Which statement about infant states is true?

Which statement about infant states is true?

• A. Crying is one of the six states.
• B. Feeding is one of the six states.
• C. Calm Awake is listed as a state.
• D. Hiccups are one of the six states.

Answer: (A)

Infant states are distinct patterns of arousal and responsiveness that newborns cycle through. The six commonly described states are deep sleep, active sleep, drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying. Crying is a true state because it is a recognizable, sustained pattern with specific cues—vocalization, irregular breathing, and increased motor activity—that signal distress or a need for interaction. Feeding isn’t a state; it’s an activity the baby may perform within a state. Hiccups are reflexive and not considered one of the six states. Calm awake isn’t the standard label; the appropriate awake state is quiet alert, which is notably different from crying.

Infant states are distinct patterns of arousal and responsiveness that newborns cycle through. The six commonly described states are deep sleep, active sleep, drowsy, quiet alert, active alert, and crying. Crying is a true state because it is a recognizable, sustained pattern with specific cues—vocalization, irregular breathing, and increased motor activity—that signal distress or a need for interaction. Feeding isn’t a state; it’s an activity the baby may perform within a state. Hiccups are reflexive and not considered one of the six states. Calm awake isn’t the standard label; the appropriate awake state is quiet alert, which is notably different from crying.