Babywise vs. Healthy Child, Healthy Sleeping Habits?

picturememommy · February 2009

I'm a week from my due date and over the last month, I've read 4 different sleeping books! Now, I can barely remember one from another! Anyhow, Babywise was highly recommended from my neighbor and HCHSB was very highly recommended from some close friends and after reading my library, those two seem to be the best fit for us.

Has anyone put either or both of those books to practice and what has worked out for you? Thanks a bunch, ladies!

Sofka · February 2009

Babywise has been linked to babies "failing to thrive" b/c of its strict schedules, I believe infants should be fed on demand, esp. the 1st couple of months. IMHO, you should NOT wait 3 hrs to feed a newborn. But perhaps it's OK to use the BABYWISE philosophy on a 4-mo old, I don't know

I am reading HCHSH and am implementing the "nap every 2 hours, early bedtime" theory. some days it works, some days it doesn't, I have a pretty high-maintenance, hard baby. I don't think any baby can be really trained by a book but some are more adaptable than others.

read both of the books but give yourself time, see what kind of a baby you have. good luck!

picturememommy · February 2009

Thanks so much for the feedback, Sofka! I completely understand the concern that a baby should not wait to be fed for 3 hours, but Babywise does not support that at all and neither would I. It's not the first time I've heard that misconception about the book. It clearly states that a newborn should be fed whenever hungry, even if it's 1.5 hours or less. Have you had the chance to read the book? I'd love to hear any other thoughts you have on it because I am open to any mother's advice or experience...as I have none to go on except for what I've read.

I seriously doubt that I'd be able to implement either book to a "T" and although in a perfect situation, it would be great to use a book as an official baby manual. I will certainly take your advice and give myself time. That's probably going to be my best bet.

I'd love to hear any other experiences....

garden123 · February 2009

We've had a lot of success with HSHHC. Also, we've followed
Happiest baby on the Block practically to a t and it's like our bible. I have not read Babywise.

My son has slept throught the night (not 6 hours, but about 12) since before he was 3 months old. Now he is going through the 4 month wakefulness thing, but overall he's a great sleeper.

I think you have to take from each book/theory what works for your child.

garden123 · February 2009

FWIW, we bottle feed on demand. He was a little bit premature (born at 34w5d) so he was small and the neonatologist recommended we feed him at least every 3 hours in the beginning. Now, at 4 months, he usually feeds four times a day, which works out to be around every 3.5-4 hours (but we don't adhere to a schedule, it's all about what he wants).

picturememommy · February 2009

Thanks, Garden! I also read Happiest Baby on the Block. I watched it on DVD and my jaw dropped when I saw how quickly the methods worked on those crying babies!

garden123 · February 2009

Yeah, it's pretty remarkable. I don't know how people coped without swaddling! You'll probably have to explain it to people though, my ILs thought I was "shushing" the baby and telling him to be quiet instead of trying to comfort him It took several times of explaining it to them for them to get it.

I actually just sent the book to friends who are expecting and it will now be my go-to baby gift!

NowDNAtoo · February 2009

I didn't read Babywise so I can't comment on that, but I did read HSH,HC a couple months after Nicholas was born. I didn't exactly start following it then because he just wouldn't sleep well no matter what I seemed to try (he went through a variety of stages of sleep). At about 5ish months I went back reread the section of where he was at and started following the book and he really settled in and became a much better sleeper. He still has his moments of poor sleep, but I kind of attribute it to him being a more difficult baby (in regards to sleep--otherwise he's a complete joy) than me doing something wrong.

Sofka · February 2009

if you can, also read THE BABY WHISPERER and BABY 411

I don't have time to read anything these days so read while you can:)

smacb · February 2009

I liked Baby 411 and Happiest Baby on the Block. I'm not a fan of Babywise. We tried Ferber. I'm reading HCHSH. Different things work for different people. CIO did not work for me.

Karenbird · February 2009

Didn't read Babywise, so I can't speak to that. HSH, HC worked/is working really well for us. DD held out longer than many babies, but per the book, we waited until 9 months to stop overnight feedings, but she has been a well-rested and incredibly happy baby since the first week we started following it. To me, the most important thing in choosing a method was that HSH, HC was based in science, by a respected physician who specializes in pediatric sleep issues at a reputable hospital. If he hasn't already, have your DH read it, too. In those early pp weeks when mommy-brain sets in, it can help a lot to have your DH have read it so he can assist and support.

tracy042206 · February 2009

I've read both and the new Babywise book does address the failure to thrive concerns - basically if you tried to follow it strictly I could see where this might happen but they constantly stress following your baby's cues so I don't think this is such an issue with the latest version of the book.

They are both great guidelines but it is so true that every baby is different. I like the guideline of Eat, then play then sleep so that the baby doesn't get depenedent on eating to go to sleep during the day (at night it is Eat/Sleep, just cut out play). But if this is the only way to get your baby to sleep you'd be extremely frustrated by trying to follow this. I also liked the guidelines of how much baby should be sleeping but I had a baby with reflux and until it was diagnosed the books were no help on getting her to sleep.

HBOTB was by far the biggest lifesaver for us but those was because she had undiagnosed reflux for 5 weeks and even after that she was a slightly fussy baby. So those techniques were often the only way to calm her down sometimes.

peapine · March 2009

im the odd one out, but of all the books i have read (and ive read basically all of them including the 2 you mention, happiest baby, baby 411, baby whisperer etc) babywise was by far the most helpful. people who have not read the book, should flame the book. it DOES NOT SAY to only feed baby after 3 hours. HCHSH i think was a complete waste. i even returned it. i couldnt read more than a few chapters. its SO unrealistic. Read babywise and implement it, but use your instincts too with a pinch of commensense and i think you will be good to go.

smacb · March 2009

I recommend HCHSB

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