Research Journey

It all began in Bali in 2007. I noticed how mothers effortlessly managed the ablutions of their really young babies without using either disposable or cloth nappies. On a return visit to Bali in 2012, I was shocked by the alarming increase in disposable nappies being used, and polluting the rivers. I resolved to research this issue. In mid-2013 my husband Mark and I took leave of absence from our academic and psychotherapy private practice lives in Auckland, New Zealand.  We backpacked around South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent for seven months and seven days. During this time I filmed 73 interviews, speaking with many parents and grandparents, and carefully observed people interacting and relating with young babies, toddlers and children. Everybody I interviewed were working mothers or fathers, who took their baby to work, or they 'dove-tailed' shifts, or used help from grandparents or extended family members and friends who were completely supportive and familiar with this method.