There is reason to think that the young baby has an active emotional life, and that his feelings are intense, fluctuating and often uncontrolled. The worst possible situation for him is to feel deserted, hungry, lonely and helpless. He is entirely dependent on the actions of grownups, and his fear of desertion and starvation must be a real and acute one. A child deprived in babyhood may feel deprived and insecure for much of his life.
Hospitalization in the early months can be very disturbing. Babies suffering from “wasting disease” or similar troubles are frequently treated in hospital. Although his illness may be cured, and he may be well fed and cared for, his loss of personal affection may be very great. The result may be especially damaging in the second year if he has to be away for a considerable time with scarlet fever or diphtheria, or a series of infectious illnesses. His mother may peep at him through a screen, but she cannot reach him. He must feel desperately alone and abandoned with no assurance of return. Often such children will fret so consistently that the infectious trouble is superseded by quite severe anxiety states.
I have known of babies who were given sedatives for sleeplessness, and cases of neurasthenia diagnosed in infancy. Whenever practicable, a young baby should be nursed at home, but better still, contact with a source of infection should be prevented in the early period. Good food, exercise, fresh air, sleep, adequate clothing are good preventatives. It is clear then from a study of young babies and from psycho-analytic work that fear is a very acute feeling in babyhood, and it should be the mother’s first concern to prevent it or allay it immediately. Probably waking at night in the dark in pain or in hunger is one of the worst experiences a baby can suffer unless his cries are heeded immediately and comfort and reassurance given him.
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