Childcare Guru Gina Ford Breaks Silence on Controversial 'Cry It Out' Method | This Morning

In the ‘90s and ‘00s, childcare guru Gina Ford became a household name for her controversial parenting techniques which included rigid time schedules, and even advising parents to let their babies 'cry it out' rather than comfort them. Now, 25 years on from the release of 'The Contented Little Baby Book', Gina has broken her two-decade silence… criticising NHS ‘vague’ parenting advice, and clarifying that she only advised parents to let babies cry it out as a last resort. But does the controlled crying method work? We’re joined today by single mum Annette Kellow, who says her son became a more well-rounded child after being left to cry it out and counsellor Lucy Cavendish who calls the parenting method “barbaric”.

Broadcast on 24/04/2024

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[rebekahbeaven]

I followed this book with my first baby because I was young and didn’t have good advisors. I’ve since trained as a psychotherapist and feel deeply remorseful for having followed its advice. A child’s experience of attachment in the early years lays down the blueprint for forming relationships for the rest of there lives!!. Just because something work’s doesn’t mean it’s right or good. Raising emotionally healthy children is an accomplishment and anything worth accomplishing is hard, including comforting a distressed baby when we ourselves are tired.

[linaj]

Nah, listen to your instincts, trust them more than anything. Your baby needs you.

[Blichens]

It's child abuse not parenting tips

[Themis]

"I neglected my child, so he was conditioned, and within two weeks of neglecting him, (he learnt to shut up because he knew I wasn't coming to comfort him) and I had my life back, yay for me. now my son will grow up with an insecure attachment and have difficulties in relationships with others, but who cares because I got my life back and all that matters is me, not my son."

[dnjames]

I think the point about comforting others when they’re upset is really important- if an adult is upset and needs comfort/support you wouldn’t walk away from them and come back when it suits you, so how could this possibly be okay for a baby who is so much more vulnerable and in need of love? They see you as their whole world- if you don’t come when they call you, they think their world is ending. Then they gradually learn that they can’t rely on you and must rely on themselves for comfort. Thea are not emotions or sentiments that we should encourage, how can a child learn empathy this way?? Or trust, when the person who is their whole world, who they cannot survive without, does not come for them in their time of need. All babies need is love. If you have a baby, you make the decision to be their everything and sacrifice your own needs for theirs. If you are not ready to make the commitment, to be there whenever they need you, don’t have a baby!

[just_ro]

I wouldn't even treat a dog like this, let alone another human

[CatsandJP]

This is a very cruel practice….medical evidence has shown that letting babies “cry it out”….has resulted in some babies and toddlers having developed..”hernias” from excessive crying…and have to undergo operations….which is even more pain for the child to suffer…it is basically…child abuse….a child needs to be comforted, to feel secure and most importantly…..loved….these women who practiced this….are just selfish and only thinking of themselves….besides the writer of the book has made money off creating misery for some children and parents.

[rosyapplekitchen]

I remember with my first daughter I would always run to her quickly and guess what she would let out a massive burp! She was so relieved after. I imagined all those neglected babies at that time. They don’t cry for fun especially not in the early stages. They cry because they need you!

[leilaevans]

I think letting your baby cry it out goes against every maternal instinct. I did the complete opposite. My Babies were in bed with me from two days old on and off until they were about two. It wasn't intentional but just what felt completely natural to me. We're the only mammals on the planet that give birth then put the baby in another room.

[waji]

My prejudice made me think the older lady in the suit wud be the "cry it out" mum ... Madness that its the younger lady with a new generation of kids under her care

[Littlebluebirdie]

I tried to implement Gina Ford’s techniques with my 1st and it was disastrous! He was always overtired, hungry and grizzly. I gave up after a few weeks because as I was breastfeeding her feeding schedule tanked my supply. My baby needed more frequent feeds. Baby led was the way to go. He wasn’t a good sleeper then but he is brilliant now. I was responding to his needs and I have done exactly the same for the last 6 months on my 2nd. I follow her lead, her hunger cues and wake windows and she’s a much more content baby. Maybe for some the very strict schedule works but it was miserable for us.

[jmacjewels]

I really appreciate them both having different views but staying calm and letting one another speak.

[Sarah-ldvw]

‘A little bit of crying doesn’t hurt’. I doubt the baby agreed when he was crying out for his Mother for comfort.

This is only done in the west. It’s for the parents, certainly not for the babies.

[sallyroddy]

a child''s only way of communicating it is in distress and needs comforting is in crying. Who knows what lessons it has absorbed if it just is ignored. Read some child psychology books instead, i''d say. love and light to all who are parenting

[Bibibaonojoba]

I don’t use the cry it out method but now that I have a two year old and a newborn there are inevitably times when i cannot answer both of their cries at the same time.

[mpoxdmi]

why do we shame women through parenting we do not do this to men!! - having a baby is the most life changing experience

[jackiepurchese]

The woman in the blue shouldn't bother having a baby . Shes too selfish. You cant be selfish when you decide to become a mother .

[jamieleigh]

Biggest regret following this I wish I hadn’t however my son is truly amazing but I do think it affects the bond. I followed a book rather than my baby. No baby should ever have to fit into a strict routine it’s unrealistic.

[thamimakhan]

If you wanted your OLD LIFE- I’d say don’t make a new life! Coz no such thing as OLD LIFE when you become a mother and chose to stay as a mother…

[Mayaxxxxxx]

This is an awful, awful practice.
Research shows that adults that were subject to this have problems with future partners all around trust issues.