Baby Wise - Hesperia,CA

Babywise worked great for me and several people I know. What I would recommend that is even better is www.3daysleep.com. Get Davis video. She has the BEST schedule/eating/sleep tips for babies. She is amazing. You find what's best for 'you.' Good luck! :)

Follow bits and pieces of it that work for you. I fed on demand at the beginning then went to a schedule. Think long term. The book works, my son slept through the night at 4w.

Dear D.,
This book was suggested to me by a good friend. I read the book, tried the method, and stressed myself and my baby out for a week. This methodology did not fit my personality or my baby AT ALL! We were both such a mess that I swore I would NEVER suggest this book to anyone and actually threw it in the trash! (I am a collector of books and throwing a book away is close to being a sin to me... in this case... I had no problem!)

The important message here is find something that works for you! Don't feel that you HAVE to do anything one certain way. No baby or mother is alike!
Love,
J.

I'm double majoring in psych & nursing. In BOTH programs, at least once a year, a notice goes out about this particular book/series of books: Avoid Like the Plague, and educate your patients and clients to avoid it like the plague.

The number of infant deaths (typically failure to thrive) associated with this book is absolutely appalling. In every case when a child dies there are interviews at the hospital with a social worker/counselor. I don't have the numbers readily available (which is a pain, but we're with family over the holidays. In one of my earlier posts, I think I have the numbers on there, around a year ago ... mamasource still doesn't have a search option, which drives me nuts). In addition to the horrifying number of deaths, there are also multiple other traumas (brain injury, etc) that are directly correlated to the book. The correlations are made from both the exit interviews, where the distraught parents explained that they "had just been following what the book (babywise) said to do", "had done exactly as Babywise had blah blah blah:... and from critical examination of what the books says to do, versus what parents said the book says to do.

Even without the numbers, the fact that two entirely different schools, within the U... as well as all of the schools my friends have gone to... have made it a point to add to the curriculum to avoid this book in particular (in my six years, it's the only book I've ever been warned about)... says something.

So too, the actual author has neither experience nor education in child rearing or healthcare. The pediatrician (new grad) wrote the forward, and that's it. It's protected though (as are bomb manuals like the Anarchists Handbook) under the 1st amendment. It will never be pulled from the shelves no matter how much harm it causes.

The thing is though, just from flipping through it in class, while it's not my personal parenting style... it doesn't SOUND so terrible. A lot of the stuff in it sounds fairly reasonable. Which apparently, therein lies the real danger. It doesn't sound terrible (although I am a HUGE proponent of feeding on demand, for both physiological & psychological benefit), yet babies and young children are dieing because of the practices it teaches. Yowza. Then of course, I read the books in detail, and the whole idea of spanking infants as young as 2 months old, "isolation" punishments for hours at a time, and citing that we should ignore our baby's cries of pain, because god ignored Christ's pain as he was crucified, how to inflict pain without leaving visible marks, plus a whole lot more...was just rather revolting.

So avoid, avoid, avoid like the plague.

*** I went online, to try and find the statistical data (no dice yet), but found a couple websites, you might want to look at (obviously anyone can post anything online, but I don't have my school references to give you)

http://www.ezzo.info/Articles/bw2001review.htm

http://www.salon.com/life/feature/1998/08/cov_06feature.html

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/marchweb-only/3-...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babywise

So consider yourself duely warned, & Best of Luck to you & your new family!!!
R

I have very strong feelings about this book and its approach to regulating babies. Please do your research. There is no reason you cannot get your baby on a schedule without such drastic denial of basic needs. Most babies will do this with very little direction. Please do not deny your baby milk when she/he needs it. It's biological and instinctual, and all parents should cue into their babie's needs and meet them. Otherwise, the result is an emotionally and mentally stunted human being.

My 2 cents, after navigating through different "approaches". I am grateful to a wise Mama who gently guided me in a constructive way.

Best,

S.

Hi D.. I wanted to say first You are not alone!! My son (as many others can also relate to) kept me up all day and night. He is super high needs even at 22 months. Most of his early troubles boiled down to food allergies (which he was reacting to via my milk)
anyway I wanted to share an article from Dr Sears that describes "the otherside" of the babywise way of thinking.

