Infant Observation - Can you help me?

[RosannaHeatherTherapy]

Good morning!

I am studying Psychotherapy at the Bowlby Centre in Highbury and as part of my attachment-based studies I am required to observe a mother and infant for 18 months.

I am looking for a mother who is due to have her baby between January and April; I will need to visit for an hour per week for the 18 months and observe mum and baby together. I have been provided with documents for you to read from the Bowlby Centre and the contact details of our Chair, and I will be DBS certified when our time together starts.

I know that this is a huge ask but I hope that somebody out there feels like this may be possible for them and even enjoyable. I live in Camden but am happy to travel, and have colleagues who are also searching so please don't hesitate to get in touch if this appeals to you.

My best,
Rosanna Heather

[Loveisthelaw]

Mine is due before then so that doesn't help you, but I wanted to say that I was an observed baby in a similar way for my first year, and it's great looking back at all the observations the student gave my parents. Very interesting.
Good luck!

[RosannaHeatherTherapy]

That's really kind of you to say as I haven't been sure how people would react to this sort of ask. Thank you, and so pleased that your family had a positive experience from it!
Do you mind if I ask when you are due? I'm not sure if there's any flexibility with the dates we've been given but I can check.

[Wigeon]

Just to say I did this 9 years ago with DD1 - it was fun and the student was lovely. I think he found me on Mumsnet too. He’s now working as a child psychologist. Good luck with your search!

[RosannaHeatherTherapy]

That's so encouraging, thank you! I'm really looking forward to meeting mum-to-be now and hope that she enjoys having me around too!

[catsanddogsfightless]

I work in a nursery (nowhere near your area sadly) and recommend you contact local nurseries and ask if you might display a notice on their noticeboard. Our nursery has many parents with 2nd or 3rd siblings about to be born and I would imagine that might be true for most nurseries.

All the best.

[vasilikip]

Any one who participated in an Infant Observation, either as a student or a parent/carer, interested in taking part in a research psychology project? I am looking into the experiences in Infant Observation for both observers and families. I am a postgraduate student studying for a MSc Psychology degree at the School of Psychology, University of East London. As part of my studies, I am conducting the research you are being invited to participate in. I am conducting research into what the experience was like for individuals who took part in an infant observation. The research has been approved by the School of Psychology Research Ethics Committee and follows the standard of research ethics set by the British Psychological Society.
You will be asked to take part in an interview with myself where you will be asked some questions around how you found the experience and you will have the opportunity to talk about your experience.
The interviews could take place at the University or at your home or at another appropriate and convenient location. The interview will be from 45 - 60 minutes and can be adapted to accommodate
your schedule. There is not any reimbursement for your time for the research project. But it would be valuable to understand from you perspective how you found the experience.
If you are interested you can reply directly here or email me on [email protected]
Kind regards,
Vasiliki Papoutsi

[ZachM]

Hello! My name is Zach and I'm also looking for a family who'd be interested in taking part, as part of my course at the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF). I am looking for a family expecting a baby between now and June who'd be willing to take part in a two year observation.

As you'll have seen from the messages above, parents who take part often find it incredibly enriching -- finding that the process gives them space to better reflect on their baby's changes, personality and emotional needs. You will also be supporting my training in psychotherapy!

I'd love to have a chat if this sounds interesting to you - please feel free to reply or send me an email at [email protected]!

Best wishes,
Zach