BabyWise

[Niffer]

Does anyone here use the "Baby Wise" method?
Both my sister and SIL have used and promoted the book - though both would say it's more about 'routine' rather than schedule.

'forget the clock' my sister told me. 'just focus on getting the "eat, waketime, naptime," routine.

Eloise is 9 weeks old, and I'm trying it out, but wanted other parents' comment/concerns.

Thanks!

- Niffer

 

[GloryBe!]

I was given this book by my sisters, too. They say it worked awesome with all eight of their kids. I haven't delivered my baby yet, but would like to hear some feedback, as well.

Glory be!

 

[lucypevensie]

I read it after my second-born child was born, and utilized the routine as described in the book. I had a really hard time with him as a newborn because he had SUCH an intense personality compared to his older sister (still does, actually), and I had no. idea. how. to deal with that. I was crazy with anxiety about what to do with him. His big sis was such an easygoing baby, responded to cuddles, rocking, nursing and the typical baby-soothing techniques. Perhaps it should have been obvious, but I had to learn that crying does not necessarily mean the baby wants to nurse or snuggle.

The book helped me regroup my thoughts and most important, helped me to relax about my challenging baby. I learned to recognize that his cries meant different things and was able to respond to them more effectively.

A baby who slept well on his own at an early age was a nice bonus.

 

[Niffer]

I was given this book by my sisters, too. They say it worked awesome with all eight of their kids. I haven't delivered my baby yet, but would like to hear some feedback, as well.

Glory be!

Well, I just, just started it, and right now my baby is down for her first night sleep in her crib! She went down completely awake, and besides a few squeaks here and there, she's quiet and happy!

I'm praying this isn't fluke, and that this eat/play/sleep routine really works for her!

I read it after my second-born child was born, and utilized the routine as described in the book. I had a really hard time with him as a newborn because he had SUCH an intense personality compared to his older sister (still does, actually), and I had no. idea. how. to deal with that. I was crazy with anxiety about what to do with him. His big sis was such an easygoing baby, responded to cuddles, rocking, nursing and the typical baby-soothing techniques. Perhaps it should have been obvious, but I had to learn that crying does not necessarily mean the baby wants to nurse or snuggle.

The book helped me regroup my thoughts and most important, helped me to relax about my challenging baby. I learned to recognize that his cries meant different things and was able to respond to them more effectively.

A baby who slept well on his own at an early age was a nice bonus.

Ah, well Eloise is only 9 weeks, so I'm not going to let her CIO yet.
Really, I won't until she starts using her crying as a manipulator. Right now when she cries, I respond.
Plus at this age I want her to have the comforting knowledge that if she's crying I'll show up.

Still it's her first night not in my bedroom, and I'm having some new-mummy seperation anxiety, even though she's only, literally 4 more steps away in the next room.
STILL!

Peace,
- Niffer

 

[JRSut1000]

Do we schedule our eating and sleep? Just sayin...

While it probably is a good idea for sanity's sake to have some type of routine, I don't believe it has to be according to a book's schedule or exact idea. It sets one up for great disappointment if there baby isn't just like every other baby. (Seriously, what baby is like any other baby anyways?) I've found it works to go with your baby's schedule because it constantly changes depending on foods, developmental milestones, etc.

 

[GloryBe!]

Well, I just, just started it, and right now my baby is down for her first night sleep in her crib! She went down completely awake, and besides a few squeaks here and there, she's quiet and happy!

I'm praying this isn't fluke, and that this eat/play/sleep routine really works for her!

Ah, well Eloise is only 9 weeks, so I'm not going to let her CIO yet.
Really, I won't until she starts using her crying as a manipulator. Right now when she cries, I respond.
Plus at this age I want her to have the comforting knowledge that if she's crying I'll show up.

Still it's her first night not in my bedroom, and I'm having some new-mummy seperation anxiety, even though she's only, literally 4 more steps away in the next room.
STILL!

Peace,
- Niffer

What's CIO?

Glory be!

 

[JRSut1000]

Cry It Out

 

[GloryBe!]

Oh. Lol! Thanks...

Glory be!

 

[lucypevensie]

Do we schedule our eating and sleep? Just sayin...

While it probably is a good idea for sanity's sake to have some type of routine, I don't believe it has to be according to a book's schedule or exact idea. It sets one up for great disappointment if there baby isn't just like every other baby. (Seriously, what baby is like any other baby anyways?) I've found it works to go with your baby's schedule because it constantly changes depending on foods, developmental milestones, etc.

I pretty much schedule my own sleep and eating. I'd be all mixed up and stressed out all the time if I didn't. This is why I think it is fine to help our children develop a generalized daily routine. Our bodies and minds like rhythm. I do agree that you shouldn't have to feel pressured to do it just like a particular book states. But for me this was the first parenting book I read that stressed routine, a different parenting concept to me, so that's probably why it made such an impression on me.

When I read the book I never got the impression that the author means the parent to be stringent and unwavering from the schedule. Instead, I got that you need to be flexible in your schedule. Feed the baby if he's hungry. Put the baby to bed if she needs to sleep. Even if it's before the "right time".

 

[JRSut1000]

Yeah, all in good common sense.

 

[Jilly123]

I didn't have a very good experience with Babywise. I ended up a stressed out mess because my baby didn't follow the routine! We were both much happier when we stopped.

One thing I wanted to point out was that if you're breastfeeding, breast milk contains a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK), which is a sleep-inducing hormone. I found that whenever I fed my newborn she would just want to go back to sleep. I found a general routine of sleep/play/feed/sleep worked far better for us. I also found trying to do everything by the clock and strictly to the babywise schedule actually decreased my milk supply. In fact I heard that the AAP (American Assoc. of Pediatrics) actually cautioned parents against using the Babywise method and milk supply issues were just one of the reasons why. Focus on the Family and Dr. James Dobson have also spoken out against the Babywise method.

I do believe in establishing healthy eating and sleeping habits, but I don't think it means withholding feeds when your baby is hungry or ignoring a baby's needs, or using CIO. DD ended up sleeping through the night very early and that was without using CIO or the Babywise routine.

I do believe that it works for a lot of parents and babies, but I don't believe it's the best and healthiest method to use.

 

[Niffer]

I just started doing a babywise schedule with my 2 month old. I wouldn't do it with a newborn, like you said Jilly, it could really mess with milk production.
I will still nurse her before she goes down for the night, because she settles better.

However, its been working great for naps during the day. She sleeps now for about an hour to hour and a half at a time.

So here's hoping it all goes well.

Peace,
-Niffer

 

[CrystalBrooke]

Am I the only person who didn't read the book? Or any parenting book for that matter?


I could tell when Emily was hungry or sleepy and at those times I acted accordingly...sometimes it was the same times of the day for weeks, sometimes she'd change it up. Didn't matter to me. And I didn't do CIO and don't plan to next time, either.

 

[JRSut1000]

And you know what, nothing can beat mama instinct! But I felt completely unconfident and clueless and a new mom so I relied on various sources and had to decide for myself what would work for our little family.

 

[christianmomof3]

Babywise is bad.
Don't do it.
GCM Articles -- Confessions of a Failed Babywiser
GCM Articles - Ezzo Philosophy
GCM Articles - Examining the Evidence for Cue Feeding of Breastfed Infants
Ezzo.info - Evaluate Babywise & Other Programs

 

[Niffer]

Am I the only person who didn't read the book? Or any parenting book for that matter?


I could tell when Emily was hungry or sleepy and at those times I acted accordingly...sometimes it was the same times of the day for weeks, sometimes she'd change it up. Didn't matter to me. And I didn't do CIO and don't plan to next time, either.

Well, I'd have to say that as a first time mom, while I recognize things like her being tired/hungry/gassy etc, it's just getting her into a routine that seems to work for most babies, and I didn't know where to start.

And you know what, nothing can beat mama instinct! But I felt completely unconfident and clueless and a new mom so I relied on various sources and had to decide for myself what would work for our little family.

Exactly! I've also read through the "Attachment Parenting" book by the Sears' and taken bits I liked from that resource as well.

Babywise is bad.
Don't do it.
GCM Articles -- Confessions of a Failed Babywiser
GCM Articles - Ezzo Philosophy
GCM Articles - Examining the Evidence for Cue Feeding of Breastfed Infants
Ezzo.info - Evaluate Babywise & Other Programs

Thanks for the links, but my personal views differ too greatly from the core values of GCM..I've been through their articles before, and found them very extreme....
The one mum talks about 'starving her child' ... I think she took the scheduling to much to heart. I feed my baby when she's hungry and put her down to sleep when she's tired. She nurses as long as she likes, and has never CIO'd.
However figuring out the eat/play/sleep routine gave me a chance to put her down for a nap in her crib, while still awake, so she can teach herself to fall asleep.
Not once has she cried when I put her to bed...becase she's tired! She likes it!

Everything should be taken with a grain of salt, and some good logical sense. If I read something and don't like it, I simply won't do it.

Peace,
- Niffer

 

[white dove]

Am I the only person who didn't read the book? Or any parenting book for that matter?

No.

I could tell when Emily was hungry or sleepy and at those times I acted accordingly...sometimes it was the same times of the day for weeks, sometimes she'd change it up. Didn't matter to me. And I didn't do CIO and don't plan to next time, either.

I don't know about the BabyWise technique specifics, but I think the key is to just being in-tune with your baby and your body because I think we are more in-sync with our babies than anything else. I was told by a couple people to wake up my newborn baby if he needed to eat (because you work on a schedule); even though it would be difficult to want to wake him while sleeping soundly. I don't believe in that and it never sounded like the right advice to me. Your baby knows when he or she is hungry. He or she also knows when they're tired. It doesn't hurt a baby to sleep a bit longer or shorter. It's their little bodies! Unless there is something really wrong and the baby is not thriving or if the baby is sick, then the pediatrician should obviously know this and see what recommendations to make.

 

[zaksmummy]

Ive never heard of babywise, but routine is good. But it has to be babys routine. My oldest had a 3 hourly routine, my second a 4 hourly routine - each child is different and has their own needs and quirky ways. Just remember though their routines change every couple of months so you need to adapt as you go.