The impact of differences in maternal self-efficacy and infant difficulty on mothers' sensitivity to small changes in the fundamental frequency of an audiotaped infant's cry was explored in 2 experiments. The experiments share in common experimental manipulations of infant difficulty, a laboratory derived measure of maternal efficacy (low,…

The authors document the conceptualization, over time, of "fussy baby syndrome" and the establishment of a Fussy Baby Clinic. Excessive infant crying (commonly called colic) typically subsides in the first 3 months but may set up a cycle of parent-infant distress. Families studied felt a high degree of emotional stress and physical exhaustion;…

Noting that today's short hospital stays leave almost no time for educating parents on caring for a newborn, this viewer's guide and videotape explore what to expect the first month after birth. The first part of the viewer's guide presents an overview of the videotape and suggestions for discussion and research in the context of a parenting…

Studied the impact of massage three times per week on infants' adjustment to a group care setting. Subjects were infants from at-risk Chilean homes who displayed negative emotional behaviors. Found that massaged infants showed less repetitive crying, more tranquil sleep and muscular relaxation, better social adjustment, and improved feeding…

Proposes an accepting attitude toward all crying in young children. Notes that crying has been found to be an important and beneficial physiological process that helps children cope with stress. (BB)

The effects of fetal cocaine exposure on newborn cry characteristics were studied in 80 cocaine-exposed and 80 control infants. Findings were consistent with the notion that two neurobehavioral syndromes, excitable and depressed, can be described in cocaine-exposed infants and that these two syndromes are a result of direct neurotoxic effects and…

Objective: This study investigated the effect of child witness demeanor (defined as crying) on mock jurors' decisions in a simulated First-Degree rape trial. Method: One hundred and thirty-three undergraduates serving in the role of mock jurors read a trial summary in which the primary independent variable was the demeanor of the alleged child…

Analyzed data from 11 studies of concordance of mother/father attachment to an infant based on the Strange Situation. Found that security of attachment, type of insecurity, and subcategory classification of security to one parent depended on the other parent. Discussed parenting styles and infant temperament. (BC)

A case study assessed the efficacy of extinction of parental attention on nighttime crying of a 2-year-old Dutch child with a physical disability. Parents of the child were instructed to ignore nighttime crying. Extinction of parental attention was effective in the elimination and long-term maintenance of nighttime crying. (Author/CR)

A study investigated the performance of high- and low-risk (for child abuse) mothers on cognitive measures in a cry (crying infant) and no-cry condition. High-risk mothers had lower conceptual ability, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills. The difficulty high-risk mothers have in using feedback to modify their behavior is discussed.…

Discusses the benefits of attachment parenting, which emphasizes parental commitment, a low-stress pregnancy, childbirth preparation, breast-feeding with child-led weaning, prompt response to the baby's crying, flexible sleeping arrangements, close-knit father-mother-baby functioning, and the avoidance of detachment parenting. Attachment parenting…

The father of a boy with Down's syndrome describes his early efforts to cope with his emotions by being strong and hiding his feelings, due to his social conditioning, and subsequent recognition of the importance of expressing his emotions. Problems men face in expressing grief and sharing feelings are discussed in this personal narrative. (PB)

Two articles discuss problems that infant caregivers deal with in their work place. The first article provides ideas on how to take care of and pacify a crying baby; the second discusses the experience of a caregiver in a group child-care situation which involved her own child, noting the transition from infant room to toddler room. (AA)

While infant behaviour is influenced by maternal care, infant crying and dysregulated sleep can reciprocally affect maternal mood. The temperament and behaviour of two 4-12-months-old infant cohorts admitted with their mothers to a residential parenting program were examined using behaviour charts and the Short Infant Temperament Questionnaire…

Investigates the effects of an intervention program involving educational, vocational, and parenting classes; social and drug rehabilitation; and infant day care on polydrug-using adolescent mothers. Results show that mothers' and infants' interactions improved, mothers demonstrated a lower incidence of drug use and pregnancy, and a greater number…