By Narelle Key on Monday, July 3, 2006 - 06:40 pm:

I had my first mother's group today and the maternal and child health nurse was teaching us how to do baby massage. It was a fill in nurse as the other nurse was on holidays. I also saw this nurse last week when I went for my son's check up and found her to be quite critical of everything! Anyway, I was absolutely horrified at the way she did the massage. She chose to do it on one of the babies who was already crying and upset and not at all looking like he was in the mood for a massage. She told the mother to undress the baby totally including nappy (this was an 8 week old baby)and then proceeded to attempt a massage on him. The poor baby screamed the whole time and absolutely hated it yet she didn't stop...She obviously had no idea about the 'cues' the baby was giving her. I felt so sorry for the baby that I was almost in tears myself. I wish now that I had said something but I am not an up front person so let it slide...I am just so horrified that someone like this can be teaching baby massage - it goes against all that we have been taught in Pinky's class...

By pinky on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 10:24 pm:

Gee Narelle - how awful - poor baby and poor mother who owns the baby -aarrgghh!!! And how upsetting that everyone was subjected to this 'abuse' -as thats what it is when a baby isnt respected. I always suggest that when choosing to do things with babies we consider firstly - is it safe? Is it respectful? And, what messages do we want to give our baby?

Please dont beat up on yourself for not speaking up at the time - sometimes we are so in shock at what we see that we need support to question an authority figure. You could report this incident to the nurse coordinator at your council if you wish. Often a letter will have a good effect and help that person 'shape up' or 'ship out'.

Pinky

By Michelle on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 02:32 pm:

Geez, that sounds awful Narelle! It totally goes against what baby massage is supposed to acheive, thats just yucky.
Go the letter I say!