Newborn to Age Three:A

Newborn to Age Three:

1. Any child will react when the family routine has changed and may be anxious, sometimes not understanding why things are different.

   If the mother of an infant is grieving, the infant will sense this emotion an d may withdraw from nursing or become irritable.

   The toddler will react to the response to death by adults and other children in the household. He or she may display shock, despair, pain, and cling to peopl e. Sleeping and eating problems may develop.

2. Children in this age group can not understand death; however they can sen se and/or understand sadness. Any factual explanation about AIDS will be meaning less or confusing to them.
3. If you see children grieving, give them extra love and warmth. Some ways to support them are offering extra hugs and holding, making food a little warmer , cooking some of their favorite foods, and giving them an extra blanket or a sp ecial toy to cuddle at night.