Safe and secure: Suggestions for sharing care of babies and toddlers

ABSTRACT Infants and toddlers form critical attachments to both their mothers and fathers if the parent is caring and available to the child with regularity. Given that one secure attachment has been shown to promote healthy development in important ways and that it remains unknown at birth which parent will best generate that attachment, it is wise to provide each parent enough time with the child to foster attachment, including children whose parents do not live together. Although babies may be temporarily stressed by the early introduction of an unfamiliar parent, there is little likelihood of lasting harm if there is screening for violence and serious mental illness in parents who are of concern and if the unfamiliar parent is introduced with sensitivity.