Studies have shown that how a child is received, the mother's attitude towards the infant, and what the infant experiences in the first months has a significant effect in long-term health and development[3]. Intense or constant negative adult emotions, even if not directed at them, can deeply affect the child. Overstimulation and interruption can exhaust them and hold them back from important learning tasks, just as under-stimulation and lack of needed attention and care can also inhibit their development.
By creating a quiet, simple, warm, nurturing environment, we allow the child to 'awaken' at their own pace. We can provide quiet rooms that are visually appealing and not too cluttered or busy, that are free of strong perfumes and smells, and have gentle lighting, and we can clothe and swaddle the baby in warm, soft, natural fabrics.
By giving gentle, loving care, and by responding to their cries and expressions, we foster a sense of trust and faith in the world. And by respecting the learning tasks they have in the different stages of development, and not rushing them, we allow them to learn when they are ready. Creating an atmosphere of peacefulness and gratitude, and surrounding the baby with beauty, natural human sounds, sounds of nature, singing and gentle, live music [4] (avoiding recorded music) eases their way into life and allows them to grow and learn freely.
See The importance of breastfeeding and colostrum
Clothing and care for the baby
Respecting the baby's first tasks
ARTICLES
Jane Swain - Pikler’s Trust in the Wise Infant.htm
Salter, Joan - nourishing the senses, eyes and ears.htm
Pikler, Emmi - development of movement- stages.htm
[1] Kabat-Zinn, Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn. Everyday Blessings - The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting. Hyperion, New York 1997
[2] Gartner, LM, et al.. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. National Guideline Clearinghouse www.guideline.gov Pediatrics 2005 Feb;115(2):496-506., 8 March 2009, researched August 2009 <http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=6499&nbr=4072&ss=6&xl=999>
[3] Dunber, Flanders. The Effect of the Mother's Emotional Attitude on the Infant. Psychosomatic Medicine, Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine Vol. 6, Issue 2, 156-159, 1 April 1944, June 2009 <http://www.pschosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/reprint/6/2/156.pdf>
[4] Arnon, Dr Shmuel. Live Music Calms Premature Babies. BBC News online, September 3, 2004, researched June 2009 < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3624442.stm>
[5] Pikler, Emmi, Friedliche Babys, zufriedene Mütter. Pädagogische Ratschläge einer Kinderärztin Herder Verlag, Freiburg, Germany 2000
