CITE:Â Janus, L., & Levend, H. Bonding Begins Before Birth. Mattes. 2011.
Also: Levend H, Janus L. Bindung beginnt vor der Geburt. Mattes, Heidelberg. 2011.
SUMMARY
In “Bonding Begins Before Birth,” Ludwig Janus and Helga Levend explore the importance of early bonding experiences in shaping a person’s emotional development and relationships throughout life. They argue that the prenatal period is a crucial time for the establishment of emotional bonds between the developing fetus and their parents, and that understanding and addressing these experiences can have profound implications for mental health and well-being.
The book begins by examining the psychological and physiological changes that take place during pregnancy, and the ways in which these changes can influence the developing fetus. Janus and Levend then explore the role of early bonding experiences in shaping an individual’s emotional development and their capacity for intimacy, trust, and attachment in relationships.
Throughout the book, the authors draw on case studies and clinical examples to illustrate the complex interplay between prenatal experiences, early bonding, and emotional development. They also provide practical recommendations for how parents and healthcare professionals can support healthy bonding and attachment from the prenatal period onwards, including techniques such as prenatal counseling, skin-to-skin contact, and infant massage.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The importance of early bonding experiences in shaping emotional development and relationships throughout life.
- The role of prenatal experiences in establishing emotional bonds between the developing fetus and their parents.
- The potential long-term implications of disrupted bonding and attachment experiences in infancy and childhood.
- The role of healthcare professionals and parents in supporting healthy bonding and attachment, including through techniques such as prenatal counseling, skin-to-skin contact, and infant massage.
SELECTED QUOTES
- “Bonding begins before birth… the prenatal period is a time of active bonding and interaction between the developing fetus and their parents” (p. 3).
- “Disruptions in the prenatal and perinatal bonding process can have profound implications for the child’s emotional development and their capacity for intimacy and attachment later in life” (p. 32).
- “Parents and healthcare professionals can support healthy bonding and attachment through techniques such as prenatal counseling, skin-to-skin contact, and infant massage” (p. 67).