This important article by Cathy Daub about the work of Dr Nils Bergman demonstrates the importance of the mother/child bond and the trauma caused to children, especially babies, when they are separated from their mothers. It also confirms how new mothers especially need support and should not be on their own. These issues are at the heart of all our campaigning, and we speak about them constantly including on our pickets outside family court, in speeches and in consultations. It is outrageous that the mother/child bond is not respected or even acknowledged by social workers, CAFCASS, other professionals and judges in family court who recommend children being taken from loving mums and families.

Separation at birth is particularly barbaric yet research by the Nuffield Foundation shows that it is on the increase across the UK. Babies removed at birth are usually taken on the basis of “possible future emotional harm” even when no harm has actually been caused. Mothers who are care leavers, have a disability, are young, and/or have had previous children removed, are most at risk of their newborn being taken and their babies are most likely to be adopted without parental consent (ie forced), with no consideration for their long-term well-being.

See below for the full article about the work of Nils Bergman, M.D., who is a Public Health Physician, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and a research affiliate of the South African Medical Research Council. Dr. Bergman was born in Sweden and raised in Zimbabwe, where he later worked as a mission doctor. He received his medical degree from the University of Cape Town, and a Masters in Public Health from the University of the Western Cape. His work confirms the life long trauma that is caused to both mother and child by being separated, even for short periods, at birth.

Babies and Mothers Should NOT Be Separated After Birth, Here’s Why