In the end you must do what works for you and your little baby. If it works for both of you then it's right. My thought on scheduled feedings is this: when you, as an adult, are hungry, you generally eat something to satisfy that need for food. Think how difficult it would be for you if though hungry and food was readily available, someone stood in front of you with a timer and said "ah ah no I'm sorry D., it's not time to eat yet". Now think of how a baby who can't understand any reason or logic would feel... Only you can decide if it's best but put yourself in your baby's shoes before choosing. What ever it is has to be right for you AND baby.

Ok here's the link. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t051200.asp#T051205

I did not read this book but my mom and my husband, who both studied child development and work with young children say that the methods used by babywise are VERY bad for children. Love, attention and responding to baby's needs are what builds healthy, strong children. I know of noone who has used baby wise successfully.

I would seriously think about it before you try this. Put yourself in your baby's shoes...how would you feel being fed only when "allowed"...being left alone to cry yourself to sleep...etc. It doesn't seem natural, does it? What a way to be welcomed to the world!

It's your choice of course, but please consider very carefully before you begin this.

Good Luck!

Dear D.,

I advise to read and re-read and re-read again the post by the first responder, Riley. There is little more I could add.
Except that when I find this book in thrift stores I buy it, take it home and burn it.
There are so many other good books out there that offer much better advice. Like E. Pantley's book on baby sleep...if that is what concerns you. Although remember the definition of "sleeping through the night" as known in pediatric circles is 5 hours. If you were hoping for 10 or 12 forget it.
Good luck!

HATE this book, would ban it if I could!! I threw it across the room & ranted & raved to my husband when I read it 13 years ago, while nursing my 2 month old. As a new, sleep deprived mother, I KNOW you want/need your sleep, but Your baby needs you to feed on demand--EVEN at night--ESPECIALLY at her age!

Okay, rant over...contact your local Le Leche League or Adult School Parenting Classes & start to make friends with other moms in your area with babies your baby's age. You'll find moms of all stripes, with lots of experience they are just dying to relate to someone! SOME of it will work for you & your wonderful, miracle baby! Good Luck!

I have posted this before, with some minor changes...

Hi D. and other Moms who have come across this unfortunate book.

Please, please take the time to read the link regarding Babywise and it's authors (http://www.ezzo.info/babywise.htm). At the hospital where I had my son, I received an actual flier warning parents about this book. According to the flier, the husband of the husband/wife author team, Gary Ezzo, "holds neither an associate nor a bachelor's degree from any college; his master of arts degree in Christian Ministry includes credit for life experience. (The wife) Anne Marie worked only briefly as an R.N. decades ago."

This book is a secularized repackaging of their religious based "teachings" and their original church, as well as a subsequent church they were involved with, have publicly distanced themselves from them.

Here is a quote from the website: "The Ezzos sought refuge at a church pastored by a friend who was involved in their organization, but within a few years even this church had excommunicated them. Their accounting firm dropped them. Their adult children cut off contact with them. The publisher of Ezzo's secular books, Multnomah, returned publishing rights to him following an investigation of alleged medical misinformation and character problems. Leaving their estranged children and grandchildren in California, the Ezzos moved across country to South Carolina. Their secular and church-based lines of books are now self-published."

The books are SELF published, the Ezzos have NO training in child development, psychology, breastfeeding OR pediatric medicine and the real experts in those fields have roundly criticized their methods. Their methods have not been shown by the medical or the professional psychology community to be safe and may also be dangerous for some vulnerable babies. And, really, how successful must their parenting have been if they have no relationship with their own children or grandchildren?!

Yes, there are good things in this book, but ALL of that good advice can be found in other reputable baby books.

In regards to the sleeping issue, if you want a balanced approach (between higher parental control and on-demand parenting), I found "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth to be very helpful. I cherish my cuddle time with my child, so plopping him in the crib and leaving just wouldn't work for me, but we have always put him down "sleepy," not "asleep." I believe that this helps him to know what to do when he wakes during the night. As for a "schedule," I'd advocate a "routine" rather than a strict schedule. I think there is benefit in having a pattern of daily activities that your baby can learn to predict. Sleep followed by eating followed by playtime (or whatever works for your baby--and you to some extent, but mainly for your baby). You'll find that over time, you can gently nudge your baby's schedule/routine to be more convenient. I also recommend Happiest Baby on the Block. Works wonders the first few months.

