Sam writes: IErickson's stages: f the parents expose the child to warmth, regularity, and dependable affection, the infant's view of the world will be one of trust. Should the parents fail to provide a secure environment and to meet the child's basic need a sense of mistrust will result. According to Erikson, the major developmental task in infancy is to learn whether or not other people, especially primary caregivers, regularly satisfy basic needs. If caregivers are consistent sources of food, comfort, and affection, an infant learns trust- that others are dependable and reliable. ~~ Sadly, I hear this used also to justify the "let the baby alone for 12 hours" because it is SO reliable, and consistent. If a mother ignores her baby for the same 12 hours every night she is very consistent. Somehow the "dependable affection" is only to happen the other 12 hours, if that is even recognized as a basic need, and that is seen as enough. It is consistent and reliable. Sigh... I still lean toward the ridiculous( in their eyes) when I need to and ask parents if they are afraid their infant will never learn to use the toilet because they allow them to soil diapers right now with no worry about getting them out of them in time... Peace, Judy Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL Brooklyn, NY, USA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome