SIDS, bed sharing and an anthropological look at motherhood and infancy - An interview with Prof Helen Ball

In this episode we talk to Prof Helen Ball. Helen is Professor of
Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep
Centre. Helen studies infant sleep and the parent-infant sleep
relationship from a biosocial perspective. Broadly defined, her
research examines sleep ecology, of infants, young children and
their parents. This encompasses attitudes and practices regarding
infant sleep, behavioural and physiological monitoring of infants
and their parents during sleep, infant sleep development, and the
discordance between cultural sleep preferences and biological
sleep needs.


She pioneers the translation of academic research on infant sleep
into evidence for use by parents and healthcare staff via Basis--
the Baby Sleep Information Source website. She serves as
Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health, and is on the
Ediotial Board of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is Chair of
the Lullaby Trust Scientific Committe, and an elected Board
Member of the International Society for the Study and Prevention
of Infant Deaths (ISPID).


In this episode we discuss:


·       Where on earth did the myths come
from which tell us we will do harm to our baby if we pick them up
too much - Rachel tells what horrendous thing she was told with
her first baby


·       Helen takes us on an anthropological
look at motherhood and infancy 


·       We discuss the old, current and quite
frankly shocking SIDS safety messaging around the globe – Using a
meat cleaver in bed with a baby to shock you out of bed
sharing! 


·       And find out how Helen played an
incredibly crucial role ensuring that the UK actually discuss
safe bed sharing with parents.



LINKS:


Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source 
www.basisonline.org.uk


Infancy & Sleep Centre: www.dur.ac.uk/disc


Prof Helen Ball 
https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/h-l-ball/ 


Research Gate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Helen-Ball 


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Music by Joseph McDade


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The information shared in this podcast is for general educational
purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice.
Always consult with a qualified professional regarding individual
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