Good luck with your new little one.

I have never scheduled my children for various reasons most of which are because you and your baby have a symbiotic relationship and the more you can stay connected to them the better you will be able to care fpr them. As babies develop they will establish their own routine that are appropriate to the rythms of their own bodies. Imposing a structure onto them does not allow you to truly meet their needs. They are people and unfortuately they are not nearly as convienent as we would like them to be.
Listen to your instincts as a mother. Of course you must do what works best for your family just keep in mind no grown up lives on an exact schedule and babies' rythms and needs can change on a daily basis. I have also heard that a study showed babies failing to thrive on that program.
Good luck. I wish you sleep.

my friend did the "Baby Wise" thing and her daughter was right on schedule but she never let her fall asleep in her arms or anyones arms for that matter, did not feed on demand. i dont know but they dont seem as connected. she told she wished she had only used the book as a guide because she missed out on several things. she was really pressured to do it by her doctor and her husband. her daughter is not a real hugger or cuddler. not sure if that has to do with the use of the book or not. i did it the old fashion way, trial and error. lol. good luck and congrats on your new baby

This is from a old response I had. Your baby needs you. Babies do not sleep thru the night. They need food for there growing safely and healthy for their brain etc. Please take care of your baby baby can not do anything for him/herself. Your baby is hungry please feed him. He is still a baby and needs to be fed on demand. My son woke up every 2 hours to eat at this age. He can be growing now. In that case he needs to eat more often. I was very tired but he's is worth it and babies depend on there mommies to take care of them. As I say the more you meet your babies needs now the more secure he will be later. He needs you. As I was told by a CHOC Dr. you can not spoil a baby. If you look on the left side of the mamasourse page you can see different topics and there are other mom's with the same questions. He needs his mommy now.
R
There is a dvd that shows you how to swaddle and sooth your baby I can't think of the name I will try and look it up and post it on here. Any other mom's know what this dvd is? Be careful not to shake your baby because this could harm or cause major or worse damage to your baby.
This is from a old response I had. Your baby needs you. Babies do not sleep thru the night. They need food for there growing safely and healthy for their brain etc. Please take care of your baby baby can not do anything for him/herself. Your baby is hungry please feed him. He is still a baby and needs to be fed on demand. My son woke up every 2 hours to eat at this age. He can be growing now. In that case he needs to eat more often. I was very tired but he's is worth it and babies depend on there mommies to take care of them. As I say the more you meet your babies needs now the more secure he will be later. He needs you. As I was told by a CHOC Dr. you can not spoil a baby. If you look on the left side of the mamasourse page you can see different topics and there are other mom's with the same questions. He needs his mommy now.
R
There is a dvd that shows you how to swaddle and sooth your baby I can't think of the name I will try and look it up and post it on here. Be careful not to shake your baby because this could harm or cause major or worse damage to your baby.
Happiest baby on the Block Harvey Karp M.D.
What so you other mom's think of this book? Is is on the same topic?

Dear D.:

I read and followed this book almost to a T, and it worked! My little girl started sleeping through the night at 5 weeks (with the help of a pacifier), and has been doing so ever since (she is now 14 months old). The book gives you some time guidelines for how often the baby should eat. During the first 2 months or so, keep an open mind because sometimes the baby needs to eat earlier than normal (for example, during the every 2.5-3 hours routine, about 2 times, she wanted to eat after 2 hours). You just need to go with the flow initially. I know it sounds like scheduling, but it isn't a rigid scheduling; you are still feeding the baby when she is hungry-you are just making sure that she is getting fully meals and training her to sleep through the night!

I think the book is wonderful and gives you excellent advice, such as making sure the baby stays awake and takes in a full meal when nursing). Once my girl turned 4 weeks old, her ped. gave me his blessing to work on sleeping through the night. Good luck!

wow, you got a huge response to this question!!! I haven't read it either, but my babies are both great sleepers (now 11mo and 27mo).

I think the key for us was paying attention to the types of cries and not get baby up if not hungry. That way you feed on demand, but somewhere btwn 2-6 months, you should be weaning her away from middle of the night feedings by waiting and listening before you get her, and then try soothing her w/o milk (pet her belly/head with your hand, whisper, rock her...). You will also know that it is probably not hunger if it was less than 3-4 hours since last feeding.

