Infant crying: cries? tears? ... and whispers

Although infant screaming and crying can be a symptom of medical or surgica l pathology, it is also a way for the baby to express himself towards his f amily circle. Once excluded a possible organic disease, infant crying must be interpreted by assessing the family interaction and the way parents list en to their child; that does not mean susbstituting oneself to the parent's capacity for analysing and replying to the child's needs. (C) 1999 Elsevie r, Paris.