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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Live chat with Claire Scott, Thursday 4 October, 1pm

202 replies

OliviaMumsnet · 28/09/2007 10:53

We?re pleased to announce that Claire Scott will be here for an online chat with Mumsnetters next Thursday, 4 October.

Claire is an advocate of the Continuum Concept and has two children of her own. She is currently featuring in Channel 4?s Bringing Up Baby where she?s acting as mentor to families and promoting her beliefs on co-sleeping, breastfeeding and slings.

Claire will be joining us for an hour on Thursday at 1 o'clock, so have an early lunch, get your questions ready and join us then.

If for some strange reason, you can?t be here (and we hope you?ve got a very good excuse) please post advance questions here.

Thanks, MNHQ

OP posts:
VeronicaMars · 04/10/2007 13:49

Hi Claire
Any tips on involving daddy in the settling of dd (2) at night. She gets quite hysterical and only wants me. Thanks

HWW · 04/10/2007 13:49

for me perhaps the most fundimental difference, over and above the extreme differences in the three methods is that both Claire Scott and Dreena approach the babies as living breathing human beings whilst Clare Verity treats them purely as objects, she does not appear to interact with them at all other than in a purely practical sense, she clucked over a photo of a fox but remains utterly unmoved in any way by a baby. It breaks my heart to see it. If I could get Clare V to change one just one thing it would be that. Claire S - if you could get Clare V to chance her method in just one respect it would be a giant step forward, what would your priority be?

theUrbanDryad · 04/10/2007 13:50

Claire - I don't know if you can answer this, but were C4 as stringent as they claim with regards to the safety of the babies? They claim to have consulted paedatricians on every step, but I can't see any paed condong CV's methods....(although my hv has come out with some gems in her time!)

ClaireScott · 04/10/2007 13:51

ahundredtimes
I do think it has got totally out of hand and I have never professed to being a guru or expert myself ~ just a mum! But I believe that we have got to relying on experts so much because we have strayed so far from our 'continuum' that we are lost!
We don't see anyone parenting in an instintual way anymore and this leaves a lot of mums in a state of confusion and panic

madamenoir · 04/10/2007 13:52

Hello Claire

I had a section with my first son and couln't manage with the sling I bought. I am keen to try again when the second arrives...I would like to know about co-sleeping...I co-slept with my first and was freezing with no duvet or blanket to avoid overheating my son (in his own blanket). One night i must have brought the duvet up around myself and I found him the next morning down around my knees!!! It really scared me...how can I safely co-sleep and keep warm?

ClaireScott · 04/10/2007 13:53

Dontknowmyarsefrommyelbow,
I am delighted that you are getting on so well with the carrier. Thanks and great news!!

appletree3520 · 04/10/2007 13:53

I agree, Alex is brilliant, so cool and relaxed about it all so is a perfect example. I've carried my DS since birth, not 24hrs a day but a lot more than most, and with 2 older boys just don't know how anyone can get anything done without a sling... for me it's the only way to get through the day and enjoy my baby at the same time. What I think is atrocious about CV's method is the enjoyment, bonding and love she is depriving parents of as well as babies. DS is 9 months, trying to walk but still lights up when he sees me putting my sling on so obviously loves being carried.

appletree3520 · 04/10/2007 13:54

(By the way I'm using the Close baby carrier too, it's fab)

hunkermunker · 04/10/2007 13:54

Do you feel you and your views were manipulated by the programme makers?

What advice would you give to somebody who'd been asked by the same TV company to do a similar sort of show? What things should they watch out for?

ahundredtimes · 04/10/2007 13:54

Thank you for your reply. I agree with you. Let's start a new movement called: Make It Up as We Go Along and Do What Feels Right To Us At the Time and Get By on a Wing and a Prayer and The Belief that All will be Well.

