CITE: Chamberlain, David B. The Sentient Preemie: Discovering the Intuitive Capacities of the Newborn. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2020.
SUMMARY In this book, Chamberlain explores the world of premature infants and shows how they possess remarkable intuitive capacities despite their early birth. He draws on his experiences as a psychologist and researcher, as well as interviews with parents and medical professionals, to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing premature babies and their families. He also discusses the importance of nurturing the emotional and mental development of preemies in the early months and years of life.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Premature infants possess remarkable intuitive capacities despite their early birth
- The emotional and mental development of preemies is crucial in the early months and years of life
- The challenges and opportunities facing premature babies and their families
SELECTED QUOTES
- “The fetus is not a passive, mindless passenger. It is an active participant in its own maturation and survival.” (p. 18)
- “The mental life of the fetus…involves much more than just learning about the physical environment. It involves learning about the emotional environment as well.” (p. 32)
- “The fetal brain is capable of forming memory traces of its experiences, especially if they are accompanied by strong emotions.” (p. 52)
- “If prenatal life is a time of joy and peace, then the newborn comes into the world with an openness to love and a readiness to learn. If prenatal life is a time of fear and stress, then the newborn comes into the world with an expectation of danger and a readiness to protect itself.” (p. 65)
- “If we can honor the awareness and sensitivity of prenates, perhaps we can create a world in which human potential is more fully realized.” (p. 90)
- “The hidden experiences of prenatal life have a profound effect on the quality of our lives, and we can no longer afford to ignore them.” (p. 119)
- “The challenge is to create a society that values the consciousness of prenates, that listens to their voices, and that ensures their well-being.” (p. 136)
