Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1exp 11/4/83; site ihuxk.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Demand versus scheduled feeding of infants
Message-ID: <505@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 5-Dec-83 18:51:02 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.505
Posted: Mon Dec  5 18:51:02 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 7-Dec-83 09:17:09 EST
References: <492@linus.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 20

In regard to the demand vrs. scheduled feeding issue, I have a comment
on one aspect: the teaching of a child how to cry, ie. spoiling.

I believe that the most commonly accepted school of thought nowadays
is that it is impossible to spoil a child in the first 6 months of life.
(perhaps a little too strongly stated, but that's how some experts put it)
This view states that responding quickly to a chil'd cries (at <6 months,
anyway) will not spoil the child, or make the child more dependent
on his/her parents.  In fact, the belief is that responding quickly to
crying creates a feeling of security that results in greater independence
leter on in the child's development.  This ties in with the general
recommendation for feeding on demand.  I suppose if a schedule can be
adhered to without the child crying, that would be fine as well.
(Of course, twenty years ago schedules were the norm, and most children
turned out just fine.  We're talking about things that are hard to prove! 
My mother was told to feed me every 4 hours on the dot, no matter how much
I cried.  Needless to say, I don't hold that against her!)

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611