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October 2006 - New study on parental response to crying babies |
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A study conducted by the
Queensland University of Technology and Riverton Early Parenting Centre indicated that parents should follow their instincts
in picking up their baby if they are crying.
Response to parental
fears
The study responded to the concerns of Riverton clinical nurses about parents who chose to ignore
their children's crying, in fear of spoiling them.
- About 20 per cent of first-time parents and 30
per cent of experienced parents were uncertain about picking up their crying baby.
- Almost 25 per cent of
first-time parents and just over 10 per cent of experienced parents believed picking up a crying baby would spoil
them.
Study recommendations
Professor Karen Thorpe of
Queensland University of Technology summarised the study findings:
'We need to ensure
nurses, educators and health professionals are providing parents with consistent and appropriate guidelines for caring for
their baby'.
'It is also important for parents to have the confidence to trust their
instincts when it comes to caring for their baby'.
Professor Thorpe
added that, if their children are crying, parents should follow their instincts to pick them
up.
'Babies in the first 12 weeks of their life need highly responsive parents. They
want and need a parent that is responsive to their cries.'
More information
on crying
For more information see these items on the ECA website:
Supporting Best Practice links on crying and settling
ECA News item: April 2003 Controlled Crying AAIMHI Position Paper
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Last Updated ( Friday, 01 December 2006 )
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