Not many programmes leave my jaw on the floor, but this was one of them. (As of today, Ofcom has received 580 complaints about the programme.) For those that haven’t seen it, six sets of parents with newborn babies have each been asked to strictly follow the guidance of three very different parenting gurus for the first six months of their babies’ lives. (Yes, reality television has now reached the point where parents willingly serve up their own babies for sacrifice at its high altar.) …

On paper, you can imagine it sounding like a winning formula for a programme - and it is indeed gripping, if uncomfortable, viewing for any parent. But there are moments in the programme when the advice appears so austere and lacking in empathy that, for me at least, it felt that it verged on being almost abusive of the babies’ emotional and physical needs. I was left wondering just how damaging this kind of advice might be when viewed and absorbed by millions of parents. I am referring, of course, to the teachings of Dr Truby King, who is represented in the programme by “celebrity baby guru” Claire Verity, who seems to relish playing up to her casting as the programme’s wicked witch. For Verity, establishing a strict routine and “showing the baby who’s boss” must be achieved at all costs. And what costs.

Here’s a little taster of this deeply unpleasant technique: only feeding every four hours; night feeds get dropped as soon as possible to minimise length of time parents’ sleep is disrupted; limiting the amount of contact between baby and parent/carer - 10 minutes of cuddling per day; baby sleeps in his/her own room from day one; baby spends four hours in the garden every day; no eye-contact is allowed with baby during feeding…

If people are so keen to use such techniques to “detach” themselves from their newborn babies so quickly it begs the question why they chose to have children in the first place. It’s little wonder that it is often noted nowadays than some babies are obviously seen as little more than accessories by their parents. Emotionally rich, tender parenting, it would seem, just doesn’t seem to be compatible with our oh-so-busy lives…

Source: Guardian Unlimited, UK
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