Baby Wise Book!

yep, I read it when my older daughter was tiny and it worked great for us. She was and continues to be a great sleeper and a very settled child.

It was very useful until about 6 months when we started solids and then I moved onto Gina Ford "Contented Little Baby" - I found the fact that the advocated the need to say 'grace' before every solids feed for baby a little different to my lifestyle.

The CLB book had more info on how and when to bring solids in and the changing routine of an older baby (6 - 12 months)

I'm with Mamma2N - there are cases in the US where deaths of infants have been linked to the use of Gary Ezzo's methods.

The link Mamma2N has given I think is the actual statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning these books and how dangerous Ezzo's methods are.

From the same blog, here are some more articles on "survivors" of babywise and the like:

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/taking-down-babywise-hero.html

I would VERY strongly advocate against bothering to read or use the methods in his books. And I mean *strongly*.

Here are some more links about why anyone thinking of using Babywise routines should reconsider:

http://www.ezzo.info/

http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/train-up-child-in-way-he-should-go.html (from paediatrician Dr William Sears)

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/pediatric-nurse-and-former-ezzo-parent.html

If you're into baby "training" (we aren't) there are definitely better books out there.

Anthea wrote: how did you know his kids dont talk to him?

Go here, towards the bottom of the page:

http://www.ezzo.info/charactercounts.htm

In particular:

"His family does not reflect the promises in his books. It seems obvious that an advisor on healthy family life should have a healthy, functional family of his or her own. The Ezzos' children are presently estranged from their parents. This is particularly troubling since the Ezzos say the goal of their program is friendship with adult children and urge that parenting philosophies, including their own, be judged by "observ[ing] the end results.""


Edited by HippyMama

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I read the book recently (never got around to it before I had Bethany) and found that while there were some good ideas in there, I didn't totally agree with everything. I have a friend who swears by it, and her kids really are thriving, but it's still not for me.

However I do think that if you take some of their ideas as 'suggestions' they can be helpful. For example, while I would never go with a routine simply because it was in a book, their suggestions for time frames between feeds actually lined up with what I did for Bethany in the early days although I'd never read the book at that point myself. Obviously it wouldn't work for every baby though, and in the end it's your mummy's instinct that needs to kick in so you can do what is best for your own child.

I think the danger is if you read something like babywise - or any parenting book for that matter - and treat it as law, rather than tailoring your days around what works best for you and for baby. Personally I'd never be comfortable sticking with the book to the letter. But if you are the type of mother who needs order and routine to be able to be the best mum you can be, then this may be a good book for you to base your days on. As long as you hold to it loosely and put your child's wellbeing first, that is.

That's just me though. I'd say yes, it was worth the read! But don't think it's the only way to parent - or that anyone should feel like they're a bad parent if they're not parenting that way. (Which can be tempting whenever any of us read these kinds of books, or comes across someone who thinks that their way is the only way to do things :P) Cuz neither is true!

So in a long winded answer to your question: I would say that yes - it does work. But just because it 'works' isn't the reason to do it. For me, all those extra snuggles and baby wearing and being able to go out and about with a baby that could sleep anywhere was more important to me than a baby who did everything by clockwork including sleeping through the night.

Hope that helps and isn't just a confusing ramble lol!

Just serving up tea now, but you could always start by Googling authors like Pinky McKay, Elizabeth Pantley, Dr William Sears and the like

I will try to remember to come back later with some more authors and book titles for you.

Flissty- your right they make me feel like the worst mother in the world because I dont follow there book! God gave me a brain so I should use it right!

I haven't read it but I like Secrets of the Baby Whisperer - outlines the Eat, Activity, Sleep, You routine but it isn't hard and fast and is quite a gentle approach. I'd recommend it if you're after information about settling into routines but without strict timeframes.

thanks for that Febgirl going to see if I can get my hands on that book