ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines areas of special difficulty in the beginning, middle and last phases of the three-year observation. She illustrates some of Mrs. Esther Bick's central ideas the child in relation to his family, the role of the observer in containing the mother–baby anxieties, the role of the tutor and seminar members in helping the observer. The author reviews a vivid account not only of the infant and of the infant observation experience but also the experience of being in close contact with Bick's thinking. she describes how Bick guided her observations to recall and reflect on what might emerge of the meaning of a tiny infant's behaviour and actions is brilliant and memorable, and as the observation continues, who can be seen to be a very sensitive observer, is contained by the seminar structure and settles. The author provides substantial contributions in integrating infant observation ideas with clinical practice.
