240 Part Three Infants
Because babies develop so
quickly in the fi rst year, they
have many needs. To meet their
physical needs, adults must
understand babies and respond
to their signals. Adults must
also meet baby’s mental needs
with activities that help infants
learn and develop. To meet their
social-emotional needs, parents
must touch, hold, and look at
babies lovingly. Galinsky calls this
the nurturing stage of parenting.
Babies develop best when
they feel the love and joy of their
caregivers. By meeting a baby’s
needs promptly, adults help the
baby develop trust. From learning to
trust others, the baby becomes more
aware of his or her own abilities.
Physical Needs
Babies need others to meet all
their physical needs. Physical needs
are the most basic needs of humans.
These include the needs for food
and sleep. Babies who are hungry,
tired, or sick suffer in physical,
mental, social, and emotional ways.
For example, a baby who is fed late
may not want to play and explore.
The baby may also act fussy.
Feeding
The need for food is the baby’s
most basic physical need. This is
because a baby’s body grows so
quickly in the fi rst year. In fact, the
body grows three times faster in
the fi rst year than in the second or
third year. The baby is also busy
exploring and developing, 11-1. A
healthful diet provides the nutrients
the baby needs to grow, explore,
and develop. Nutrients are the
substances in food that give babies
energy and help them grow.
Meeting a baby’s food needs
quickly alleviates hunger. Some
studies indicate that, for very young
babies, the sensation of hunger may
be physically painful. A hungry
baby may cry until fed. This cry
of hunger differs from other cries,
which makes it easy for parents to
recognize. Responding promptly to
the baby’s need for food teaches the
infant his or her needs will be met.
Erikson calls this learning a sense of
basic trust.
Feeding times can also be
comforting for babies. As adults
feed a baby, they should show
warmth and concern. This helps
deepen their relationship with the
baby. Being cared for by gentle,
loving adults promotes a baby’s
social and emotional development.
11-1
A healthful diet is essential for
meeting the physical needs of the
baby’s body as he or she grows,
develops, and explores.
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