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We’ve seen parents successfully use a variant of this…

“We’ve seen parents successfully use a variant of this approach when an infant cries to be fed. Instead of immediately feeding the crying child, the mother lets the child know that the signal has been received but then waits for her or him to quiet down before offering the breast or the bottle…” quote by Roy F. Baumeister
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““We’ve seen parents successfully use a variant of this approach when an infant cries to be fed. Instead of immediately feeding the crying child, the mother lets the child know that the signal has been received but then waits for her or him to quiet down before offering the breast or the bottle. Again, it’s hard to ignore the cries at first, and we realize that to some parents it sounds too cruel to even try. But””

Roy F. Baumeister

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Delaying immediate gratification for a child can teach self‑soothing, though it may feel harsh initially.

In simple terms: Waiting before feeding helps children learn to calm themselves.

Key Takeaway

Practice responsive yet patient caregiving.

Themes

parenting self‑regulation delayed response

Mood

empathetic analytical

Type

psychological educational

When to use this quote

  • infant feeding
  • sleep training
  • emotional coaching

Key Concepts

attachment theory behavioral conditioning child development

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance responsiveness with fostering independence?
  • What signs indicate a child is ready for self‑soothing?
A Different Perspective

Some may view the approach as neglectful or too strict.

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