Is Too Much Advice Given To Mothers?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27450, 25 July 1950, Page 2

Is Too Much Advice Given To Mothers?

Commenting in an extract from the annual report of the Plunket Society, which appeared in this column on Friday, a correspondent writes:—"l notice a comment by Dr Raymond Kirk on the number of toddlers admitted to the Karitane Hospital because of feeding and management problems. He suggests that the inexperience, and nervous troubles of the mothers are the cause. From my own experience, and that of many acquaintances, I can tell him that the main cause is that the present-day mothers have become over-anxious and over-conscientious. For years we have been bombarded with advice and instruction on nutrition and child management. Hence, we begin to feel that such, a difficult and responsible job is almost beyond mortal woman. If the children do not eat just the set amount of food, and are below average weight, we think they are on the road to malnutrition: if they show the slightest deviation from “ normal" behaviour we wonder in what way we have sown the seeds of neurosis. Having so often read that there are no “ problem ” children, only “ problem ” parents, we feel that we have failed in our job. Then as like as not we are told that it is all our fault for being in a state of nervous tension!

As regards nutrition, I would seek enlightenment. The Plunket nurses advise against coaxing, or forcing food. But at the Health Camp the children are required to eat all that is set before them. Who is right?