Julie:

   how is the mother planning to achieve this tan? a tanning bed or
chemicals?

   Alternate feeds: some infants are very sensitve to what is PUT in thier
mouths...that is the dvantage of cup feeding which allows the infant to
controll the feed. I try to find a cery diplomatic and emphatic way to
explain to the parents the infants feeling about its mouth.

   Holding: tough...some infants need/want more holding than others...the
infant's need/desire to be held constantly at this time is not related to the
previous holding other than to see that this has been been a child needing
holding from the start...there are some good books: sandy jones crying
babies, sleepless nights, i think w. sears also has a book on "high need"
children... this mother needs ALOT (yes i am shouting) of emotional support
to a) meet this child's need and b) do so in the face of incredible
opposition.

                               Patricia