Clegg's mother of all rows with Gina Ford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nick Clegg is embroiled in a row with Britain's best-known childcare guru after he likened her methods to "sticking babies in broom cupboards".
The Liberal Democrat leader, who has three children, described Gina Ford's methods, which encourage parents to have strict bath, bed and feeding routines for their newborns, as "absolute nonsense". Her regime even recommends that parents do not look their baby in the eye during night-time feeds in case they "excite" the child. Speaking about trying to follow the advice in Ford's book, The Contented Little Baby Book – the bestselling childcare guide in the last 10 years – Mr Clegg said: "It was like following a sort of Ikea assembly instruction manual. It made us feel strangely passive as parents."
Asked about the sleeping patterns of his 10-month-old son Miguel, he said: "Don't get me on to Gina Ford. With our first one, we religiously followed Gina Ford. Instructions like, stick him in a broom cupboard at 7.46am. At 7.48am, take him out, do not look at him ... Absolute nonsense."
Ford immediately hit back, suggesting Mr Clegg had insulted millions of parents who use her methods. The former maternity nurse suggested his party should think about finding a different leader. "What is sad about this statement is that it comes from a supposedly intelligent man who would have us believe he is capable of running Britain," she said.
Ford was involved in a libel action against the owners of the Mumsnet website in 2006 over remarks about her techniques. The case was settled out of court.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments