Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Addresses the central issues of infancy. This volume collates the author's mature reflections on the relationship between mothers and their babies and on the psychological processes taking place in the infant around the time of birth and shortly afterwards.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. vii)
• Editors' Preface (p. xiii)
• Chapter 1 the Ordinary Devoted Mother (p. 3)
• Chapter 2 Knowing and Learning (p. 15)
• Chapter 3 Breast-Feeding as Communication (p. 23)
• Chapter 4 the Newborn and His Mother (p. 35)
• Chapter 5 the Beginning of the Individual (p. 51)
• Chapter 6 Environmental Health in Infancy (p. 59)
• Chapter 7 The Contribution of Psychoanalysis to Midwifery (p. 69)
• Chapter 7 Dependence in Child Care (p. 83)
• Chapter 9 Communication Between Infant and Mother, and Mother and Infant, Compared and Contrasted (p. 89)
• Original Source of Each Chapter (p. 105)
• Bibliographical Note the Works of D. W. Winnicott (p. 111)
• Index (p. 113)
• D. W. Winnicott 1896-1971 (p. 127)
• Classics in Child Development Also in This Series (p. 129)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

The second book to be published this year featuring hitherto unpublished material culled from the estate of the eminent British psychoanalyst, who died in 1971. This volume focuses on the symbiotic relationship between infant and mother. Winnicott is dealing with a period in Britain when most mothers stayed home with their children, breast-fed them, and were always expected to be there as a nurturing, protective presence. In these speeches to doctors, nurses and mothers, Winnicott conveys his deep belief that most women possess an instinctive understanding of what their babies need and want in the way of care, and he deplores those who interfere with this instinctual nurturing. He also contends that breast-feeding provides a deep communion between mother and infant that enhances their mutual learning processes. Yet he also condemns professionals who try to convince reluctant mothers to breast-feed. His voice, as he traces the baby's development and relationship to its mother from the womb, through birth to growing independence, is sonorous and civilized. Yet he is frequently humorous and always humane. He brings us back to those halcyon days before parents juggled jobs, surrogate childcare, tight schedules and tight finances. Winnicott's observations and recommendations do have a certain historic interest. And, like Dr. Spock, he is most reassuring. His calm, avuncular advice could have value for today's new mothers. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Donald W. Winnicott was born into a well-to-do nonconformist family in Plymouth, England. He started his career as a pediatrician at the Paddington Green Children's Hospital in London. While working there, he developed an increasing interest in, and concern for, the emotional problems of his parents, as well as some of his patients. Hence, he later became a psychoanalyst and child psychiatrist. Twice president of the British Psycho-Analytical Society and the author of many books, Winnicott took the theory of emotional development back into earliest infancy, even before birth. His ideas, along with those of his contemporaries, led to the development of the British "object relations" school within psychoanalysis. This focused on familiar, inanimate objects that children use to counter anxiety during times of stress. (Bowker Author Biography)