Expert answer: Sandy Bailey, certified family life educator

No. Your baby needs all the care and attention you can give. Ignore the advice of well-meaning relatives who think babies need to learn independence. Instead, listen to your parental instinct – that inner voice that tells you to comfort your baby when he or she cries.

"Spoiled children" have learned to use negative behavior to get what they want. But your baby is too young to purposefully manipulate or annoy you. He or she cries to communicate needs, whether they're for a snack, a dry diaper, or a little cuddling with Mom or Dad. When you respond quickly to your baby, you're building his or her sense of self-worth. You're also establishing a foundation of trust that can last for years to come.

If you give your baby prompt attention, he or she will feel more secure and less anxious, gaining courage to explore the world. And once your baby understands that you take his or her cries seriously, he or she will be less likely to cry for no reason. In the long run, responding quickly to your baby's needs will make your child less clingy and demanding, not more.

By the time your baby is 6 to 8 months old, he or she will be paying close attention to cause and effect – noticing, for instance, that a bowl falls when dropped from the highchair.

Your baby will also start to see a direct link between his or her actions and your responses. At this point it's okay to set some limits. If your baby starts crying to get something he or she doesn't need, hold your ground and give a hug when your baby calms down. Similarly, give hugs and praise for good behavior and gently redirect your baby when he or she is doing something hazardous.

The right blend of love and guidance will eventually help your child understand his or her place in the world. But for now, your focus should be on giving your baby as much attention and comfort as you can. No matter how much you give, it's not more than your child needs.

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