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The Earliest Relationship: Parents, Infants, And The Drama Of Early Attachment
The world-renowned pediatrician, T. Berry Brazelton, and Bertrand G. Cramer, psychoanalyst and pioneer in infant psychiatry, have combined lifetimes of research and practice to write the definitive work on early parent/child relationships. Praised and welcomed by all those who work with new parents--pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers--the book will be a valuable resource for concerned and curious parents.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 1989
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About the author
T. Berry Brazelton
77 books31 followersThomas Berry Brazelton was an American pediatrician, author, and the developer of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 28, 2021
It was written 30+ years ago but it still has some interesting scientific data in it.
All women are mothered in one way or another and in this way, we are informed about our relationship with our children. The mother-to-be’s first attachment is said to begin when she feels the child’s first movement in utero. This, being the fetus’s first contribution to the relationship. In the mother’s mind to see her baby is to see her idealized self and the potential to fulfill past desires and missed opportunities. Chapter 2 well states, “This mobilization of old and new feelings provide the energy necessary in the huge job of adjusting to a new baby.” As the woman sees the baby as a psychological mirror, the baby sees the mother as a physical one. An interactive, attentive infant provides the fuel for the attachment between them to grow. Until birth the primary voice a baby has heard has been that of their mother and when she speaks baby will intuitively turn to find her as if to say, “There you are! I know you!” Immediately after birth, a baby’s eyesight is roughly strong enough to see 8-12 inches, roughly the distance between breast and mother’s face. Baby’s show a preference for human faces compared to non-faces (Salapek & Kessen, 1966). They are psychologically and biologically primed to look for, listen to, and even smell their mother right from birth.
All women are mothered in one way or another and in this way, we are informed about our relationship with our children. The mother-to-be’s first attachment is said to begin when she feels the child’s first movement in utero. This, being the fetus’s first contribution to the relationship. In the mother’s mind to see her baby is to see her idealized self and the potential to fulfill past desires and missed opportunities. Chapter 2 well states, “This mobilization of old and new feelings provide the energy necessary in the huge job of adjusting to a new baby.” As the woman sees the baby as a psychological mirror, the baby sees the mother as a physical one. An interactive, attentive infant provides the fuel for the attachment between them to grow. Until birth the primary voice a baby has heard has been that of their mother and when she speaks baby will intuitively turn to find her as if to say, “There you are! I know you!” Immediately after birth, a baby’s eyesight is roughly strong enough to see 8-12 inches, roughly the distance between breast and mother’s face. Baby’s show a preference for human faces compared to non-faces (Salapek & Kessen, 1966). They are psychologically and biologically primed to look for, listen to, and even smell their mother right from birth.
December 16, 2013
Interesting. Pretty dated and full of overgeneralizing statements about how "all mothers" or "all fathers" feel.
While reading this book, I was simultaneously reading "Bringing Up Bebe." What a contrast in perspectives! Though this book was written by trained clinicians and "Bringing up Bebe" was written by a journalist, I'm persuaded to believe the journalist's suggestions may result in more resilient, more relationally competent and more well-adjusted kids. With almost every chapter, I found a new source of anxiety about ways I am unconciously damaging my child. With "Bringing Up Baby," I felt I had permission to have a cup of coffee and relax in the very ways that "attachment parenting" books condemn. Surely a confident, well-rested parent makes fewer mistakes than an anxious exhausted one.
I appreciated the detailed vignettes depicting attunement and lack of attunement. I also appreciated the emphasis on assessment and parent self-awareness as interventions.
While reading this book, I was simultaneously reading "Bringing Up Bebe." What a contrast in perspectives! Though this book was written by trained clinicians and "Bringing up Bebe" was written by a journalist, I'm persuaded to believe the journalist's suggestions may result in more resilient, more relationally competent and more well-adjusted kids. With almost every chapter, I found a new source of anxiety about ways I am unconciously damaging my child. With "Bringing Up Baby," I felt I had permission to have a cup of coffee and relax in the very ways that "attachment parenting" books condemn. Surely a confident, well-rested parent makes fewer mistakes than an anxious exhausted one.
I appreciated the detailed vignettes depicting attunement and lack of attunement. I also appreciated the emphasis on assessment and parent self-awareness as interventions.
March 20, 2012
I wasn't sure about this one at the beginning but once it got going it was rather interesting. I think it will help with my doula work, especially if the new little one is fussy and easily over-stimulated.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews