Nikki, as part of my other life as a journalist, I interviewed a 
specialist in early infant relationships, and she raised this issue 
spontaneously with me (my article was not really 'about' the aspect 
of what-gets-in-the-way so I couldn't report on it, but it is in my 
mind to do something).

She took it very seriously indeed. Her concern was not just the very 
early days but afterwards. She notes that parents are looking at 
phones all the time. ALL THE TIME.  The baby/toddler is in the room, 
or being pushed along in the pram/pushchair. It becomes more 
difficult for the parent to respond normally and naturally and to 
interact with the child, because their attention is just not  piqued.

It is very difficult to do anything about this, without sounding like 
Old Grandma Grumpy from Grumpyville who is critical of everything 
modern, and especially today's mothers.

There have been concerns expressed, and confirmed by research, 
related to excessive use of TV, and the effect on cognition and 
relationships - but handheld devices are *worse* because they are 
always there, in a pocket or a bag, or indeed in the hand.

I am not all that bothered by people taking snaps immediately after 
the birth - that's always happened. And even posting to Facebook 
takes only a few seconds.  But beyond that, it's just *too much*.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK


>Dear Lactnet Friends:
>
>I am hearing the same lament from many maternity staff people, including
>breastfeeding helpers, in the US.
>
>The lament is that mothers care more, and interact more, with their
>handheld devices than they do with their new babies. Women are posting
>Facebook photos from the delivery room table, instead of staring at their
>babies.
>
>What have others done to combat this technology's new threat to
>relationship?

-- 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome