Babywise?

jasonsgirly

I was just wanting a few opinions on this concept.  I've only heard negative ones so I decided not to try it out.  But after telling a friend I'm dealing with DD's random sleeping schedule, she recommended the book to me.  Because I've only heard that it's bad, I"m not even going to discuss the concept with her b/c I don't feel like it's my part to critique someone else's parenting style.  And that's on top of the fact that I know nothing about it...except that I believe CIO is part of the process.  I've been loyal to Sears' parenting books. 

 Forgive my lack of knowledge in this area...and I really don't want to start any controversy.  I just want honest opinions (good and bad).  TIA

DomerJenC

i haven't read the book, but i did read the reviews on amazon.com - they were enough to make me stay away!

Lotte134

I haven't read the book either, but I thought it was more geared towards starting from the beginning with newborns.  Also, you've probably already heard, but the AAP has come out against the book because some of the things it preaches (eating schedule, etc...) are harmful to babies.

That said, there are a lot kinder options out there to get your LO on a routine of sorts.  I like the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child for its info on how children sleep at different ages and what is realistic to expect.  It does have CIO aspects so I used it more for the information than for the process and I learned a lot.

renee143

step away from the babywise! ?::shudders::

pixieprincss

I am only a "potential parent", but I have read it, as well as Dr. Sears. I wanted to read perspectives from many sources so when we could start thinking now about the general approach we want to parent in. I also deal with lots of parents and work and want to be able to relate to them.

Anyway, IMO People make WAY to much of a big deal about Babywise. It isn't the devil incarnate. It is one man's opinion. The biggest critics on the Nest/Bump from previous posts (not on this board) are people who clearly have not even read the book. Even the bashing websites mention things that aren't in the book.  I think it is worth checking it out from the library and reading it as ONE approach to things that you consider along with Dr. Sears, and what your Great Aunt Hilda says, and the No Cry Sleep Solution, and (most importantly) your insincts. Even if you hate the books, it at least might help you refine why you think different strategies are better. Oh and for the record...we will probably go more with AP-style and cosleeping (which Babyswise decries, by the way ).

DomerJenC

I agree it can get taken out of context, but this article really skeeved me out.

pixieprincss

DomerJenC:

I agree it can get taken out of context, but this article really skeeved me out.

I have read about this family before and it makes me so sad. Poor little baby!  But, it also shows a lack of common sense, consulting any other source, or even the parents trusting their instincts (no matter how new and unrefined those instincts are at that point).  The book doesn't say to ignore and starve your child. After all of the Bump mania about it, I expected it to say that. I expected it to say the schedule is the most important thing, no matter  the cost. I was prepared to hate the book. But it doesn't say that.

TheBrowns

I've read it and think it is crap. I like Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child and the Ferber book a billion times better. My DS was having sleep issues as an infant and I read every sleep book I could find. After about 6 books, I could take all of the knowledge and make something work for us. He's been a great sleeper since about 6 months.

DomerJenC

pixieprincss:

DomerJenC:

I agree it can get taken out of context, but this article really skeeved me out.

I have read about this family before and it makes me so sad. Poor little baby!  But, it also shows a lack of common sense, consulting any other source, or even the parents trusting their instincts (no matter how new and unrefined those instincts are at that point).  The book doesn't say to ignore and starve your child. After all of the Bump mania about it, I expected it to say that. I expected it to say the schedule is the most important thing, no matter  the cost. I was prepared to hate the book. But it doesn't say that.

hehe, i meant the weird christian undertones! (i'm such a heathen catholic)

pixieprincss

DomerJenC:

pixieprincss:

DomerJenC:

I agree it can get taken out of context, but this article really skeeved me out.

I have read about this family before and it makes me so sad. Poor little baby!  But, it also shows a lack of common sense, consulting any other source, or even the parents trusting their instincts (no matter how new and unrefined those instincts are at that point).  The book doesn't say to ignore and starve your child. After all of the Bump mania about it, I expected it to say that. I expected it to say the schedule is the most important thing, no matter  the cost. I was prepared to hate the book. But it doesn't say that.

hehe, i meant the weird christian undertones! (i'm such a heathen catholic)

Oh, ha ha!