My first daughter was sleeping 8 hrs at 8 weeks old. My second took longer, but was going 8-10 hours at 5 1/2 months. We also sleep in separate rooms, so I am not woken by every little noise/cry in their sleep. I am a fan of teaching baby to self-soothe.

Hi D.,
I read through some of the responses, and find it interesting that the people who are so against BabyWise haven't read it! I did demand feeding with my older child and we went through a year of absolute hell with her. She didn't sleep longer than 45 minutes for THE ENTIRE YEAR. She was super cranky and I was an absolute wreck. I had several friends who could just put their babies down for a nap or for for the night, and baby would contentedly drift off to sleep, and sleep through the night! I asked all of them what they were doing to achieve that, and every last one said BabyWise. So for my second child, I bought the book and read it. I am here to tell you, IT WORKS.

Here's the thing, The book does NOT advocate denying your child anything. It is not cold or uncaring like many other posters seem to think. Very simply, the idea is this: you need to structure your baby's day in such a way that is conducive to good eating and good sleeping! In other words, instead of feeding your baby every time she cries (like the demand-feeding crowd told me to do with baby #1), with baby #2, I would feed her a big, full meal, followed by some play time (NOT sleeping!). After play time, she would sleep. When she woke up, it was feeding time again. I kept all of our activities to about the same time every day, so she would know what to expect. Simple, right? It made a HUGE difference for us. Also, with baby #1, I'd been putting her to bed late, thinking that would help her sleep later in the morning. BabyWise advocates an earlier bedtime (around 6 or 6:30). Sure enough, we tried that and soon my 5-week old was sleeping 6pm-6am straight through. She was gaining weight like a champ, and as happy as she could be! I was well-rested, my milk supply was great, life was good.

I mentioned the ideas of BabyWise to my grandmother, who raised 7 children in the 1940's. She laughed at me and said, "Well, that's exactly what we used to do! It's no secret - any mother worth her salt did exactly that back when I was raising my children!" Oh.

So is Babywise a revolutionary book? No, apparently these ideas have been around forever because they work. Basically, YOU need to be in charge of your household. People who are a few months old should not be in charge, because they don't have the experience for the job. =) So you set the schedule and you determine what needs to happen. You and baby will be happier for it, I promise!

Best of luck!

Baby wise saved my life! I had preemie twins on opposite feeding schedules, needless to say I NEVER slept, never had a shirt on, and was on the edge emotionally and physically. They never slept through the night either, and with two of them, both my husband and I felt like we were up around the clock. Just getting them to sleep and eat at the same time made my routine so much easier. It wasn't long before I was getting hours of uninterrupted sleep... ahhhhh1 I think you could use a lot of the principles in the book, even if you choose to still feed on demand. However, I think you'll find that as the baby's activities and sleep patterns develop in a more scheduled fashion, so will her eating habits. Take what the book has with a grain of salt when it comes to feeding. It's full of other great practical advice.

We used the book with both of our kids. It worked very well and both kids slept thru the night from about 8 weeks. Honestly, I don't remember too much about the book any more, our kids are 5 and 4, I just know we did whatever they recomended and it worked!! I do remember it was hard the with the first kid at first, but, we stuck with it and I was very fortunate we did!! To this day we have NEVER had a difficult time with getting our kids to go to sleep and they both always stay in their rooms, they don't try to come into mommy & daddy's room. We did recommend this book to our friends, they didn't follow it and had the HARDEST time getting their child to sleep thru the night. I realize it's a personal decision, good luck.

Personally I would stay far, far away from this book or any of the methods it preaches. Just my opinion. Your baby is so young. Just enjoy this time with her and give her everything she needs. It won't last forever.

Well, it sounds like the pros and cons for *you* will be just as you said. My daughter was very colicky and we tried just about everything. If yours is not, then it's what feels best for you. My daughter did very well on a schedule and it helped me have some sanity. Our schedule was a BF feeding every 3 hours. I personally loved the schedule - especially our 3pm nap together!! :)

I think the only downside to a schedule is if you need to do something off schedule. Then you can have a very grumpy baby.

