Is it possible to "spoil" an infant? How young do you think a child can be spoiled?

Question

Does anyone have any sources (research studies, etc.) to support either answer? In other words, what do developmentalists say?

Answer 1

No, you can't spoil a young baby. Their wants *are* needs. Research has shown that a baby whose cries are responded to cries less later.

Babies can't be spoiled by giving them of yourself. You will know when the opportunity to spoil comes along. The baby will be asking for *things*. It could be candy, or she/he might want you to buy every toy in the toy store. But if a baby is crying to be picked up, you will *not* spoil her/him by giving what she/he needs.

Answer 2

Its very possible. At a young age like one or maybe a month younger and all the mother does is carry the infant around and she hasnt been exposed to different social environments with the infant. This can cause the infant to cry when the mother puts it down for jus a sec or is tired of picking him or her up. Also, if the mother gets annoyed really quickly and she gives the infant whatever he or she wants when they r crying. That can cause an infant to become spoiled and cry when they dont get what they want at the moment.

Answer 3

It's not possible to spoil a baby. They are born with the biological NEED to be close to their mothers. This is built in for the sake of survival, so that they can be close to their protection and food source.

I dont have sources off hand, but the website http://www.mothering.com is a very attatchment-parenting friendly site (in other words, breastfeed on demand, carry your baby wherever you go, sleep with your baby, etc)

I think there is a point where a child can be spoiled, but not with too much love. When kids start crawling and walking, they start the long process of distancing themselves from their parents. A parent's job is to help guide the child to learn for him/herself what is right and wrong, what is safe and dangerous, what is good and bad, hot and cold,etc etc etc. I dont think its a parent's job to hover over a child every second of the day, but to be there and available for the child whenever s/he needs them. And I certainly don't think it's a parent's job to plop her child in a carseat/stroller/whatever the newest fashion baby accessory is and leave it alone (whether it's to cry or sleep or whatever) - it deprives a child of social interaction, of loving affection, of eye, ear and skin stimulation and all the rest.

Remember that babies HAD to be carried all the time thousands of years ago, HAD to be breastfed, needed their mothers like the rest of us need water and air.

Answer 4

It is not possible to spoil a child under the age of a year. Before a year old, their brains are not developed enough to understand manipulation, getting their way, etc. All they know is they have needs and want them met (like hunger, cold, need for closeness, fear, fatigue, etc). The most important thing for a baby is to understand that the world is a place where their needs will get met.

Answer 5

You simply can't spoil an infant. Giving your baby lots of physical contact and attention will make him feel secure and confident of your love. Still, this is a good time to lay the groundwork for teaching patience and self-reliance, says Andrew D. Racine, M.D., director of the division of general pediatrics at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, in the Bronx.

Answer 6

I don't believe you can spoil an infant. They need to feel loved and secure, warm, well fed and dry. Skin to skin contact. It's all so important to bond with an infant. Spoiling is giving them stuff that they want, not need. Manipulation is not in an infant's vocabulary.

Answer 7

yes it is because my little sister was spoiled and we had to give her medicine! You don't want to spoil a new born because they will think that if they get in trouble or do something wrong that you would take up for him/her! Just take caution and do not hold the baby all day, hold him/her and then put him/her down in a car seat or a chair! And MAY YOU PLEASE VOTE ME BEST ANSWER????????

Answer 8

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Answer 9

part of parenting is to set limits and boundaries. if you're spoiling your child then they'll learn early and get spoiled. it doesn't take long to spoil your child!

Answer 10

if you are talking about a newborn..no you can't spoil them. but you can when they start wanting everything..around a year...and if you constantly give in, then when they get older, they will expect you to give/buy them anything and everything you want