Last week I finished BabyWise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam. Based on internet reviews this seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate. I am not a parent yet so I can't say definitely how it will work for us, but I do know many people who have used the principles in this book and have had great results.
I didn't find this book to be as extreme as some of the reviewers claimed it was. In fact from how I was raised and my own personal beliefs I think this book supports a style of parenting that I am very much on board with. I think schedules are good though there should be flexibility within any schedule. Also I really believe parents need to be in charge and that teaching {even at a young age} is the parents responsibility. I know not everyone will agree with this approach and that is OK. We are all allowed to raise our kids as we see fit.
From all of the hype I thought the book would be predominantly about getting your baby to sleep and making them cry it out. After reading the book I was surprised at how much of the focus is on feeding your baby and helping to regulate their metabolism. Also the emphasis on awake time before sleep time was new to me, but it makes a lot of sense.
I recognize that until we have our baby in November we have no idea what we are in for but we do plan to work on implementing a lot of the tactics in this book.
A friend of mine also recommended that we read The Happiest Baby on the Block.
Excerpts from the book:
The greatest overall influence you will have on your children will not come in your role as an individual, but in your joint role as husband and wife.
Children should be welcome members of the family and not the center of it.
Immediate gratification training negatively impacts a child's ability to learn the skills of sitting, focusing, and concentrating.
...feelings are not the basis for sound decision making. To deny the importance of careful assessment is to deny parents their leadership role. Leaders must be clear-headed and ready to make decisions. They should not be driven by their emotions....sometimes people redefine order to mean rigidity, and that leads to imbalance. Balance includes both structure and flexibility.
I have heard nothing but bad things about that book. Here are some articles about it:http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/topics/unprepared.php
ReplyDeleteand these articles share a better way of parenting:
http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/topics/apnp.php
Congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you the best with your new little one!
I recommend reading The No Cry Sleep Solution. Something needs to balance out a book like Babywise! I'd be real careful about trying to put a young baby on a "feeding schedule," too. They know what they need!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input. The breast feeding class I took at Vanderbilt supported having a feeding schedule. I am open to reading different materials but I am comfortable with many of the principles taught in the BabyWise book.
ReplyDeleteI personally did not find the suggestions in the book to be punitive or adversarial at all. I know many people who have used the principles in BabyWise as a guide and it has worked for them and their children are well nurtured and thriving today.