- Gina Ford
Gina Ford (born "ca" 1960) is a British writer on parenting methods and a former maternity nurse, and has helped to care 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.
Praise and criticism
Ford's approach has its detractors, and criticism has included that her methods are like "training animals" [ [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2026185,00.html] "
The Guardian "4 March 2007 ] . However, there are many proponents of Ford's methods, includingEammon Holmes andMichelle Gayle . [ [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2026185,00.html] , "The Guardian ",4 March 2007 ]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. [ [http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2021458,00.html Queen of Routine lashes out at her liberal childcare critics] , "
The Guardian ",February 26 2007 ] .Projects
In 2004, the
BBC 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 [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_200502/ai_n9532804 BBC's "Big Brother" show for babies ends in tears] , "Independent on Sunday ",February 13 2005 ] .Five Life commissioned a programme called "Gina Ford: Who Are You To Tell Us?", which aired on4 March 2007 [ [http://www.easier.com/view/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Staying_In/article-98926.htm Five Life Commissions Gina Ford Documentary] "Easier.com"] .Mumsnet libel
Ford has threatened legal action against online child and parenting forum mumsnet.com, claiming that users have made "defamatory" comments about her, and has demanded that the whole site be taken down [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/09/gina_ford/ Babycare guru demands closure of 'defamatory' site] , "
The Register ",9 August 2006 ] [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=399529&in_page_id=1770 The baby guru who threw her bottle out of the pram] , "Daily Mail ",8 August 2006 ] . In May 2007, this dispute was resolved with Mumsnet paying some of Ford's legal costs, but Mumsnet remaining open. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/11/ford_mumsnet Mumsnet settles with Gina Ford over defamation claims] ]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".
References
External links
* [http://www.contentedbaby.com/index.htm Gina Ford's website]
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