There has been an outcry over the Channel 4 series 'Bringing Up Baby', which shows parents of newborn babies adopting theories from the 1950s, 60s and 70s (see Analysis, pages 10-11). This deserves to attract the harshest criticism, and its only saving grace will be if it prevents further such programmes going ahead.
Not only has this series confused parents and angered health professionals by featuring outdated and possibly dangerous methods of childcare, it is also using young babies and distorting their earliest experiences in the name of entertainment.
The babies involved have had no say in their role in 'Bringing Up Baby'. They didn't ask to be the subject of this bizarre experiment, nor to be, in certain cases, left crying, hungry or untouched. The parents cannot escape blame - the desire to be on TV should not override the needs of the family in the first crucial months.
Ultimately, though, broadcasters must re-examine what is happening with reality TV shows involving children. Even established hits such as 'Supernanny', where the children tend to be past babyhood, are exploiting families with problems. And again, while the parents may be willing participants, the children have not given informed consent to be paraded in the nation's living rooms.
The vital importance of attachment for young children's emotional well-being is demonstrated in our new series starting this week on pages 24-25.
