BBC show Trust Me I’m a Doctor hit with 262 complaints over ‘irresponsible’ baby care advice

Episode saw experts discourage co-sleeping and promote the ‘cry it out’ method

Trust Me I'm a Doctor (BBC)

The BBC has received hundreds of complaints about an episode of its medical series Trust Me I’m a Doctor, after viewers accused it of broadcasting “irresponsible” baby care advice.

In the corporation’s fortnightly complaints report, it states that 262 people contacted the BBC over “inaccurate or irresponsible advice given on care for infants” on the show.

The episode, which aired on 22 January, saw experts discuss co-sleeping, which was discouraged, and talk about the ‘cry it out’ method – where the infant is left alone to soothe itself.

One viewer wrote on Twitter: “@BBCOne disgraceful piece on programme ‘Trust me I’m a Doctor’ regarding babies and sleep. Fear mongering about bed sharing&promoting the cry it out method. No mention that breast feeding lowers the risk of SIDS. Where do you get your ill informed ‘experts’? @LullabyTrust.”

When asked about the complaints, a BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: “The piece on babies’ sleep habits recognised that parents can have different approaches, and the information provided was based on published research that identifies the associated risks.

“In the case of co-sleeping, the expert interviewee reflected the findings of a major international peer-reviewed study as well as post-natal care guidance in the UK and US.

“In relation to ‘sleep training’ techniques that involve periods of crying, the expert based her observations about the risks on published, peer-reviewed scientific studies. The piece did include the advice that sleep training is not appropriate for babies younger than six months.

“We have updated the programme website to put this advice first and added a link to the Lullaby Trust’s Safer Sleep advice, which provides evidence-based information for parents on how to ensure safe sleeping arrangements for their baby.”

The BBC also received 111 complaints over a Casualty episode showing a same-sex kiss, and 254 complaints about footage of LeBron James shown in error during coverage of the death of Kobe Bryant.

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Last December, it was revealed that Roxanne Pallett’s inaccurate claim that she had been punched by a fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant was the most complained-about TV moment of the decade.