I read both Baby Wise and Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. I like both these books, but essentially took what made sense to me rather than trying to follow anything to the letter. Helping your baby learn how to sleep is definitely priceless. Mine had a hard time "letting go" in order to go to sleep, and even having read the books, we would rock her to sleep (which some might call a mistake) until very recently (20 months). Now, partly because she has learned how to take naps at daycare (with their efforts), she just wants to be set in her crib to go to sleep.

We used the method of letting her cry for 5 min, then checking (pat, pat, but don't pick her up), then longer, then checking, etc. to help her learn to sleep through the middle of the night. They figure it out. My husband definitely was more able to listen to her cry than I. I mostly just wanted to check to see she was basically ok, (not sick, feverish, wet, etc), and then I was better able to assess that yeah, she just needs to go to sleep.

There is some weight at which you don't worry about them eating in the night and you just let them sleep. I think mine started sleeping through the night (10pm-6am, dropping the 2am feeding, with feedings at bedtime and waking) around 3 months, though I can't actually remember.

You'll get a lot of advice, and some of it will be contradictory. Do what feels right for you and your baby. Look at all the information, and don't let anyone bully you.

good luck!

You have a Newborn.
Per our Pediatrician, it is NOT wise, to put a Newborn on a feeding "schedule." An an infant or any baby, MUST be fed ON-DEMAND.
If a baby is fed according to a "schedule".... the baby will not get enough nutrients, can become dehydrated, have reactive-attachment disorders, be in failure-to-thrive percentiles etc.
AND, when a baby naturally hits growth-spurts.... a baby will not be getting adequate intake that is on par with his/her own growth. BUT, if the baby IS fed On-Demand, a baby will naturally be getting what THEY need... and the nutrition they need, and the proper intake and hydration and nutrients that THEY need.

Books on Sleep training in a baby so young... is not made to benefit the baby. It is about marketing to the Parents.
A baby will naturally hit sleep phases as any normal baby does. They ALL do. No baby will sleep perfectly quiet without waking up like a pre-programmed robot. No adult is like that either.

Per Our Pediatrician: She HATES this book... she says it is not about the baby, it is about the parents and making them think that a waking baby is abnormal. And that putting them on a feeding "schedule", in a baby SO young, is harmful. And that in time, naturally, a baby/child will get into a natural rhythm about sleeping... there is no rush to mandate them to a certain sleep schedule so young. AND each baby is different. No 2 babies sleep the same way. Nor do adults.

Most newborns breast-feed eight to 12 times a day — about every two to three hours. OR less. They NEED to. Every so often, when a baby is especially going through a growth-spurt or developmental change, they may even nurse every single hour. This is NORMAL and is called "cluster feeding." (you can look it up online). But if you feed a baby according to a "schedule" you will not be providing a baby with what THEY need for their development and growth. But, as your girl gets older, your baby may be satisfied with less feedings a day. Eventually your baby will fall into a fairly predictable feeding schedule, taking in more milk in less time at each feeding, as they get better at suckling.

All the best,
Susan

Congrats on your new baby. I too read this book, and alot of it went against my natural instincts. that said, i did attempt to follow the feeding part of it, aiming for every three hours. This was five years ago, and i'm pregnant with number 2, so i wish i could remember more details, because whatever i did worked. i still went thru alot of trial and error, and bumps in the road, but as one poster said, i read a bunch of books and took what made sense to me from each one. The happiest baby on the block was a LIFESAVER! and i also loved secrets of the baby whisperer. At night, my son would be in a deep sleep and i would wake him gently, nurse him, burp him and keep him upright for a bit, then put him back down. you always hear never wake a sleeping baby, and it's hard when all you want to do is sleep but he was and always has been since, an AMAZING sleeper. i agree with many of the other posts that you obviously never let them go hungry, but you don't feed just to soothe them. you want to make sure they get a full meal, so i would really try to avoid letting him fall asleep on the boob! and during the day i would keep him up for generally whatever time was recomended, then put him down for his nap- waking him if i had to for a feeding. sorry this is so rambling but in conclusion, just follow your instincts and aim for some short of schedule, not too rigid, and just try to go with the flow. Good luck!

