A child psychologist who has helped millions of parents across the country raise their babies and children in the last 45 years has rewritten her hugely popular book for a new generation. It is estimated there are 3million copies of Your Baby and Child in circulation across the country, with a number of versions released since the first edition in the 1970s.
But it has now had its most thorough rewrite and update, reports The Times, reflecting changing gender roles, technology and new attitudes.
Dr Leach said: “It was a case of rewrite or kill, frankly. It’s nearly 50 years since I wrote it, and it was a different world. The expectation was still that parents would be a heterosexual couple, that Daddy would go out to work and Mummy would primarily stay at home with the baby. Do you recognise today’s world? No, neither did I.”
The book still contains the same tried and tested advice on everything from getting your child to sleep to potty training, language learning and weaning. But it also updates issues such as gender roles - with a more central role for fathers than was considered 'normal' in the 1970s.
Dr Leach said: "Babies will have a principal attachment figure, and if it’s not the mother it will be whoever is available, and very often that will be the father."
But some things have not changed - Dr Leach is still not a fan of nurseries, preferring that if children are not with parents or grandparents they should be with a single figure - such as a childminder.Talking to The Times Dr Leach has explained why the book needed to be updated, and how parenting has changed. She said: “I think parents are warmer, kindlier and gentler with very small children than we used to be. Parents talk about their children, they watch them and are aware of where they’re at. That’s hugely important.”
But she also has a warning about technology, adding: "While it may seem obvious to hand your phone to your baby while you’re making supper, too much time with your phone [for them] is a bit of a waste of time that could have been spent talking to you, or watching you, or dropping cutlery off the highchair.”
Your Baby and Child by Penelope Leach (2022 edition) is published by DK, £20
