Bringing up baby

I DISAGREE with raising babies in the style of Call The Midwife (Letters). I had four children and feel that to leave a baby to cry is cruel.

A baby does not cry for no reason and their needs must be met or you will have an unhappy child.

While training as a midwife, I was taught in the Seventies that a baby does need a routine, but a flexible one.

All my children were fed every three hours with two night feeds until they were nearly a year old. The baby slept in a cot by my bed in case it needed me during the night and when I was out and about I carried them in a sling where they were cuddled, cosy and warm, and were fed discreetly.

Babies and mothers should bond, so they need closeness, not aloofness. Following a strict timetable seems too rigid, cold and rather unkind.

Babies are delicate, fragile, and need warmth, love and understanding. Keeping my children close to me ensured that when they grew up, they confided in me about any problems or difficulties they were experiencing. They all turned out well behaved and considerate to others.

Giving love to a child will not turn it into a spoilt brat, but helps it to be kind and strong when faced with adversity. Mrs CATHERINE VENTURE,

St Austell, Cornwall. THE advice on the traditional strict way to bring up children should be compulsive reading for young mothers.

Our four children were brought up in a carbon copy style during the Sixties.

There was never a dummy in the house and we always had peaceful nights. JOHN MORRIS,

Stoke, Staffs.