Bringing Up Baby , the four-part series which looks at three of history’s most influential childcare methods, continues with an exploration of conflicting views on sleeping, feeding and receiving visitors. Every parent wants the best for baby but there many different opinions on how to raise a child.

In recent years new parents have turned increasingly to childcare manuals, only to be confronted with often contradictory advice which can result in more confusion and uncertainty. Bringing Up Baby takes the guiding principles of three of last century’s most influential childcare manuals – from the 50s, 60s and 70s – and observes six families as they put into practice their chosen method for the first three months of their babies’ lives.

This episode deals with the crucial first two-week period.

Under the watchful eyes of the three mentors, the programme observes the families as they pick their way through the minefield of new parenthood: trying to find a feeding method and routine which suits them; attempting to get a decent night’s sleep; and coping with the hordes of relatives and friends who want to visit their new arrivals. Not everyone agrees on the right way to raise a child and, as ever, there’s plenty of debate between the three mentors as they discuss the merits and limitations of their individual childcare methods.

Tuesday 2 October 2007, Channel 4 9PM