Which Erikson stage corresponds to birth to 18 months and focuses on whether the child's nourishment and care needs are met?

• A. 18 to 30 months (Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt)
• B. Adolescence (Identity vs Role Confusion)
• C. Birth to 18 months (Basic Trust vs Basic Mistrust)
• D. 2 1/2 to 5 years (Initiative vs Guilt)

Answer: (C)

In infancy, the key idea is how a baby’s basic needs are met by caregivers. This stage, Basic Trust vs Basic Mistrust, centers on whether nourishment, warmth, comfort, and consistent care lead the child to feel that the world is reliable and people can be trusted. When caregivers respond reliably, the infant develops a sense of safety and basic trust; when responses are inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may grow up with basic mistrust and a sense that the environment is unpredictable. The other options describe later stages—autonomy vs. shame and doubt in toddlerhood, identity vs. role confusion in adolescence, and initiative vs. guilt in preschool years—and they focus on different challenges, not the foundational care and feeding that establish early trust.