What should adults focus on when caring for infants?

Focusing on responsiveness when caring for infants is crucial because it fosters a secure attachment between the caregiver and the child. Infants rely on adults to meet their needs, and being responsive means recognizing and responding to their cues, such as crying or cooing. This practice helps infants develop trust and a sense of safety, which is foundational for their emotional and social development.

In infancy, the emphasis should be on attunement to the child’s signals and building a nurturing relationship rather than promoting independence or self-sufficiency, which are more relevant to older children. While discipline and routine may be important later, at this stage, the priority is on providing a loving and consistent environment. Additionally, while medical and health concerns are undoubtedly important, they do not encompass the broader relational aspect that responsiveness entails. Instead, attentiveness to an infant’s emotional and physical needs reinforces their development and well-being.