Initial acquaintance and attachment behavior of siblings with the newborn.

The attachment process of siblings to the newborn was examined. Data were collected from observations of 30 siblings during initial encounters with the newborns and interviews with parents. Sibling behaviors to the newborn fell into two overlapping categories--acquaintance and attachment. The children interacted more with their mothers than with the newborns. No attachment behaviors were seen in children with loss experience. Methods of facilitation of acquaintance were identified.