Assessed behavioral and physiological differences between 61 breast-fed and 39 bottle-fed neonates. Mean postpartum assessment occurred at 37 hours. Results suggest that breast-fed infants had significantly longer heart periods, elevated heart period variability, and higher vagal tone than bottle-fed infants. (Author/RWB)

Surveys of the growth of rural Philippine infants indicate that monthly gain slows down at three months with stunting evident in the second year despite common breastfeeding for one year. A program that reinforced the use of local food as supplementary nourishment and encouraged family planning led to improved growth. (DB)

The prosodic features of maternal speech to infants were measured quantitatively in a tonal language, Mandarin Chinese, to determine whether the features were similar to those observed in nontonal languages such as English and German. The pattern of results for Mandarin motherese was similar to that reported for other languages. (PCB)

Investigates the perceptual representation of speech by young infants using a modification of the high-amplitude sucking (HAS) procedure. Results demonstrate that the infants' representations preserve detailed information about both the consonantal and vocalic portions of the syllables. (Author/RWB)

Tests for hearing loss in infants are discussed, followed by a description of types of hearing aids, including one that is hung on the infant's body and covered by clothing. The need to respect children's feelings about wearing their hearing aids is emphasized. (JW)

Adults indicated on questionnaires the age at which they believed infants were first able to perform various developmental skills. Some questionnaires asked about "boys," some about "girls," and some about "babies." Contrary to previous findings, sex labels did not affect adults' rating of behaviors. (Author/LHW)

Examined changes in the psychological distress of 280 new mothers over a one-year period. Regression analyses showed mother's social network had no impact on changes in psychological distress. However, the cognitive experience of social support and the degree of marital intimacy make significant independent contributions to changes in…

Compares maltreated and nonmaltreated infants and their caregivers with regard to security and quality of the attachment relationship over time. The finding that a greater proportion of maltreated infants in each of three age groups was insecurely attached is in accordance with the predictions based on Ainsworth's and Bowlby's attachment theory.…

Reviews a model by Joel Kleinman (proposed in this issue) for comparing State infant mortality rates to long-term trends. Asserts that even States with non-significant test results may have problems needing attention. Argues that the model may not be practically applied by State health officials. (KH)

Interviewed mature and teenage mothers to assess their knowledge of infant development and their child development information sources. Results indicated that education, age, and type of occupation affect mothers' expectations for infant development and their information sources; teenage mothers lacked substantial information. (NRB)

The paper describes a model of services for 38 infants and young children whose primary handicap was a communication disorder or for whom a communication disorder was a related problem. Data indicated that the model was effective in producing child growth in receptive and expressive language, as well as other developmental areas. (Author/CL)

Investigated continuities in mother-infant interaction observed at home, maternally perceived infant difficulties, and infant developmental competency. Also assessed were background characteristics and possible variables moderating maternal report of satisfaction with adjustment. A total of 128 dyads were assessed when infants were 6 and 13 months…

Two experiments involving a total of 177 infants 8 to 11 months of age found that subjects used a global processing strategy like adults' in discriminating transformations of a six-tone melody. Subjects needed melodic contour and frequency range to judge new sequences, but, in easy tasks, they also used absolute frequency. (CB)

Takes issue with articles appearing in "Reading Teacher" entitled "Portrait of My Son as an Early Reader." Argues that parents who teach their children to read at an early age may neglect or overlook other essentials of their physical, emotional, and social growth. (FL)

Examination of an early intervention program featuring combination home- and center-based, transdisciplinary team services for children with moderate to severe disabilities and their parents indicated statistically significant positive behavioral changes for both children and their parents. No relationship was found, however, between amount of…