Dr. T. Berry Brazelton was a pioneer of child-centered parenting
Publish date: March 27, 2018
Dr. William G. Wilkoff
He has been quoted as saying, “I would like to look at what can be done to get parents to relax and not to take [parenthood] too seriously.” (“T. Berry Brazelton, doctor who challenged parents to read babies’ cues, dies,” Washington Post, March 14, 2018). And for the most part with his calm and gentle demeanor, he achieved his goal. Unfortunately, not every parent who tried to follow Dr. Brazelton’s advice about reading their baby’s cues was successful. With his passing, it is up to us as pediatricians to continue comforting those parents who are struggling and echo his reassuring message.
Dr. Wilkoff practiced primary care pediatrics in Brunswick, Maine for nearly 40 years. He has authored several books on behavioral pediatrics, including “How to Say No to Your Toddler.” Email him at pdnews@frontlinemedcom.com.
