AbstractEffects of handling on both maternal and infant behavior were observed daily on laboratory mice from birth to weaning. Pups were cross‐fostered after 7 days in order to assess enduring effects of handling on mothers and infants separately. The handling manipulation resulted in increases in maternal behavior which were stimulating to pups during the first 7 postpartum days. However these effects dissipated sometime during the 24‐hr period between observations, as handled litters observed prior to the handling manipulation did not differ from unhandled litters, and neither maternal nor infant effects of handling were significant, following cross‐fost