D.,
Your baby is 7 weeks old. You should always feed on demand. Always. She doesn't need a sleep schedule right now. You might want her to have one, but it's not what is best for her. She'll sleep when her body tells her to. My best advice for an infant as young as yours is to go with the flow. You'll be tired, as I'm sure you are, but the human body is a complicated and wonderful thing and just let things progress naturally on their own timetable and clock at this point. Congratulations to you and best of luck.

I did not put either of my children on feeding schedules. Now that my daughter is older, she does have a feeding routine but when she was a baby she was fed on demand(my son is the same way). I started a nap schedule around 4-5 months old because I believe sleep is very important. My daughter didn't sleep thru the night until she was around 1 and my son is only 6 months so he hasn't slept thru the night yet. I would suggest you check out the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby by Weissbluth.
YOU have to do what is right for your child. If you want to feed on demand-then do it. But don't expect a 7 week old to sleep thru the night.

I personally don't think you need this book to help your baby sleep through the night (which I also agree with previous poster that a minimum of 5 hours at a stretch is considered "sleeping through the night") or get them on a schedule. I have twins and a toddler (currently breastfeeding twins and toddler was bf for one year), never read the book (nor do I ever plan to as I have to agree with all the other posters who don't condone the book), and they have slept through the night by two months and was able to get my days STRUCTURED yet be somewhat flexible to accommodate feedings on demand, etc. I've used the help of books by Pantley and Sears not to mention my own maternal gut instinct. I, too, have heard so many negative feedback on the Babywise book that I just had to read what everyone else responded with to your request and sure enough, I wasn't surprised to see more of it said here. Enough said. :)

I'm pretty sure that most of the sleep training programs say to wait until baby is at least 3 months old.

Keep feeding on demand at least until then, your milk supply is still situating itself and if you go on a schedule your baby won't be able to regulate her feeding needs.

I read and followed this book. My son is now 18 months. He has been an excellent eater from the beginning. He slept 12 hours a night from the time he was 11 weeks old and has done so ever since. I am 6 months pregnant now and plan on following it again with this child.

Hi D.,
I'm sure you'll quickly find out by asking the question that there is a LOT of controversy behind this book. So as with all advise you get, consider it and in the end do what you need to do. I actually didn't even realize the book had so much controversy until after I had successfully used it with my daughter.
I babysat for a family in college and was amazed at how well behaved their kids were. I knew when they had #2 that they had him on a rigid sleep schedule but I didn't understand the details of it until later. When I was pregnant with my first baby I asked her for her "secret" and she sent me the book. I read the first chapter and was hooked. It is all about how you are a family before the baby is born and it's important to be a family after the baby is born. They are not the center of your lives they are a strong addition to your family and it's important not to become revolved solely around the child.
I used the theories taught in this book with my daughter and honestly I now swear by the book and intend on using it again with my 2nd baby (on the way). Honestly, the most important thing I gathered from the book is that you help the baby to organize their schedule. You neither demand feed nor schedule feed, it's a hybrid of both. You have a basic schedule that helps you know when it's time to feed them, however it teaches you the flexibility to feed them earlier or later based on the cues you get from your baby. Basically if they normally eat every 3 hours but it's only been 2 and they are starving - you feed them!! The 2 most important concepts to help this process work are the fact that you help them eat full meals when they eat (you try to encourage them not to snack - maybe this is where the "horror stories" come from?? I don't know - It was never an issue with me!) and then 2nd concept is that you organize their schedule in a way that they sleep, they wake up and eat right away, then have a period of awake time then they go to sleep. You never feed them to sleep. This is why I think it's so successful because at least for us, this is how my daughter learned to put herself to sleep which I think is the key. She is now 3 and 1/2 and has always been a good sleeper and is still a good sleeper. She puts herself to sleep always. No rocking to sleep, no staying in her room, etc. She lays down and she goes to sleep.
The process evolves as your baby grows. I know you said your daughter is 7 weeks old and I'm not sure how easy it is to move into this method (we started at birth) but I do know there is a chapter about starting later. Basically with a newborn you don't work around a schedule. You just encourage them to eat full meals whenever they eat. As they get older you can begin working on some of the concepts.
For us, at 6 weeks of age my daughter slept 6 hours a night and by 3 months old she was sleeping 10 hours a night. Honestly I don't know how moms that have 5, 6, 7 month or even much older babies waking up in the middle of the night every night!
Anyway, you can buy the book used for a couple of bucks on www.half.com so I would really encourage you to get it and at least look at it and consider it. The best thing about being mom is that you get to decide what is right with you and your daughter. If you asked me I would strongly encourage it! :)

