Thank You Mom Part 2

When the infant learns to anticipate help, he becomes quiet when he hears and sees preparations being made to feed him, even though nothing has entered his hungry mouth. The expectation or anticipation of the reduction and satisfaction of the tension of the inner needs becomes associated with the mother or familiar figure. If under favorable circumstance when this occurs, the infant can develop a sense of social trust [being all right, inner certainty and predictable goodness, sense of personal trustworthiness]. The Infant, not only begins to trust another, but begins to trust oneself as well. However, if maternal techniques or responses have failed, forms of discomfort and people associated with them surface. Behaviors such as discomfort or tension of his bowels; unwillingness to let the mother out of sight without undue anxiety ; perhaps biting or unease during feeding; or interference with the depth of his sleep  suggest infant  problems.. If and when this occurs, a sense of distrust is developed [having been deprived, having been divided, and having been abandoned] .Now we have a disruption of mutuality between mother and child. The perception, and imagery that help is on its way is necessary and critical for trust to develop. If not, we have the beginnings of anger, frustration coupled with a perception of a “bad” non-loving or non- giving mother .Further,  a sense of worthlessness, inferiority, and inadequacy follow.

On the other hand, if the mother is too overzealous or overprotective in her behavior, the child may not be able to learn or develop that anticipation or the expectation that assistance is on its way. Some frustration is necessary for optimal development with the key word being “some.” If the mother is too nonresponsive or neglectful with her child, again, the child may not be able to learn, develop, anticipate or expect that assistance is on its way. Too much ignoring or frustration is not good and once again a perception of “bad” mother develops. If so, infant behaviors of  sucking, watching, searching, fingering, babbling, playing, and imagining may not work for the specific satisfaction of some pressing need.

To Be Continued