The bond of cuddling may prevent baby battering

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 12

The bond of cuddling may prevent baby battering

NZPA-PA London A simple cuddle between a naked, newborn child and its mother is said to prevent baby battering later. That is the view put forward with the full weight of a Government White Paper, which says: “This skin-to-skin contact, reinforced if the baby is put to the breast, can help the ‘bonding’ between mother and baby.” But the White Paper also puts forward ways of helping when things go wrong. It says that central registers of “non-accidental injury” cases should be considered. These would serve three main purposes: Bringing together information about families under stress who often seek support from a succession of different agencies or take their children to different hospitals for treatment. Providing a central

record against which the support for children and their families by all agencies can be monitored.

Developing u record to provide, in the longer term, a comprehensive assessment of factors relating to non-acciden-tal injury. The White Paper, entitled “Violence to Children,” is the Government’s response to a report from the Commons select committee on violence in the family. The White Paper says that the Government has recommended registers in been set up, but there is a the past and some have need for greater standardisation in their compilation, content and use. These issues will be studied over the next few months with the aim of issuing draft guidance for consultation before the end fo the year. On the actual birth of a child, the Government endorses the committee’s view that this must be

handled with “sensitivity” by hospitals. To reinforce this, the White Paper quotes from an earlier discussion paper which says: “While recent developments in obstetrics have made birth safer, some of the more technical procedures can create an impersonal environment for the mother. “The whole experience should be a happy one, with high standards of hygiene and the necessary equipment provided in homely, comfortable surroundings.” A birth is usually very much a family event, and involving the rest of the family can help make the mother feel more at ease and remove any sense of isolation. To help establish a warm relationship, the naked baby should be put if possible, into his mother’s arms at birth to be cuddled and looked over closely, and it is this contact which can help the “bonding.”

One of the early warning signs of possible abuse later is a mother’s rejection of her baby before birth and in the first few days afterwards. The White Paper says that the key to stopping baby battering is spotting families at risk at an early stage.

“The prospect of doing this is increasing as a result of research which has identified some of the symptoms by which such families can be recognised,” it says.

But it admits: “It will never be possible to guarantee to protect every child against the risk of non-accidental injury.

“The Government therefore asks all involved to do everything possible to ensure that established arrangements for identifying and treating cases at the earliest possible stage work effectively and are developed to meet merging needs.” The White Paper supports the select com-

mittee’s view that young people of all intellectual levels would benefit from education for parenthood. And it also agrees that authorities should make advice readily available about services and facilities for families. More mother and toddler clubs should be established and the Government “hopes that both local authorities and voluntary organisations will bear this in mind.” The select committee looked into the special needs of children taken into care after abuse by their families, and recommended that extra resources should be devoted to the children and those who care for them, including foster parents. The White Paper says it is up to local authorities to decide what resources can be allocated, but it agrees that “special attention” should be paid to the needs Of these children.