My husband & I read the book since it came recommended to us when I was pregnant. My husband thought it was the greatest book since sliced bread, but I HATED the book! I read it from cover to cover and tried the techniques on my son and it was awful!! My son would cry and cry because he was hungry but I could not feed him yet because we were on a schedule...how ridiculous!
I ended up scrapping the "Baby Wise" book and would have burned the thing if I had the chance! My husband could tolerate hearing our son cry endlessly but I could NOT.

I ended up listening to my baby and doing what "felt" like the right thing to do. If he was hungry, I fed him. If he was tired, I let him sleep. He ended up getting into a routine after a few months and when he was about 12-months old we got him on a regular schedule with nap-times, etc. But as an infant, he was not trying to be "manipulative" or "difficult", he just wanted lots of love, food & sleep! Why would I deprive my child of that??

There's plenty of time to get your child on a schedule...I would not "rush" into it. Also, when I took a parenting class at the local hospital (Torrance Memorial), the instructors vehemently despised "Baby Wise". And I don't blame them.

You should read it and see if it "feels" ok or not. It didn't work with me & my son. Best of luck to you & remember there is plenty of time to get your child on a schedule. Also, there is a really good book by Dr. Sears called the "Sleep Book", it's very good and the techniques are compassionate towards infant & parent!

Reading that book caused me a lot of stress with my first child, even though a good friend recommended it and it worked for her.

I would recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc WEissbluth as a more balance approach that allow you to meet the needs of a newborn and feed on demand while still providing good guidance on moving towards good sleep habits.

The book jumps around a lot and is a bit difficult to read, but worth taking a look at.

Firm believer, here!! I read Babywise and although I didn't follow everything to the last detail, I did the basics (up, diaper change, feed, awake time, back down) and this taught my daughter how to put herself to sleep. At 5 weeks she slept thru the night for the first time and at 8 weeks it was consistent. I haven't had to wake up one time with her since and she is 2 now! She is a great sleeper, very self confident, and a pleasure to be around. Once she was sleeping thru the night we got on a schedule and we are still on a schedule which makes me happy and her happy. She knows when to expect her next meal, snack, nap, etc. which means no unexplained crying and I never have to try to figure out what's wrong with her. When I had to be gone for a few days for a funeral, I was able to leave a detailed schedule for my husband and this kept things on track, and made his life and hers much easier....no stress. Seriously, I can't praise BW enough. Read it. Take from it the parts you want, use them and see what you think. Best of luck!!

I read the book and used it for my daughter who is now 2 years old. She was sleeping through the night at 1 month old and the scheduled feedings aren't what you would think. It's called "parent directed" feedings and it leaves room for flexibility and feeding when you think your child is having a growth spurt. Our daughter has always been healthy, a very good weight, and so carefree and happy. And she naps well too! I would suggest reading it and deciding for yourself. :) The cons would be that you have to have a dedicated personality and stick through the first months of being consistent. there is a blog called chronicles of a babywise mom that's great for learning about it. Wish you well!

P.S. The negative responders on here haven't read this book properly. On the babywise "schedule" you do feed your baby during the night, especially when she's a newborn.

Read it and LOVED IT! Both my girls were raised this way and my 10yr old was sleeping all night, with one 4 am feeding at 2 months, and my 3 yr old was sleeping all night with one 5am feeding at 3 months, both at 12 hours and 2 good naps by at least 4 months. The thing is, you never ever starve your kid, you get a routine going so you know WHY she is crying, and not have to pop in the boob/bottle over every little cry. It empowers you, by allowing you the freedom to say, ok, my kid just ate, I have 2-3 hours before her next feeding, I can run to the store, or I can soothe her with a bath. And honestly, babies that sleep so well are so much happier, minimal fussing. It's just a helpful cycle, not a torturous, rigid diet. You will be so happy once your daughter and you get settled into it, though it does take some work in the beginning and you will always use your book to refer back to the different stages of development. Anyway, good luck, and if nothing else, just learn to not feed her to sleep, so she can learn how to do that. Anyway, good luck, and congratulations! (btw, both of my sisters used this book on their 6 babies, at different levels of timeliness due to their individual needs, and we all have very happy, very smart, very easygoing, very well adjusted children who are still great sleepers!)

