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Crying Babies and the Possibilities for Abuse (2)

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We looked at the three types of crying in infants in our previous article as well as the established notion that adults actually find the sound of a baby crying aversive. Today we will look at ways that parents attempt to overcome their natural instincts towards the sound of babies crying, and the varying levels of success in doing so. One of the most useful preparations for successful parenting is exposure via babysitting to easy-to-soothe babies. Babies do not come out of the womb with cookie-cutter personalities as any experienced parent knows only too well. Psychologically speaking, babies can be … Continue reading →

Crying Babies and the Possibilities for Abuse (1)

A baby’s cry is a survival mechanism as it draws attention to an infant in distress. Three distinct patterns of crying have been documented in newborns and it is interesting to observe the way primary caregivers relate to each of these specific crying patterns. The first type of cry is the so-called “rhythmic” cry, which consists of a regular pulsating sequence of cries and gasps. It usually denotes that baby is uncomfortable, hungry or bored. The second type of cry is labeled the “mad” cry and occurs when the infant is frustrated, as would occur if a feeding baby were … Continue reading →

Optimizing Development of Your Baby

We all want a happy, healthy baby and. although the uterus is an exceptionally safe and comfortable environment for your growing baby, there are additional precautions that all expectant mothers can undertake to ensure that their baby receives the best start in life. Eat an adequate and balanced diet before and during pregnancy The nutritional needs of your developing baby as well as your own depend on a sound diet. Serious malnutrition, not only from lack of food but lack of nutritious food, can interfere with normal prenatal growth and may limit your baby’s intelligence. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption Studies … Continue reading →

Adult Reactions to Beauty in Babies

We all think that our babies are just the most beautiful babies in the world. And, for the mental and physical wellbeing of our babies, that is a good thing. Yet the reality is that babies are relatively unattractive, with their overly-large heads, often misshapen by difficult births. With their podgy pot bellies and their tendency to be chinless and bald, they are far removed from the classic understanding of beauty. Yet we don’t care. Part of the magic of being a parent is falling in love with your own child, and for that child, that is all that matters. … Continue reading →

Babies and Dreaming

While adults spend less than a quarter of their sleep time engaged in dreaming (or REM sleep), young babies engage in REM sleep for over 50% of their total sleep time. So why do babies dream more than adults? Why should infants dream so much when they have far less activities during the day that might trigger dreams? One theory claims that REM sleep provides young babies with the mental stimulation their growing brains need. The phenomenon has been equated to activities such as kicking in the womb, whereby the fetus “practices” kicking and walking actions in preparation for later … Continue reading →

More concerns with Prozac and other SSRIs

A psychiatrist who headed at team of researchers at Columbia University in New York City has found that young mice given Prozac grow into adult mice who display emotional problems, chiefly depression. The results add to the growing unrest concerning the effect of Prozac and other SSRI-type antidepressants on young children, adolescents, and the embryos of pregnant women. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac, Paxil and many other antidepressants in this family are coming under increasing scrutiny as their long term effects are not known. In the Columbia University experiment, young mice were injected with Prozac and given … Continue reading →