You can be our media representative

theUrbanDryad · 04/10/2007 13:55

100x

BlueberryPancake · 04/10/2007 13:56

"This does sound awful, however I am not convinced that this conditions were caused by carrying their babies. A sling is simply a tool to make your life easier giving you your hands free when you would normally be carrying your baby. Were these women also involved with very arduous physical work? "

Yes, Claire, they are very hard working people. I agree that it is not an equal comparaison, but wouldn't you agree that carrying a 10 - 12- 14 pounds load on your front or back all day can cause back problems? Also, isn't it true that in real life tribal, the baby is 'passed around' to be carried by different people and with today's reality, a mum at home will be by herself a lot of the time. I'm struggling with the idea of having this constant weight - my 'common sense' really tells me that it will hurt! I now carry my 6 month old in a sling a lot of the time when we go out and it feels so good when I put him down...

HWW · 04/10/2007 13:57

By the way, I use the Close baby carrier and it's fantastic! The perfect mix of security, comfort, practicality and yes - style (I want me and my baby to look good too)

ClaireScott · 04/10/2007 13:57

LoRayningNewtsAndFrogs

It's wonderful that you are your DH like the ideas. And with regard to you DH feeding, this is actually the only physical thing he 'can't' do. You could express, but I wouldn't suggest it before 6 weeks as it could affect your milk supply. Plus I truly believe that dads and their babies can have a terrific relationship without the requirement of feeding them. Look how much more bonding co sleeping dads get!

LoRayningNewtsAndFrogs · 04/10/2007 14:01

Thanks Claire, It was kind of what I expected anyway. (I have had two dc's with a previous partner and bf the second, unless I genuinely needed someone else to feed him)

DP is also a bit worried about co-sleeping in that he would lay on baby, is it shown to be safer for the baby to be in the middle of mum and dad or on mums side away from dd??Or does this not matter?

ClaireScott · 04/10/2007 14:01

theUrbanDryad
From what I saw, there was little to no involvement from health professionals during filming. Apart from when I called the LLL to come and see Grace (and she was fantastic!). From what I understand they showed the complete series to Drs after it was finished. However! I cannot be quoted on that I this may not be the case!

susiecutie · 04/10/2007 14:02

I hope I've not missed you.. I did post a question last night ( well aitchtwoo did on my behlf)

I have a verry bad back problem, but loved holdong my dd in a sling. I was given a wilkinet sling and it has been great, and not placed too much strain on my back. Now she is 9 months now and alot bigger, I still love to pop her in the sling from time to time but really feeling it on my back now.

Is your sling designed to be safe for mums with bad backs? does it give enough support fr such problems|?

do you know anyone who's used one with a back problem, and has been ok? i'm interested in trying one...

hunkermunker · 04/10/2007 14:02

Were the women and babies still under the care of community midwives and health visitors as is standard in the UK?

theUrbanDryad · 04/10/2007 14:03

bum - i've got to go out. thanks for answering my questions Claire, will read the rest of the thread when i get in.

keep up the good work

ps: you don't happen to have CV's home address do you?

CastsSpellsWitchySpells · 04/10/2007 14:05

Claire - if the basis of TCC is to carry the baby and allow access to the breast at all times, at what age do you start to not carry them all the time, and when would you start to deny the constant breast access? My 19 month old dd would happily still have access to my breasts around the clock, but it just isn't realistic for me to allow this at this age. Where do you draw the line?

ClaireScott · 04/10/2007 14:07

VeronicaMars
Some dads just aren't around as much as the mums and therefore baby gets more used to mum. I would suggest that dad starts by putting baby in a carrier and going for walks on his own. Or doing a job around the house. Developing a special bond away from you may really help in him settling baby at night.

hunkermunker · 04/10/2007 14:10

Think I might miss the end of this as have to go for a bit (blinking children ) but want to say thank you to CS for coming and answering everything so well. I'd be interested in contacting you in future re bf support promotion in the UK - would that be OK? My email's hunkermunker at gmail dot com (hope this is OK, MNHQ).

AitchTwoOh · 04/10/2007 14:10

good question, hunker.

LittleBella · 04/10/2007 14:11

CS, thanks for your comprehensive answers to all the questions, you've done the best job I've yet seen on a mumsnet live talk.

belgo · 04/10/2007 14:11

Thank you for answering my question Claire Scott