TV show 'like child abuse'
More than 1,200 people have signed a petition on the 10 Downing Street website calling for a halt to television programmes that promote 'outdated or discredited' parenting theories.
Started by Clive Dorman of the Children's Project, the petition put up on Thursday was sparked by outrage at last week's Channel 4 programme 'Bringing Up Baby'.
Families taking part in the series follow different childcare methods with three mentors for their babies' first three months. The experts include maternity nurse Claire Verity, who advocates a 'strict' method she devised based on Dr Truby King's 1950s routine.
This technique recommends shutting a newborn baby in a room at 7pm and leaving them to cry.
Mr Dorman accused the programme makers of putting ratings ahead of children's welfare.
'This programme showed seriously distressed infants and sobbing parents being told to neglect their new baby as part of a routine. It felt close to viewing child abuse,' he said.
Cot death charity the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths also condemned Channel 4 for broadcasting advice which it said put babies lives at risk.
Both the FSID and the Department of Health recommend the safest place for a baby to sleep in the first six months is in a cot in a room with their parents and not their own room.
FSID said it was inundated with calls from health visitors. The Community Practitioner and Health Visitors Association also wrote to the programme's producers with their concerns.
Further information: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/parentingshows.
