What is the Difference Between Bonding and Attachment?

Bonding and attachment are both important aspects of the early parent-infant relationship, but they have distinct characteristics and focus on different aspects of the relationship.

Bonding:

Refers to the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of the parent towards the baby.
Focuses on the parent's emotional connection to the child.
Begins before the child's birth and is heavily influenced by experiences during pregnancy.
Develops quickly in the first days and weeks of life, with physical contact being an important component.
Can be assessed through self-rated questionnaires, such as the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) or the Post-partum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ).

Attachment:

Refers to the baby's emotional connection with the parents (or primary caregiver).
Can be described as a secure, reciprocal, and long-lasting bond.
Develops over the course of the first year of the child's life.
Focuses on the child's need for security and closeness with the primary caregiver.
Assessed through observations of the child's behavior, such as how they respond to the caregiver's presence or absence.

In summary, attachment focuses on the child's emotional connection with the primary caregiver, whereas bonding refers to the parent's emotional connection with the child. Attachment develops over a longer period and is crucial for the child's emotional and social development, while bonding is more about the parent's feelings and attachment to the child.