How important is the role of a biological mother in child's development?

Q: My client is trying to get equal custody of one of her children, four and six years old respectively. What is the importance of the role of a biological mother in child's development? The client has stayed clean and sober successfully for one year and attends aftercare on a weekly basis at our county facility.

A:The care of the biological mother is particularly important under the following circumstances:1. If she has bonded with the infant from the time of its birth and there is already an emotional tie, which she can sustain.2. If she is breast-feeding the child (many academic articles and UNICEF support the giving of breast-milk) and it is to be continued.Nature endows the mother with feelings of warmth, affection and protectiveness towards the child and under normal circumstances she will be the most suitable care-giver for infants and young children. However, love, tenderness, and consistency in parental behaviour are essential for the infants and children to survive and thrive, whether they are from a biological or non-biological mother. There are several books in the field of Child Development which emphasize the socio-psychological aspects of mothering, which you can refer to in this regard.