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Parenting after a Loss
Does anyone follow "Baby Wise"
Just curious...I have a friend who does and she highly recommended it.
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Re: Does anyone follow "Baby Wise"
I've read it and like some of the principles, but it doesn't work as good for formula feeders. And, every baby is different and I don't think it works for all babies.
I had a friend who raved about it, how her kids slept thorught he night at 6 weeks, etc, but I still think it is best to feed when they are hungry.
I did feed her every two hours at the beginning, then stretched it to three hours. It's Eat, Awake, Sleep, every three hours for her during the day. Now at night she goes to bed at 9pm and sleeps till 7am (only wakes up once during the night and not every night.)
I actually read it and wanted to follow it, but I could put myself or my DD through CIO from day 1. I ended up using aspects of it. I did NOT do the CIO aspects. I did use the information about getting your baby on a routine (not schedule). Quick summary: eat as soon as baby wakes up, play/activity time, put down for a nap at the first signs of sleepiness.
Babywise says to just put your baby in the crib and walk away; I swaddle DD, give her the paci, and rock her until she falls asleep. I believe there are other books that help you with the same routine, without advocating CIO... I would recommend those instead.
Somewhat.
For feeding, we do. Bailey since the beginning has eaten every 2.5-3 hours during the day. His last feeding is at 11pm then we let him go at night. I make sure he eats at 8-830am to start his routine so he eats a round 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 11pm. At the beginning he was going from 11pm to 3am to 7am. Right now he's going from 11pm to 6am so I might be switching up the times soon if he keeps doing the 6am feeding.
For wake/sleep, I've learned Bailey doesn't do long naps during the day which is fine b/c he sleeps awesome at night. I keep him awake for at least 30min to 1 hour after eating and we play together. Then I usually get him to sleep either on me, in his crib, pnp in the livivng room or bouncy seat. By 2 weeks I could tell if his cries were hungry or sleepy. He does a grunting/whiney thing when he's sleepy. When he's hungry you know it right by his cry. And usually before he falls asleep he grants/whines for about 2 - 5 minutes.
Now there have been days we've diverted from the schedule but usually by the next feeding he's back on it. To me Babywise is just like everything else you take what you want to use. Most of my friends read and used some part of it with their kids. All their kids are thriving and do very well. I know some people have probelms with this book but I really don't see why once I read it. It doesn't say to let you LO cio but to figure out what he/she needs. I've learned from my LO that not every cry is the same and doesn't mean he's hungry but this is my experience from 7wks.
There are a few things we follow from it, but there are a few things we follow from each type of "parenting book" to be honest. Each baby is different and you are never going to read one book that gives you the exact way you will end up parenting your child. I would encourage you to read more than just Baby Wise and above all, go with your insincts on what your baby needs
Do some research before choosing to follow this book. The AAP has issued a warning against it because following the book's recommendations can lead to "failure to thrive." The people who wrote the book are not doctors, but ministers, it is based in their religion, not medical practice. The criticism I've heard is that the schedule they recommend is too strict for infants.
I'd recommend the Baby Whisperer (Tracy Hogg), I found it very helpful for establishing a routine, not a schedule. Good luck!
Oh, please do your research on this book before you follow it. Yes, it has been revised in the past few years, but like the PP said, it was written by a minister who believed that all children were willful and needed to be controlled. He has been highly criticized in the medical community (just google it--you'll be busy reading all afternoon). Think of it this way--if you had a question about your baby's health, would you ask your pediatrician or your minister/pastor/rabbi?
If you're up for some excitement, post this question on one of the Babies: boards. You'll get an "earful" or be called a troll, because the it's been flamed over for several years and comes up every now and again.
Ditto kelly&marty....
Personally I found that what worked for us was following DS's lead. Yes, that meant that the first 10-11 weeks or so there wasn't really any set schedule, more of a routine that developed on its own. Starting around 12 weeks his feedings and naps got very regular and predictable. EVery once in awhile something would change - he'd eat more, take one less nap, etc....but that is normal.
Actually the book that was the most helpful and informative to us in the early days was the"90 minute baby sleep program." Its actually nothing that you "do" but it tells you how to identify when your baby is ripe for sleep (and teaches you about baby's natural biorhythms and how to time it out). I was AMAZED at how accurate it was, and i have sent it to several friends who had babies recently and every single one has said it was the most helpful book to them too. To this day Ethan still falls asleep on some multiple of 90 minute intervals...like clockwork. And I never had to do a thing - just follow his cues.
A
I asked this question several months back on this board too before I had Ava ..a friend let me borrow Baby Wise and I read it. Some of the girls on this board recommended Happiest Baby On the Block and I just started reading that and I think I like that better.
Right now Ava is on a routine but she can eat anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on how she feels. I plan to try and incorporate some things from Happiest Baby On the Block once I finish it, I like the steps in it more and would reccomend that one. Keep your options open and trust your instincts