So, Adalind really starts out as a despicable human being. She has little to no moral compass or personal ethics. But then, she decides she wants to save this baby and her entire life changes. Motherhood changes her. She goes from ruthlessly self serving to ruthlessly protective. 

In season 2 she is willing to sell this baby for money and her powers and then by season 4 she’s tearing the universe apart looking for the daughter that was taken from her. 

Is she still pretty terrible most of the time? Yes. But, she does want to protect her daughter.