The infant sleep industry has become a “Wild West” with new parents being given incorrect information by “dangerous” individuals posing as experts, Connor Rand has said.
The Altrincham and Sale West MP said self-proclaimed professionals are able to “give parents advice that puts their child’s life at risk” without any consequences.
Four-month-old Madison Bruce Smith, grandson of former football player and manager Steve Bruce, died in Mr Rand's constituency in October 2024 after being put into an unsafe sleeping position on the advice of someone who called themselves a maternity nurse, despite having no medical qualifications.
In the case of Madison, who was the son of former footballer Matt Smith, senior coroner Alison Mutch issued a prevention of future deaths report to the Secretary of State for Health.
The government has pledged to protect the title of “nurse” within this Parliament and will publish a call for evidence “shortly”, health minister Karin Smyth told the Commons on Monday (June 8).
Mr Rand pressed for this legislation to go further and include titles such as “practitioner” and “consultant” to protect vulnerable parents.
He also said mandatory training and standards, in addition to a national register, for those providing home-based childcare would “strengthen safeguarding”, give parents clarity and professionalise the sector.
Mr Rand told MPs: “Health visitors and the vast majority of nannies who provide responsible care give us vital support that helps parents get by.
“But what if when we turned for help the person who responded was not someone we could trust? What if they were not the expert they claimed or seemed to be? What if they had no qualifications, no training and no accountability?
“When this happens, we run the risk of unimaginable tragedy.
Read more
Secondary school pays tribute to 'beloved' and 'deeply respected' maths teacher
Man arrested after two people injured during 'assault' in Timperley
Popular Altrincham cafe to expand with new location
“The support we used to provide for new parents has shrunk. In the gaps that this has caused, the infant sleep industry has boomed.
“And this industry is a Wild West where literally anyone can pose as an expert and give parents advice that puts their child’s life at risk.”
He added: “People looking after children should have basic medical and early years training, including on safe sleep.”
Responding to the debate, Ms Smyth acknowledged the public is being misled by those in the industry.
She said: “Protecting the title nurse will make it a criminal offence for someone to call themselves a nurse unless they are registered as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or part of one of a number of exempt professions, such as dental nurses and veterinary nurses.
“And these new protections will apply to longer professional titles that include the word nurse, such as maternity nurse and night nurse,” she added.
Ms Smyth said all early years providers are required to meet the safer sleep requirements set out in the statutory framework.
