Dianne, Parallels my personal experience. Thought I was a great mom, with the first two kids rather placid. Third child like to drove me out of my skull sometimes as a baby and toddler - seemed born angry. (Doctor told me it was because I was up-tight about his care. Popular theme back in the 1950's. Why had I "done so well" with # 1 & #2?) Turned out to be a gifted child- perfect pitch - musical talent - crosscountry runner - great grades (when he wanted to), 2nd in his class in law school. For years I tried to figure out what I had done differently. I finally figured it was genetic makeup - more ectodermal tissue than endodermal or something. More sensory end organs in ears, eyes, skin etc. Baby #4 was placid by comparison. I knew right what to do when baby #5 started out so sensitive. Fed her in a quiet, darkened room, etc. to cut down stimuli. Another gifted child, it turns out. Whenever I have a client who describes her baby thus, I tell her it may be that she has a particularly bright child who's picking up a lot more stimulation from his environment than other babies. I have never followed up to see if this is so, but the theory sure helped me through my motherhood! I love em' all, but they were born with a different genetic makeups and personalities, and this has carried through all the way through adulthood so far. K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC Dayton, Ohio ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html