The 50ies method is not only cruel but can have severe longterm implications for the child that shape his/her whole life.
What the child could learn through only being attended to in four hour intervals and left to cry until it has learned to wait is that

a) putting effort into getting what I need is useless
b) putting effort into anything will end up in tears
c) if I wait long enough I will probably get what I need, if I don't get it I will forget what I need and go to sleep.
d) whether I cry or am in pain is of no interest to anyone, it shouldn't be of interest to me either, I will no longer be aware of what I feel.

At worst this child will have a life in which it does just about what is necessary to survive, in which it expects that someone else should/will give them what they want, with no ambition, no joy of rewards, with no awareness of her/his own needs and feelings - a life devoid of vitality and meaning.

The 50ies method can be life destroying.

Can I add to that, it also teaches the human a simple formula : my needs are bad. It is wrong to need. My needs cannot be met so I may as well not try. I am bad for needing. There is no way I can calm myself on the inside or make myself feel better.

Anyone ever suffered depression? Anyone ever been with someone who is suffering in this way? Sound familiar? So much for 'experiments' that are 'successful' because the parents are happy to 'contiune with their chosen methods'. The point it, you wont see the impact of C4 great experiment for a while to come. I wonder how those poor babies will feel towards themselves and their parents when they, as adults, watch these distressing episodes of Bringing Up Baby?

I admit that I have not read all the 15 thousand postings but I have read a lot of them. I am so very happy to see that there are lots of us around that worry and feel devastated for those babies. I agree with Curlyhead. I hope that a lot of people read the book Why love matters by Sue Gerhardt. It will answer all the reasons why not to do the 50's style. There are physical parts of the brain that will not develop if a baby is brought up in such horrid manners. I have cried and had nightmares and i have been so angry i could burst so thank you all good english people who are writing for me as well. I find it hard to explain myself so I am ever so grateful. I am only wondering why so many of us seem to want to "forgive" the poor parents? If they wanted to stop it, I am sure nobody would have put a gun to their heads. There seemed to be a lot of talk about the free time and the bloody sleeping. For goodness sake, its a child! A human! A human that should be welcomed into the family not stuffed away in a pram in the garden or starved so he feeds more before bed just so you can sleep. Why on earth is it so hard to emphasize with the child?! Why are they still coming first?! Why are they not capable of changing their sad lives for their newborn child?! What is wrong with these people?! IMagine you being treated like that!? I have no sentiment for the "parents" of the 50's version and I sincerely believe that they wouldn't be capable of looking after a hamster. A bunch of complete idiots. I hope those babies give them hell when they find out, at an older age, what they did to them when they were born. The ones supposed to protect them and love them the most turned out to be the enemy.

I agree with most people... i seriously can't understand how can a couple decide to have a baby and want it to be in the garden alone for most of the time...

Claire's views on public breastfeeding are just as absurd.

aahh right, i knew there was a reason we were being a continuum family, having our baby in the bed with us and carrying her in the sling and incorporating her into our lives where she belongs........so she can use a knife and not fall over a brick.

Claire is taking advantage of women in a very vulnerable state. When you have just had a child your instincts are screaming at you to do what nature intended and love and cuddle, and bond with your baby. In the 1950's way both mother and baby miss out on those precious few months.

Out of sight out of mind, get back to normal mentality is wrong. If you want to keep your life how it is pre-children don't have them. They change your life and nothing is ever the same and it should not be.

1970's tribe/ village approach is great because children need love and parents need support and a break. Go native! I would. I love my children and my sleep and with my son would not have got much if I had not of slept with him as he was ill.

If I had another child I would use the continum concept much healther for all.

ASBO for the witch - do not let her near babies or their families.