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A few long term longitudinal studies have been conducted on attachment development. In the present case study, Sunshine, a healthy female infant, was observed for one year to investigate micro-mechanisms of early attachment. Behavior patterns such as eating, drinking, sleep, bathing, social interaction and action, were registered objectively every day. The results indicated different stages of attachment development and a close relationship of attachment development and prenatal environment was found. Sunshine developed from the first stage of “uterus attachment”, from birth to about 1.5 months old, to the second stage of “uterus-like attachment”, about 1.5-6 months old, including generalized “uterus-like attachment”, from 1.5 to 2.5 months old, and differentiated “uterus-like attachment”, from 2.5 to 6 months old, and then to the third stage of “social uterus attachment”, 6 months after birth. The developmental process of early attachment is essentially characterized by the gradual promotion of socialization extent. The research provided a new understanding of early attachment of children, and redefined the start point of attachment. The following hypotheses can be proposed: “uterus attachment” is the start point of children’s attachment, and afterbirth attachment can be seen as the extension and continuation of “uterus attachment” in social environment, and a deep relationship exist between both; and, emotional warmth and security provided by adults may be the determinant factors of children’s attachment quality.
