In his book, Feeding and Care of Baby, Dr Frederic Truby King stressed the importance of physical fitness for mothers, breastfeeding, and discipline for children.
This meant establishing a strict routine in which babies were put into their own nurseries from day one, fed on a four-hourly schedule, left for long periods on their own outside in their prams and rarely cuddled.
Although Truby King's methods found favour in post-war Britain, the concept that babies needed 'toughening-up' was in vogue long before this. In the 1920s, one child expert suggested that 'over-coddling' in infancy led to 'invalidism' and there was a feeling that babies who were constantly held would make lousy soldiers.
Modern-day proponents of regimented systems suggest babies thrive on routine because it provides them with consistency and security. In addition, parents flounder less as there are strict rules to follow and, with persistence, they can avoid months of sleepless nights and feeding problems.
But the lack of cuddling has causes consternation among some experts. Dr Stella Acquarone, director of the School of Infant Mental Health, in London, says the science supports the fact that children should be comforted if actively distressed.
"If you leave a child to get distressed, the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) will increase and neuroscience has shown us that this causes the child to become increasingly frightened and to cry more."
Modern-day followers of Truby King include celebrity baby guru Claire Verity, while others advocate their own brand of routine-based care. Dr Richard Ferber, for example, devised a system of 'controlled crying', while baby expert Gina Ford has made her name by promoting a routine-based system.
Supporting the method, Claire Verity says: "A baby thrives on routine, from day one. If you're wanting a baby who sleeps well and feeds well, what you need is a good routine."
