Need Advice: Babywise, EASY, other methods?

Shandie_725

I'll admit, I'm a bad mom.

I haven't been following a method/routine since I'm currently a SAHM. I feed her when she's hungry, put her down when she's tired and play with her when she's active/happy. She's kinda settled into her own routine (minus the napping, she's still trying to figure that out). And we have a set bedtime routine.

Any advice on any methods? I'm getting the Babywise book on Thursday from a friend, but I'm not sure what each method entails.

TIA! 

amykins1283

Eh...I never used a book or anything to tell me what to do with Liam.  I just followed his cues, like you are doing, and I now have a baby that eats well, naps well, and sleeps all night long (10+ hours).

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of "methods".  But, this is my first kid and I could totally be eating my words when I have my second.

BTW, I like the little note under Paige's ticker.  

CTri17

I don't think you need to follow a "method " persay. Especially if you have things worked out but it is important for them to nap. That I am big on

Personally we took a lot from babywise EXCEPT  CIO, we didn't do CIO until she was 5.5 mo old and even then it was an extremely modified ferber.

She has still yet to CIO for more than 7 min w/o us going in to calm her. But, we don't pick her up anymore because that was makin it take forever.

So if you can read BW with a grain of salt there is good stuff, very similar to EASY

WildcatPrincess

How is that being a bad mom??  IMO that's good parenting.

jilicious

Reading Baby Whisperer just gave me anxiety about not fitting into a routine. We do like eat activity play, since that helps baby learn to put themselves to sleep without relying on nursing to sleep, but honestly if your LO is giving you some pretty good cues, just follow her. We've slackened a LOT and if LO is tired right after eating then she gets to go down. If she wants to eat after Eat, Activity and before Sleep, then go for it, little girl!

Shandie_725

WildcatPrincess:

How is that being a bad mom??  IMO that's good parenting.

I guess I just fell "out of it" since I'm not following a routine with her.  

danto

Sounds like you're doing a great job! I've read wise and whisperer and like pp they gave me anxiety that I wasn't doing it 'right' Plus they hindered my ability to learn her cues (she can't be hungry yet she hasn't napped).

There are some good 'tips' Take it for that if you want but don't change the things you already know work for you

1ht

ANJ410

IMO, you don't need a "method", especially since she has already settled into a routine. I wouldn't mess with it.

Trying to follow specific parenting methods make you feel like a frustrated failure if your baby does not adapt. My first LO was colicky and fussy.  I tried so hard to follow Babywise, which is basically a set amount of time your baby should spend sleeping and awake and a set pattern for eating, playing and napping.  My son obviously did not get the memo because he never once slept for the length of time the method called for and he always fell asleep drinking his bottle, instead of playing for 45 minutes after, like the book wanted him to.  When I voiced my frustration to my pedi, he rolled his eyes at me and all but broke out in laughter.

At the time that pissed me off, but now that I have a few years of parenting under my belt, I see why.  You cannot FORCE a very young infant to sleep and stay awake whenever you want them to. They settle into a schedule that suits their own temperment.

And for what its worth, my 2nd LO could be a textbook example of the EASY schedule if I wanted to preach the EASY schedule to other parents, but that is not of my doing at all.  That is just who she is naturally. I did nothing to get her on that routine.

KittyKatMom

WildcatPrincess:

How is that being a bad mom??  IMO that's good parenting.

This. You're responding to your child's needs instead of trying to force her into some kind of ridiculous schedule. Keep doing what you're doing!

knedell

KittyKatMom:

WildcatPrincess:

How is that being a bad mom??  IMO that's good parenting.

This. You're responding to your child's needs instead of trying to force her into some kind of ridiculous schedule. Keep doing what you're doing!

I couldnt agree more.  Also, before you think about implementing babywise, read up on Ezzo.  I could say alot more, but I  will let you draw your own conclusions.

 https://www.ezzo.info/ 

kdiaisfly

If your baby is happy on her schedule then why change it? You don't need a book (especially baby-wise) to tell you what to do. You're doing great! 

PinkMnM26

Good parenting is listening to your child instead of baby gurus:)

 

I think you are fine.   Are you having a specific problem with your LO?

Quazel

knedell:

KittyKatMom:

WildcatPrincess:

How is that being a bad mom??  IMO that's good parenting.

This. You're responding to your child's needs instead of trying to force her into some kind of ridiculous schedule. Keep doing what you're doing!

I couldnt agree more.  Also, before you think about implementing babywise, read up on Ezzo.  I could say alot more, but I  will let you draw your own conclusions.

 https://www.ezzo.info/ 

 This.  Please read up on Ezzo.

You sound like an excellent parent to me.  You have learned what your child feels comfortable with and are taking care of her needs that way.  That is parenting by instinct, which I wish more people would do.  YOU are the expert on your child.  No author of any book or method has taken care of your child, only you truly know.  

If anything, it sounds like you should pick up a Dr. Sears Attachment Parenting book because he will give you support for what you are already doing, which is reading your baby's cues. Like any other method, you take what works for you and leave the rest.  I can tell you reading his books made me feel much better about myself as a parent.  It made me trust the fact that I have a healthy, happy baby so I must be doing something right.