The MP for Altrincham and Sale has described the unregulated baby sleep industry as the “Wild West” in a Parkiamentary debate and called for the introduction of “mandatory safeguarding and qualification standards” for everyone providing paid support to families.
Connor Rand said that The death of the four-month-old grandson of football manager Steve Bruce which happened in his constituency had shown the real-world consequences of allowing unqualified practitioners.
Rand led the debate in Parliament on regulating the infant sleep industry so we can crack down on dangerous fake experts, protect children and support parents.
“I remember the exhaustion, confusion and anxiety that we all face as new parents. It’s natural for us to seek help, but as the postnatal support that used to be provided by health visitors has shrunk, the infant sleep industry has boomed.”
He added
“This industry is a wild west where literally anyone can pose as an expert and give vulnerable parents bogus advice on safe sleeping that puts their child’s life at risk. This has already led to tragedy, and without change, it will happen again.
