Question

At 10 months of age, Suzie is very active, responds intensely to stimulation, avoids new stimulation, and tends to be irritable and fussy. Suzie's mother, Anne, wants to be a good caregiver, but Suzie's fussiness and intensity have made her feel like a failure. Anne sometimes finds herself withdrawing from Suzie and not responding when Suzie cries, because she feels like it will do no good. What advice should Anne's counselor give her?

a. Anne has been too responsive to the baby's crying. She needs to refuse to go to the baby when it cries to teach Suzie to be more independent.
b. Anne is not responsible for her baby's fussiness. Some babies are needier and more negative than others. In the long run, continuing to be responsive to crying will help Suzie regulate her emotions.
c. It really doesn't matter what Anne does. Of course Suzie needs to be fed, diapered, and so on, but Anne's responsiveness will not affect whether Suzie cries a lot or a little.
d. Anne's counselor should not advise on this matter.

Answer 1

Anne should continue to respond to Suzie's needs as it is crucial for developing a secure attachment, which aids in emotional regulation. Her responsiveness will help Suzie learn to manage her intense reactions and contribute to her emotional and social development.

Step-by-step explanation:

The advice that Anne's counselor should give her, based on attachment theory and research into parenting, is that she should continue to be responsive to Suzie's needs. It is important for Suzie to have consistent and reliable care so she can develop a secure attachment, which will help her regulate her emotions. The theory of attachment indicates that responsiveness from a caregiver leads to better emotional regulation in children, while withdrawal or inconsistency can contribute to insecure attachment patterns, such as avoidant or resistant attachment.

Anne is not responsible for her baby's innate fussiness or temperament, as these factors can vary widely among children. However, Anne's continuous support and responsiveness are crucial for Suzie's emotional development and can help mitigate the intensity of her reactions over time. Research by Ainsworth and others has shown the importance of a caregiver's sensitivity and attentiveness in forming a secure attachment, thereby providing a foundation for healthy emotional and social development.

Therefore, despite the challenges posed by Suzie's behavior, Anne is encouraged to maintain a nurturing and responsive approach to caregiving, offering comfort when Suzie is distressed and fostering a stable and secure environment for her daughter.