View report page

55
In some cases the staff at the clinics find medical defects in the child, of which the mother
was unaware, and they arrange for treatment to be carried out. Far more often, however, they find
themselves reassuring mothers that certain suspected defects in the baby are within normal limits
and that there is no need for them to seek treatment. This happens in cases of alleged tongue-tie,
mild forms of umbilical hernia, certain types of naevi (birth marks) and mild forms of flat feet; all
of which can occur for a short time in healthy children. Another trend towards a reversal in recent
practice is seen in the advice given on certain behaviour disorders. The staff in recent years has
worked hard to persuade mothers to take a more understanding and lenient attitude towards, for
example, sleep problems, food refusal, and toilet training. Some mothers have conscientiously
taken this a little too far and seem afraid to make even the mildest regulations for their babies,
letting them do exactly as they please at all times. So now the clinic staff have to urge the
introduction of some order and discipline in an increasing number of cases.
All babies attending the clinics continue to have urine tests for phenylketonuria (a sign
which shows that the child has an inborn error of metabolism which can lead to mental disorder)
but in spite of the large number tested no case has, as yet, been confirmed.

Toddlers Clinics
The clinics are held mainly by appointment. Cards are sent to the mothers at about the time
of the child's birthday and at six-monthly intervals inviting them to bring their children between the