Doc’s ‘Baby Sling’ Soother

By SUE SCOTT

EXHAUSTED parents and their infants could have a Stockton university lecturer to thank for a peaceful night’s sleep.

New Zealander Dr Vincent Reid, a specialist in babies’ brain development, has set up Developmental Solutions Ltd on the town’s Durham University campus to test a prototype sling to sooth colic.

Based on bitter personal experience of broken nights with three of his four children, and informed by observation of mothers who have visited his research labs, Dr Reid’s sling is designed to alleviate cramps and calm crying by helping the baby focus on the parent’s face.

Around 90 infants are being recruited for a randomised controlled study, starting next month before the sling goes into production.

Later designs may also feature tiny speakers relaying soothing sounds of the mother’s heartbeat.

As many as a quarter of babies are affected by extreme colic between six and 18 weeks of age and on average they cry for around three hours a night.

“Colic is not taken seriously (by the medical profession) because it is a transient issue – by nine months it’s ancient history,” said Dr Reid.

But the impact on families, and particularly mothers, can be devastating, he said. Many who have experienced severe colic with their first child limit their family because they cannot bear the thought of any more lost nights, while there was a strong association between colic and maternal depression, he said.

“Most parents feel a failure. They need to feel they are doing something,” said Dr Reid.

“It’s a travesty that colic is not taken more seriously.”

(c) 2008 Evening Gazette – Middlesbrough. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.