Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Primary caregivers are individuals who assume significant responsibility for nurturing, caring for, and meeting the needs of another person. In this context, it refers to those who primarily take care of newborn babies.
Maternal Bonding: The emotional connection between a mother and her child, often strengthened through physical contact and caregiving.
Paternal Bonding: The emotional connection between a father and his child, also strengthened through active involvement in caregiving.
Caregiver-infant Interaction: The dynamic relationship between a primary caregiver and an infant involving communication, responsiveness, and mutual influence.