The Continuum Concept by Channel 4's Claire Scott
Last night saw the first broadcast of Bringing Up Baby, a new Channel 4 series exploring three very different parenting techniques.The programme follows six different families, raising their children according to systems devised by childcare experts. In each case, two families follow the advice of a well-known parenting guru. Two families follow Dr Truby King’s methods, two adopt Dr Spock parenting techniques and two pursue The Continuum Concept of Jean Liedloff .
One of these techniques, the Continuum Concept method of parenting, is explored in the series by mother of 2, Claire Scott. The Baby Website caught up with Claire before the launch of Bringing Up Baby to give us a sneak preview as to what to expect.
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“It was an amazing experience really, explained Claire, “I never set myself up as a baby mentor, in fact all I claim to be is a mum who felt torn between the need to do adult things and looking after my babies. After lots of research I found the Continuum Concept which allowed me to balance all our needs and to enjoy life together.
“As support for the mother is probably the key to Continuum Parenting and I had moved from where I grew up, I had to work hard at creating my own support community. However by reaching out I quickly discovered a host of other mums equally desperate for more support. In line with Jean’s philosophy we did much of our day to day activities together. Cooking, cleaning, going swimming – you name it we did it as a group. It made life more productive, enjoyable and out babies thrived.
“All of us shared the desire to carry out babies for as much of their early part of live as possible. It sounds strange to some, but this method of parenting is based on how children are brought up in developing countries when they spend their first year strapped to their mother accompanying her as she works in the fields and in the home. I have just spent four months with my children traveling around Russia and China on the train. We spent a month in Vietnam, a month in Cambodia, three weeks in Laos and two in Thailand. What struck me was how common this style of parenting is in the developing world and how incredibly happy the children are. It made me more determined than ever to spread the word.
“In the UK babies spend on average two-thirds of their time alone, distanced in car seats, bouncy chairs, prams, cots or swings; compared to many cultures where babies are carried in slings, without being put down, for the first 6 months of their life. This is incredibly sad and has huge negative impact on the baby.
“Once you make up your mind to carry your baby it is an incredibly liberating experience. Practically you have two hands free to fulfil other tasks. Emotionally too you bond quickly with your baby and become so in tune with each other. Getting your partner involved also helps bonding and the baby is much more settled as he gets such comfort from being snuggled up close to your heartbeat – just like in the womb. Finding a sling that is comfortable to wear for extended periods that also provide the best possible support for your baby’s back, neck and head is a challenge but I would recommend Close Baby Carrier.”
“On an emotional level, I found Baby Carrying totally relieved the stress associated with early parenting. Babies love to be held. They thrive on the closeness of being near another adult. They are comforted by the heartbeat and naturally rocked by the motion of the body. By having your baby close, you tune into her needs and can respond instinctively, resulting in a baby that is happy and content. This greatly reduced significant the bouts of crying which I found so stressful with my first baby. Also because they are near, parents give their babies more touch and intimacy by kissing and stroking them at regular intervals. This happens instinctively and parents often don’t realise they are doing it, but the benefits to baby are huge.
“Many parents I work with are amazed at how quickly they bond with their baby by following the Baby Carrying principals. Dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles all enjoy wearing the baby and the baby feels more secure with other adults as the closeness, heartbeat and movement are constant.
“Babies who are carried also interact much more with the world. They are held up high, where they can see, hear and absorb activities and then simply doze off when sleepy. This has been proven to help them develop intellectually. It involves them in experiences and conversations that babies lying in a pram simply aren't exposed to.
“Baby Carrying is based on instinctual parenting. Having your baby close to you, or somebody you trust and by being so in tune to your baby that you respond to her needs with confidence, without the needs for guides, various pieces of equipment or indeed advise from others, will result in a happier baby and a more empowered and confident mum. Parents choosing to follow the baby-carrying concept can be reassured that they are parenting in a style that, according to extensive anthropological and psychological evidence, raises physically and emotionally healthy children.”
26th September 2007
If you'd like to Buy the Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff then CLICK HERE.
POSTSCRIPT
A lot of our members have been commenting in the forum about Bringing Up Baby. I think we can safely say that the Truby King method won't be adopted by anyone who's posted. Personally, I thought the advocator of that particular method seemed positively inhuman! (Editor)
Read Our Members' Comments HERE.
Let us know what you think of what Claire has to say. Are you a baby-carrier? If you haven’t had your baby yet, would you like to adopt The Continuum Concept? Post your opinions in our forum HERE!
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