Oh, and the comment about spanking and hurting your baby is B.S. I've read the book a million times, and there is no such thing. I guess we all get what we want to get out of it, negative or positive.

Hi, I read it and it has some great ideas, but my Pediatrician said you never start to sleep train until the baby is at least 15 pounds or Four months..so I would hold off until that time since they still need the milk and need to be fed on demand during their growing spurts.. hope that helps.. Good luck!

I read it when I was pregnant with my first, but we decided it just wasn't right for us. We have a set bedtime and once they got older somewhat set nap times, but I've always nursed my kids on demand...

Babywise just didn't seem to allow me to be the mom I wanted to be...some people have lots of success by it and swear by it, but it wasn't for us. Honestly, neither was the Attachment parenting either...we're kind of hybrid, just doing what feels best to us and works with us and our kids.

Good luck and congrats!

-M

Hey D.,
I have read all of the Baby Wise books as well as all the What to Expect books. I think a lot of the information is excellent and helps keeps parents sane. However, when it comes to feeding your baby and putting her on a schedule, you will want to watch her signs carefully to see if when she cries (late at night or early AM) if she is truly hungry or just needing pacification. I don't think the book was specific enough in how to recognize the difference. A great book to help with recognizing those signs is Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. If you choose to use the Baby Wise series I would recommend this book in conjunction with the others. Also, the Happiest Baby on the Block has some good information in regards to consoling an unconsoleable baby.

My girlfriends Pediatrician BEGGED her not to do it...she has a great DR. so that should tell you the most about it.
I didn't do any of that, we just stuck to a VERY strict sleeping schedule (in bed at 6:30, always home for naps etc) and my 4 year old daughter has been sleeping 12-13 hours nights for 2-3 years! We are off naps now, but when we did them they were 3-4 hours also. There are better ways.

Hi D.,
I have another on-line book called "The Sleep Sense Program". This was a great book and gave me the tools to change my families bad habits. It is worth reading if you have a child with sleep issues. The author gives several different ways to help your child sleep through the night.
Your baby however, is so young and doesn't need a sleep schedule right now. You have to feed her at least every 2-4 hours. Here is my email address if you are interested in the book. ____@____.com
M.

I read the book and applied it and my daughter is 22 months. She is such a happy child! getting your child on a schedule is healthy! We like to know when we will be waking up , eating, going out..you will not be depriving your child! And feeing them on a schedule actually decreases their chances of obesity. it regulates their metabolism. The book suggest to feed them ever 2-3 hrs..then as they get older to move it to a 3-4 hour schedule. It also teaches your baby to learn how to fall asleep on their own-not w a bottle (or breast) so when they are 1 and 2 they know when its time for bed...my daughter actually know when its nap time and ask to go to bed...it makes it easier for us and for others who will be taking are for her. There is no guessing game..oh is she hungry...sleepy...no, you will say, "Oh it s 3 pm she needs a nap". My babysitters praised me for having her on a schedule and love watching her. Do what you feel is right..you are the mama. I did not follow the book to a T but I did follow with what I felt would help. its an easy read so @ least read it for yourself and do what you feel it right!

Obviously everyone will have their own opinion...I did Baby Wise and love it and it worked for us. My daughter was sleeping thru the night at 8 weeks old 6:30pm-6:30am and naps during the day. She is now 20 months old and still sleeps 6:30pm - 6:30 am and takes one afternoon nap. I just my second daugther (5 days old) and pland to use the Baby Wise methods again when she gets a little older :)

I haven't read it, but the lactation consultant who also taught my labor class said to avoid it like the plague. I guess it subscribes to some pretty extreme ideals that are not good for babies. IMHO 7 weeks old is young to impose a schedule. I never imposed a schedule on my baby (who is 10m now) and it worked itself out. Your baby probably won't be sleeping through the night completely for a few more months. But this is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth.