In 1972, Ainsworth and Bell conducted a very important study about the impact of picking up a crying baby on their future crying. I believe it was published in Child Development by Bell and Ainsworth titled, "Infant Crying and Maternal Responsiveness," 1972: 43, pp 1171-1190. I'm simply baffled at why this very important study has been cited more frequently nor given attention in child psychology units in text books.
They collected data how often and how consistently parents picked up their crying babies as well as the frequency and duration of their baby's crying. These data were collected during the entire first year and then they compared the parents response to the amount of crying in each quarter of the first year. The very telling result was that the baby's whose parents responded quickly and consistently during the first three months ALWAYS had the babies beginning in month 4 or 5 who cried the least. That is, apparently the responsiveness of the parent to crying will not make a difference during those first 3 months but fairly soon it has been fairly agreed upon that babies who are responded consistently gain a strong sense of security and safety so cry very little after month four. I felt so very fortunate that I had read about this research as my mom warned me about "spoiling" my son as an infant by picking him up when he cries--and sometimes it did feel like that. But I was very consistent and quick in my response to him in distress and by month 5 he never, ever cried. My friends were green with envy--and it was rather remarkable. The secure and valued baby will soon develop a strong sense of self and a strong sense of safety so will become MORE independent, curious and happy as they reach toddlerhood and beyond. BTW, where did Laura Spiegal get her information??!! Please folks, let us play the critical thinkers we ask of our students and ask for and look for the empirical (NOT AUTHORITATIVE)evidence. Joan [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Very, very simplified: According to Erickson, during the first year > one cannot "spoil" a child. If the child's needs are met, such a > comfort when crying, then the child develops both an internal sense > that the world is OK and so is the child. Result = trust. If the > child's needs are not met then result =mistrust in self and others. > > > Raymond Rogoway > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > On Jun 17, 2008, at 7:02 AM, kleisslers wrote: > >> >> Hi Tipsters, >> I have a question about allowing babies to cry.My previous readings >> (5 years or so ago) indicated that one should pick up a crying baby >> quickly, because this would promote a secure attachment, and in the >> long run a securely attached baby cries less as well. My latest >> reading (e.g. Laura Spiegel) recommends letting babies "cry it out", >> indicating that this is good for them physically and emotionally. >> Does anyone know which approach has better support in the literature? >> >> Thanks, >> Kathleen Kleissler, Assistant Prof. >> Psychology Dept. >> Kutztown University >> Kutztown, PA 19530 >> 610-683-4465 >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> --- >> To make changes to your subscription contact: >> >> Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > > > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
