Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Infant care: cache or carry.

B Lozoff, G Brittenham

    The Journal of Pediatrics
    |September 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Human history shows a consistent infant care pattern with extensive mother-infant contact and breastfeeding. Modern Western practices differ significantly, potentially impacting infant development.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction in the French hemovigilance system.

    Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine·2019
    Same author

    [Impact of iron deficiency in early life stages on children's motor development: a longitudinal follow-up].

    Zhonghua er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of pediatrics·2019
    Same author

    Ferritin levels throughout childhood and metabolic syndrome in adolescent stage.

    Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD·2019
    Same author

    Genetic determinants of BMI from early childhood to adolescence: the Santiago Longitudinal Study.

    Pediatric obesity·2018
    Same author

    Breastfeeding as the sole source of milk for 6 months and adolescent bone mineral density.

    Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2017
    Same author

    Greater early weight gain and shorter breastfeeding are associated with low adolescent adiponectin levels.

    Pediatric obesity·2017
    Same journal

    Blood-Based Biomarkers Predict Cerebral Palsy and Cognitive Delay in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the HEAL Randomized Controlled Trial.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    Same journal

    Does Mild Head Injury in Childhood Affect Later School Performance? A Sibling Comparison Cohort Study.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    Same journal

    Risk Factors for Mortality and Age at Discharge in Preterm Infants with Congenital Heart Disease.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    Same journal

    Safety of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20) in Children in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    Same journal

    Association between Salivary Substance P and Aspiration on Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study in Infants and Toddlers.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    Same journal

    Postoperative Intensive Care Unit Stay After Congenital Lung Malformation Resection: Not Always a Necessary Stop.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Anthropology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Evolutionary Biology

    Background:

    • Human evolutionary history suggests a characteristic infant care pattern.
    • Contemporary hunter-gatherer societies offer insights into ancestral child-rearing practices.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To examine contemporary hunter-gatherer infant care patterns.
    • To compare these patterns with modern Western infant care practices.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of numerically coded measures of infant care in a representative sample of world cultures.
    • Observation of caregiver-infant interactions, physical contact, feeding, and infant autonomy.

    Main Results:

    • Hunter-gatherer infant care is characterized by extensive maternal body contact, prolonged breastfeeding, and immediate response to crying.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Infants in these cultures achieve early independence, spending significant time away from mothers by 2-4 years.
  • Western infant care (US) contrasts sharply, featuring minimal body contact, restricted movement, early weaning, and delayed response to crying.

    • Conclusions:

    • A distinct pattern of infant care has characterized most of human history.
    • Modern Western infant care practices represent a significant departure from this ancestral pattern.
    • These transformations in infant care may have profound effects on infant development and maternal involvement.