Publisher: Vermilion
Authors: Gina Ford Fiona MacIntyre
List Price: $20.65
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Reviews:
Summary: The nearest thing to baby being born with a handbook!
When I first read the New Contented Little Baby book before my baby was born, I wasn't convinced that the rigidity of the routines would work for me but thought I'd give it a try. When my baby arrived, I was so overwhelmed by the whole experience I quickly abandoned the routines and thought "its not for me". However, at 5 weeks old, our baby all of a sudden became fractious and would not settle at night. In desperation I found myself revisiting the book and started to follow the advice on sleeping and settling and the routines. It worked! Within a few days, our baby was settling easily and sleeping through the night and has done this consistently from 6 weeks old (he is now 5 months). Everyone comments on how contented he is and how calm and confident we are as new parents. I truly believe this book has given me that confidence. Its one of those books which you either love or you hate, there's no inbetween. Gina gives very specific advice which some parents won't like but I have found that other books which give more general advice just leave me feeling unsure that what I'm doing is right. And I found that Gina covers lots of little details too that you don't get from other books. Overall, confidence is the key and this book certainly gives you that. I will certainly be following her advice on weaning, our next major milestone, and am confident Gina's advice will see us through it happily.
Summary: Incredible book for any disciplined mother
I had read all the mixed reviews and I personally chose to go by this book when I had my first child in sept. 05. I put off using the book until my daughter was almost 5 months old mainly because I was so scared it wouldn't work and being a new mother I felt guilty making her cry it out and being so strict but I bit the bullet and followed the routine for a baby 3-4 months old (because we started late). I chose to do this mainly because I kept reading how important a routine is for a baby and my daughter was sleeping horribly, eating at random times etc. I was physically & mentally exhausted and she was becoming a very fussy baby as I now realize was because #1 my milk supply was low and #2 she needed a proper feeding and sleeping routine. I was feeding at the wrong times and allowing naps at times that would affect her night time sleep. With this book I sorted out the feeding issues I had and I also got her to sleep through the night by sticking with it and it took me in all honesty about 4 days. I have to say they were terrible days and nights and I cried just as much as my daughter did listening as she would cry herself to bed but once I knew she was well fed, she just needed the right amount of sleep. My daughter is now 10 months old, she eats incredibly well, she sleeps through the night, she is a happy, healthy baby and she's always pleasant to be around. She isn't cranky because she's on a routine, she doesn't go hungry or thirsty and she is getting the recommended amount of sleep.
I do have to say that this book may not be for everyone because as a parent you have to have self-discipline before you begin with the child. You have to want to follow a routine and know that a child on a routine is a happier child. Parents that allow their children to do as they please, demand-feed, sleep all day - stay awake all night, lack discipline and usually have the kids that cry and wine, don't eat properly, go to bed at rediculous times like 9:00pm or LATER and are generally unpleasant children to be around. I've seen it 100 times and I chose NOT to have a child like that and with this book that's what I have achieved. Thats the long and the short of it.
Summary: Use your brain!
In a world where very few of us are around small children enough to know what is normal/good for sleeping and eating, most of us need guidance. I wanted to know when she should nap, eat, etc. I bought this book looking for schedules, and it was perfect. It met my needs and changed the way I parent.
Now here's the thing, I call Gina Ford the Schedule Nazi, but I mean it in a good way. Use your common sense. Things aren't always going to work on schedule, but both of my children (breastfed exclusively until 13/12 mths respectively)have greatly benefited from regular bedtimes and naptimes. Neither ever required extensive bedtime rituals, crying it out or any of that stuff. When I followed the schedule, they slept well. Period.
BTW, on the breastfeeding, I never found it a problem. My firstborn always nursed at 3-4 hr intervals, and at night from about 8 wks on, I went at least 5-7 hrs without nursing her. Your body adjusts. Sure the first night is hard. Big deal. It never compromised my milk supply, I never supplemented with formula (not once!),and she was always on schedule growth-wise at her check-ups. My 2nd was a mth early so he ate more often as a preemie, but around 6 weeks, he too went on the longer schedule with no problems. His growth has also been fine, and he walked sooner than my daughter.
Overall, some people have a real aversion to schedules. They think children should be allowed to find their own schedule. I think that's the biggest bunch of nonsense I've ever heard. We teach them how to eat, walk, talk, not hit,. . . and the list goes on and on. Why would teaching them how to sleep (at night/naps) and putting them down at set times most beneficial to them be any different than that? Parents know best--not babies. It's ludicrous to think they're born knowing what schedule is best for them. Puh-lease--they know the basics of how to suck, sleep, cry, and defecate/urinate. But that doesn't mean they're even any good at those.
I laugh when people say breastfeeding is natural--that babies know how automatically and so do moms. You've got to be kidding. It's a skill you learn like any other. And it's not always easy to learn or to teach the babies. Why do you think so many women give up breastfeeding? It's b/c they don't know how to do it!
Use the book. Take what you need. I didn't use the food advice as much as I did the sleep stuff. However, I recommend this book to all my friends, along with Babywise.
Good luck, Moms & Dads, and remember there are a number of right ways to do things. Some, however, are easier than others! Don't make things too hard for yourself!
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