Posted on 11. Oct, 2005 by Brian Reid in General
Dads: the parents of least responsibility. Elizabeth beat me to this one, but I wanted to quickly highlight the Washington Post’s take on the new SIDS guidelines.
The Post article takes the American Academy of Pediatrics as pretty much blaming working moms for SIDS, saying that affection-starved women are taking the kids to bed with them and leaving them with uneducated caregivers. Money passage:
The recommendations come as more and more American women are juggling the competing demands of work and motherhood. That has led to increasing numbers of new mothers to sleep with their babies in what some advocates call the family bed, as mothers search for any additional time to bond with newborns.
Here’s the problem: the the AAP statement (pdf) make no reference to “American women … juggling.” It makes no real mention of mothers at all. Instead, the AAP talks a lot about “parental” care, which makes me very happy. Dads are involved in care. They’re involved in SIDS prevention. This isn’t a mothers-only issue, nor should it be. I expected better from the Post.
RebelMom
11. Oct, 2005
Shame on the Post. The story is horrid and wrong. If the AAP release had nothing on moms specifically, where did all that garbage in the Post come from? No attribution, so it must have just come for the reporter (who, in my opinion, is typically very good).
If they want a *real* story on work-family balance they should take on issues such as paid family leave, affordable child care and flex time for all parents.
We should write a letter to the editor or the ombudsman.
Jay
20. Oct, 2005
I’ve never heard of SIDS until the past few years. I really think that the loss of a child for any reason is tragic, but I guess the unexplainable loss of a baby is even more painful.
I guess this is why doctors are trying to provide as much warning to parents as possible. That seems to be the “message of the month”. There are some tools that can help keep a closer eye on your little ones. http://www.firstalittletlc.com specilaizes in baby safety solutions…INCLUDING SIDS movement sensors and video monitors. Great gifts and discounts when you join the Member’s Forum.
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