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Discussion - Alison Scott-Wright, Baby Show Advice

Whilst watching the Baby Calm slide show of comments from The Babyshow, I think the ones that stood out the most at first glance were those from Alison Scott-Wright.

I didn't know much about Alison, but her website says she's the "Magic Sleep Fairy as seen on Channel 4."  Qualifications listed appear to be Maternity Nurse Practitioner and experience.

The site also says her book
"Gives in-depth advice on the management of the common, but distressing, condition Infant Reflux and dietary related intolerances."
The Baby Show describe her as:
"A leading specialist in managing reflux and will be offering advice on recognizing, dealing with and managing reflux."
Yet on stage Alison allegedly made some very brave comments.

First up, diagnosing reflux:
"I helped some parents whose baby was admitted for breath holding at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital and discharged a week later with no diagnosis from the doctors. When I saw them it was obvious and I diagnosed reflux."
 Next was the one that caused rather a sharp intake of breath:
"I'm not licensed to talk about medication - but I always do anyway!".
Wowzers right, cross fingers and hope Alison's insurers weren't attending!

And just when you think Alison may realise and scramble for a recovery, out popped:
"I know the directions on the medication tell you to use it in a certain way, but it doesn't work when you do that, so I advise parents to do it like this instead."
I'm cringing and I wasn't even there.

Alison also ruffled the feathers of fellow "expert" Jo Tantum:
"In responding to critiques of her advice, Jo Tantum, having completed three years of training with the Nursery Nursing Education Board , alleged that fellow Baby Show speaker Alison Scott-Wright's discussion on reflux was unacceptable to the point of danger. Tantum's post on the BabyCalm website called to question Scott-Wright's credentials and opinions stating that she "has no right to be called an expert, especially in reflux, she has no qualifications medically and non medically. She stood on stage and told a lady to stop the medication she was giving her daughter. No-one should be telling the mother that except her GP/paediatrician."  Huffington Post 
#awkward


To make matters worse, it seems the Royal College of Midwives weren't impressed either:
"The RCM also suggests The Baby Show changes its outlook and approach as "these shows have an ethical responsibility to ensure they seek experts who give advice based on proper evidence, knowledge, experience and understanding. A lot of people believe they can give advice but it isn't regulated and unscrupulous people have the audacity to play on women's vulnerability at this time. This is a best thoughtless and at worst dangerous to mother and child." Huffington Post
Thoughts?


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6 comments:

  1. I'm gonna start as a AP expert, well they seem to make money from it...............

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  2. I think language is very important when anyone is telling other people what they think. If some gives advice they are assuming responsibilty for any consequences. But then again, I couldn't stand talking on stage infront of goodness knows how many people! x

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  3. 'Maternity Nurse Practitioner' means 'no training in anything', doesn't it?

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  4. I got a free section of Alison Scott-Wright's book with a magazine. There's a good reason she's giving it away free, it ended up in the bin. She equates meeting the needs of a baby with giving in to every demand a toddler makes- I'm surprised anyone thick enough not to have worked out the two are completely different things can manage to hold a pen, let alone write a book.

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