she will gaze at the mother for a half hour and then crawl up to the breast him/herself and latch on by him/herself! Incredible! They said that the breast, if not recently washed with soap, gives off a scent to guide the newborn. I'm not sure why letting him/her crawl up by him/herself would be important to the newborn. But I am convinced that the initial gazing at each other permotes bonding that will make the parentings tasks ahead much more enjoyable and probably help the child to be more emotionally stable/healthy/happy.
Study after study is shown in this book about the importance the first hour and days are in making boding with your baby easier. I'm convinced to make my next delivery one where they leave the baby alone with me and daddy for the first hour and do all that testing and eye goop later (unless there' some need for medical concern).
They also stress the importance of staring into the babies eyes. I've noticed this alreay as being important with my 3 kids. I thought it seems to help them attatch and feel secure and this book confirms this observation.
I read most of this book but just was tired of hearing it repeat it's information and so finally just stopped reading it and returned it to it's owner (nothing shameful in not finishing a book if you aren't getting anything out of it anymore, eh?).

[Jessica]

HBC recommended