Texas: Too Much of a Good Thing?...

Psychologists speak of "object salience" in considering how much things stand out against the background or context...

Legislation has been introduced in Texas (HB 1240) to add new information to the resource pamphlet distributed to new parents in the hospital.   It's all good stuff: reading to children, the importance of a medical home, the importance of dental care.

But I wonder if it may unintentionally reduce the salience of Shaken Baby Syndrome awareness materials now being distributed.  

Link to article about the bill sponsor, Rep. Mike Virreal.

Most folks are already disposed to shy away from anything related to "child abuse."  

Add in more of the things that new parents expect they will to have to do and it's bound to be tempting to skip over the stuff about shaking babies....

Sec. 161.501. RESOURCE PAMPHLET [A> AND RESOURCE GUIDE PROVIDED TO PARENTS OF NEWBORN CHILDREN

(1) provide the woman and the father of the infant, if possible, or another adult caregiver for the infant, with a resource pamphlet that includes:

(A) a list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of professional organizations that provide postpartum counseling and assistance to parents relating to postpartum depression and other emotional trauma associated with pregnancy and parenting;

(B) information regarding the prevention of shaken baby syndrome including:

(i) techniques for coping with anger caused by a crying baby;

(ii) different methods for preventing a person from shaking a newborn, infant, or other young child;

(iii) the dangerous effects of shaking a newborn, infant, or other young child; and

(iv) the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and who to contact, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, if a parent suspects or knows that a baby has been shaken in order to receive prompt medical treatment;

(C) a list of diseases for which a child is required by state law to be immunized and the appropriate schedule for the administration of those immunizations; and

(D) the appropriate schedule for follow-up procedures for newborn screening;

(2) [A> PROVIDE THE WOMAN AND THE FATHER OF THE INFANT, IF POSSIBLE, OR ANOTHER ADULT CAREGIVER WITH A RESOURCE GUIDE THAT INCLUDES INFORMATION IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY OF A CHILD FROM BIRTH UNTIL AGE FIVE, INCLUDING INFORMATION RELATING TO:

[A> (A) SELECTING AND INTERACTING WITH A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER AND ESTABLISHING A "MEDICAL HOME" FOR THE CHILD;

[A> (B) DENTAL CARE;

[A> (C) EFFECTIVE PARENTING;

[A> (D) CHILD SAFETY;

[A> (E) THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO A CHILD;

[A> (F) EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES;

[A> (G) HEALTH CARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE STATE;

[A> (H) SELECTING APPROPRIATE CHILD CARE; AND

[A> (I) OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE STATE;

[A> (3) SUBDIVISIONS Subdivision AND (2)

[A> (4) (3)

(b) A hospital, birthing center, physician, nurse midwife, or midwife [A> :

[A> (1) SUBSECTION (A)(1); AND

[A> (2) MAY USE THE RESOURCE GUIDE PROVIDED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE OR AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE THAT PROVIDES THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (A)(2) this section

[A> (C) THE DEPARTMENT MAY MAKE AVAILABLE ONLINE AND DISTRIBUTE AN EXISTING PUBLICATION CREATED BY ANOTHER HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY AS THE RESOURCE GUIDE REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (A)(2).

2009 Bill Text TX H.B. 1240