Hi All,
   I was going to answer this post privately, but decided to go to the
list for it. In answer to research or studies on separation, Brenda
Hunter, Ph.D & Isabella Fox, Ph.D have both done a wonderful job of
pulling together the research that has been done on the separation of
mother and infant.
   Dr. Hunter's is presented in the book, "Home By Choice" and Dr. Fox's
is in the book, "Being There." I personally feel that these books are
great for anyone on both sides of the issue of staying (at home) with an
infant or leaving (for employment). Dr. Hunter wrote her book after her
2nd child developed problems when a nanny quit and she decided to stay
at home with her and Dr. Fox, addresses the issue of having to return to
work and minimizing the trauma of the separation.

Leslie Ward