In the 1950s, women were inspired by the methods of New Zealand health reformer Dr Frederic Truby King.
The basics include: Discipline, predictability, early detachment of baby and mother, order, one size fits all and start as you mean to go on.
Features
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Feeding every four hours
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Night feeds get dropped as soon as possible to minimise length of time parents' sleep is disrupted
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Limiting the amount of contact between baby and carer – 10 minutes of cuddling per day
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Baby sleeps in own room from day one
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Baby spends several hours in the garden every day
Fans
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Mothers going back to work
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Parents who don't want their lives disrupted by the arrival of a baby
Critics
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Believers in Attachment Theory
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Parents who like spontaneity and flexibility in planning their day
Tips
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Although Truby King encouraged breastfeeding (when his book was first published, formula milk was really just cow's milk with added sugar) many women find routine-based methods easier to follow if they combine bottle and breast or just use a bottle
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Ban visitors in the early days as they'll disrupt your routine
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Be steadfast – not rushing to your child may feel hard at first but later it will pay dividends.
