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Mothers 'should not get stressed' over crying babies31 July 2006 Mothers should try not to be anxious when their babies cry as it could mean the infants will become less attached to their parents in future, a new study claims. Researchers at the University of Illinois in the US have suggested that a mother's attentiveness to her baby's distress is of vital importance in the development of the bond between parent and child. Writing in the Journal of Family Psychology, Professor Nancy McElwain from the university said: "Unfortunately, sometimes it's difficult for parents to deal with their child's distress. A mother may become anxious when her baby is really unhappy and try to comfort him by saying, 'oh, don't cry, don't cry'. But it's okay to cry." Professor McElwain assessed data from 357 mothers involved in a previous study, analysing how mothers reacted to distress and non-distress in their babies at six and 15 months. Results revealed that the amount of attention a mother gave to her baby when it was crying was more important in terms of attachment and mental security for the child than the amount of attention given when the baby was happy. Professor McElwain suggested that mothers concerned about how to deal with their crying babies could try empathising with them. "Ideally, you want to show your child through your facial expression and your tone of voice that you understand how she feels and that you empathize with her," she said. More information
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