Information and comment about Bringing Up Baby and Claire Verity

Such has been our depth of concern over Channel 4's appalling series, Bringing up Baby, that we dedicated this entire section of our website to explaining why this and similar programmes need regulating. Now it has finished, this section will focus on the wider campaign to protect babies not appearing as actors on reality TV shows.

BBC Three is currently airing it's second series of Baby Borrowers, a programme in which parents hand over their babies to teenagers so they can experience what it is like to be a parent. Despite concerns BBC see no problem in what they are doing, claiming to ensure the babies are not harmed. This is of course, nonsense for a sensitive baby who is reliant upon the emotional support of a familiar adult to reduce the levels of stress they will be experiencing.

Petition news
We had 3,770 signatures on our petition. A powerful result, and a huge thank you to all those who signed. Want to see who signed? Click here

If you are worried you can complain to Ofcom Click here

Ofcom have strange rules relating to complaints, so you may find this information helpful
How to complain to Ofcom

Ofcom have found Bringing Up Baby not in breach of their code. There is a link to the report below (published 3rd Dec 2007). Their findings are not surprising, but serve to highlight how important it is that protection for infants not appearing as actors is effectively put in place. At present it is very difficult for Ofcom to come to any other decision as their code does not cover many of the concerns that have been raised.

The whole tragedy with this whole saga is the lack of knowledge being demonstrated by programme makers, broadcasters and Ofcom. To not know and not be prepared to listen is sufficient, and in this case, widely acceptable.

Damaging the emotional wellbeing of infants by preventing strong bonds and the formation of secure attachments can never be condoned.

What needs to be considered...

Claire Verity is completely discredited
Gun, Gangs, Bringing up Baby and Claire Verity

Notes on Bringing Up Baby, week 2
Notes on Bringing Up Baby, week 3
Notes on Bringing Up Baby, week 4

Statements

Ofcom response to Bringing Up Baby3rd Dec 2007
Letter to the Children's Commissioner from us 26 Oct 2007
Letter from Parenting UK to Channel 4 25 Oct 2007
Statement from Unite/CPHVA on Controversial Baby TV 'Reality Shows 18 Oct 2007
Letter from the Association for Infant Mental Health to the Children's Commissioner Al Aynsley Green 16 Oct 2007
Statement from La Leche League 13 Oct 2007
Media statement from NSPCC 12 Oct 2007
Statement from NSPCC 12 Oct 2007 in response to my email
Statement from Talk To Your Baby, The National Literacy Trust 10 Oct 2007
Gina Ford quote on Bringing Up Baby 10 Oct 2007, and her complaint to NSPCC.
Open letter from the Family and Parenting Institute (FPI) and other signatories 9 Oct 2007
Statement from The Children's Project about 'Bringing Up Baby' Channel 4. 5 Oct 2007
Statement from the Association for Infant Mental Health (AIMH) re: 'Bringing Up Baby' Channel 4. 2 Oct 2007
Statement from Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in response to Channel 4's 'Bringing Up Baby' Programme. 4 Oct 2007
Statement from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) response to Channel 4 series, Bringing up Baby. 3 Oct 2007 Link to their website
Statement from the Federation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID). Oct 2007 From their website
Statement from Huggies In response to my insistence they respond to my concerns about their sponsorship of the show.