Gina Ford
Encyclopedia
Gina Ford is a British
writer on parenting methods and a former maternity nurse, without formal qualifications, who claims to have cared for over 300 babies during her career. Ford's 1999
book The Contented Little Baby Book advocates a daily routine for both the baby and the parents, with the day divided up into very precise slots. Ford has written nine books on childcare.
Critics of her methods include Penelope Leach
, Miriam Stoppard
and Nick Clegg
. However, there are many proponents of Ford's methods, including Eammon Holmes and Michelle Gayle
.
In response to criticism levied against her, Ford suggests that the 25% market share of children's books that her publications enjoy is proof that her methods do not harm children.
commissioned a series from Outline Productions called Gina Ford's Baby School, using Big Brother
-style methods to oversee the progress of newborn babies. In January 2005, Ford had a meeting with BBC and Outline Productions, and refused to agree to certain reality-style aspects of the format. With only a few weeks before filming, Ford pulled out and was replaced by Dr Tanya Byron
.
Five Life
commissioned a programme called Gina Ford: Who Are You To Tell Us?, which aired on 4 March 2007.
, claiming that users have made "defamatory" comments about her, and has demanded that the whole site be taken down. In May 2007, this dispute was resolved with Mumsnet paying some of Ford's legal costs, but Mumsnet remaining open.
In 2007, she wrote to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and accused fellow child-care expert Claire Verity
of “child abuse” for methods used in a Channel 4 series called Bringing Up Baby.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
writer on parenting methods and a former maternity nurse, without formal qualifications, who claims to have cared for over 300 babies during her career. Ford's 1999
1999 in literature
The year 1999 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*June 19 - Stephen King is hit by a Dodge van while taking a walk. He spends the next three weeks hospitalized...
book The Contented Little Baby Book advocates a daily routine for both the baby and the parents, with the day divided up into very precise slots. Ford has written nine books on childcare.
Praise and criticism
Ford's approach has its detractors, and criticism has included that her methods are like "training animals". Some criticism centres around the fact that she herself has no children. This leads people to suggest that however much she learns about and cares for the children of others, having never experienced this as a parent means she lacks some fundamental first-hand experience.Critics of her methods include Penelope Leach
Penelope Leach
Dr. Penelope J. Leach is a British psychologist who writes extensively on parenting issues from a child development perspective....
, Miriam Stoppard
Miriam Stoppard
Miriam Stoppard OBE , is a British doctor, author, television presenter and agony aunt.- Early life and medical career :...
and Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister...
. However, there are many proponents of Ford's methods, including Eammon Holmes and Michelle Gayle
Michelle Gayle
Michelle Patricia Gayle is a British recording artist, actress and author. Gayle had success as a Soul and R&B singer in the 1990s. She achieved seven Top 40 singles in the UK Singles Chart, her two biggest hits to date being "Sweetness" and "Do You Know"...
.
In response to criticism levied against her, Ford suggests that the 25% market share of children's books that her publications enjoy is proof that her methods do not harm children.
Projects
In 2004, the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
commissioned a series from Outline Productions called Gina Ford's Baby School, using Big Brother
Big Brother (TV series)
Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...
-style methods to oversee the progress of newborn babies. In January 2005, Ford had a meeting with BBC and Outline Productions, and refused to agree to certain reality-style aspects of the format. With only a few weeks before filming, Ford pulled out and was replaced by Dr Tanya Byron
Tanya Byron
Tanya Byron is a British psychologist, writer and media personality, best known for her work as a child therapist on television shows Little Angels and The House of Tiny Tearaways...
.
Five Life
Five Life
5* is a television channel in the United Kingdom owned by Northern & Shell. The channel was launched as "Five Life" on 15 October 2006, and was rebranded as "Fiver" on 28 April 2008, and "5*" on 7 March 2011. The channel is available on digital television via Freeview, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin...
commissioned a programme called Gina Ford: Who Are You To Tell Us?, which aired on 4 March 2007.
Mumsnet libel
Ford has threatened legal action against online child and parenting forum mumsnet.comMumsnet
- Content and traffic :Mumsnet is Britain's busiest website for parents, hosting discussion forums where parents give and receive peer-to-peer parenting support, as well as discussing a wide range of other topics...
, claiming that users have made "defamatory" comments about her, and has demanded that the whole site be taken down. In May 2007, this dispute was resolved with Mumsnet paying some of Ford's legal costs, but Mumsnet remaining open.
In 2007, she wrote to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and accused fellow child-care expert Claire Verity
Claire Verity
Claire Verity is a British baby care professional who specialises in the Truby King method. Her clients have included Jerry Hall and Sting. She featured as a mentor in the 2007 Channel 4 documentary series, Bringing Up Baby .Her methods, such as advocating Truby King's tenets of...
of “child abuse” for methods used in a Channel 4 series called Bringing Up Baby.