Baby Wise

Anyone following the advice of the book "On Becoming Baby Wise?" My daughter is almost 3 months and I started a couple weeks ago. Her sleeping habits have improved along with her daytime fussiness. Just curious how it's going for others. Complaints, successes, suggestions.

Sorry, I dont read or follow those books. If it is working for you then I think that is great.

Quoting my lipgloss b poppin':“ Sorry, I dont read or follow those books. If it is working for you then I think that is great.”

I haven't followed some of the advice given, but I've certainly noticed a considerable change in my daughter. Before I couldn't put her down for a minute without her wailing and being needy. Now she is so much more content.

I've only heard negative things about that book   I have chosen not to read it... but, if it works for you  

i don't know if you know about all the drama that happened around ezzo's babywise books in the 90's. basically he's a right wing christian minister who runs a for-profit 'parenting ministry'. the babywise books are secular versions of the christian parenting books his ministry published with all the biblical references removed. there is a lot of advice in his books that completely contradicts current research on breastfeeding, infant/parent attachment and infant sleep. the american academy of pediatrics issued an alert saying that the type of feeding schedule he advocates has been associated with poor weight gain, weight loss and failure to thrive in babies and loss of milk supply in mums. i think that in more recent revised editions of the books he's toned it down a bit in response to the AAP's criticisms, but i can't imagine wanting to take any advice from this guy. here's an article (it's long) on all that stuff: http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/199...06feature.html

Quoting soundgrrl:“ i don't know if you know about all the drama that happened around ezzo's babywise books in the 90's. ... [snip!] ... advice from this guy. here's an article (it's long) on all that stuff: http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/199...06feature.html”

Thanks for that - it sums up all I've heard but couldnt recall off the top of my head!

Quoting June's Mommy:“ Anyone following the advice of the book "On Becoming Baby Wise?" My daughter is almost 3 months and I ... [snip!] ... have improved along with her daytime fussiness. Just curious how it's going for others. Complaints, successes, suggestions.”

Hi June's Mommy

I used it and it worked wonders for us.

I'm aware of the controversy surrounding the book - apparently there was an older version out that was more rigid, but the updated version is more flexible.

We had the updated version, and tried introducing it at around 8 weeks because my daughter just seemed unsettled most of the time and wouldn't nap well during the day, anyway after using some of the suggestions (mainly for sleeping and feeding) she seemed to be so much more contented and really slept well.

Again, it's not going to suit every parent and baby, but it worked for us. I think it's important for parents to adopt the best method in caring for their own baby.

How is it going for you now, sorry I realise that you posted in Jan? But am interested in your feedback.

So what exactly are the standards and practices of 'baby wise'? I'm not familiar at all. If no one wants to take the time to explain it to me, I'll happily take a good website for it! Thanks!

Babywise advice linked to dehydration, failure to thrive


by Matthew Aney, M.D.
Expectant parents often fear the changes a new baby will bring, especially sleepless nights. What new parent wouldn't want a how-to book that promises their baby will be sleeping through the night by three to eight weeks?
One such book, On Becoming Babywise, has raised concern among pediatricians because it outlines an infant feeding program that has been associated with failure to thrive (FTT), poor weight gain, dehydration, breast milk supply failure, and involuntary early weaning. A Forsyth Medical Hospital Review Committee, in Winston-Salem N.C., has listed 11 areas in which the program is inadequately supported by conventional medical practice.The Child Abuse Prevention Council of Orange County, Calif., stated its concern after physicians called them with reports of dehydration, slow growth and development, and FTT associated with the program. And on Feb. 8, AAP District IV passed a resolution asking the Academy to investigate "Babywise," determine the extent of its effects on infant health and alert its members, other organizations and parents of its findings.
I have reviewed numerous accounts of low weight gain and FTT associated with "Babywise" and discussed them with several pediatricians and lactation consultants involved.
The book's feeding schedule, called Parent Directed Feeding (PDF), consists of feeding newborns at intervals of three to three and one-half hours (described as two and one-half to three hours from the end of the last 30-minute feeding) beginning at birth. Nighttime feedings are eliminated at eight weeks.
This advice is in direct opposition to the latest AAP recommendations on newborn feeding (AAP Policy Statement, "Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk," Pediatrics, Dec. 1997): "Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger. Newborns should be nursed approximately eight to 12 times every 24 hours until satiety."
Although demand feeding is endorsed by the Academy, WHO, and La Leche League among others, "Babywise" claims that demand feeding may be harmful and outlines a feeding schedule in contrast to it. The book makes numerous medical statements without references or research, despite that many are the antitheses of well-known medical research findings. In 190 pages, only two pediatric journals are referenced with citations dated 1982 and 1986.
Many parents are unaware of problems because the book is marketed as medically supported. It is co-authored by pediatrician Robert Bucknam, M.D., who not only states in the book that the "Babywise" principles are "medically sound," but also writes, "'Babywise' has brought a needed reformation to pediatric counsel given to new parents." Obstetrician Sharon Nelson, M.D., also warns: "Not following the principles of "Babywise" is a potential health concern."
The book's other author is Gary Ezzo, a pastor with no medical background. Ezzo's company, Growing Families International (GFI), markets the book as "ideally written" for "obstetricians, pediatricians, or health-care providers to distribute to their patients." (GFI promotes the same program under the title "Preparation for Parenting," a virtual duplicate with added religious material).
Though "Babywise" does say, "With PDF, a mother feeds her baby when the baby is hungry," it also instructs parents to do otherwise. In a question-and-answer section, parents of a 2-week-old baby, who did not get a full feeding at the last scheduled time and wants to eat again, are instructed that babies learn quickly from the laws of natural consequences. "If your daughter doesn't eat at one feeding, then make her wait until the next one."
Unfortunately, the schedule in "Babywise" does not take into account differences among breastfeeding women and babies. According to one report, differences of up to 300 percent in the maximum milk storage capacity of women's breasts mean that, although women have the capability of producing the same amount of milk over a 24-hour period for their infants, some will have to breastfeed far more frequently than others to maintain that supply. Babies must feed when they need to, with intervals and duration determined according to a variety of factors in temperament, environment, and physiological make-up. Averages may fit into a bell-shaped curve, but some babies will require shorter intervals. (Daly S., Hartmann P. "Infant demand and milk supply, Part 2. The short-term control of milk synthesis in lactating women." Journal of Human Lactation; 11; (1):27-37).
Examples of the many other unsubstantiated medical claims in "Babywise" include:

• "Lack of regularity [in feeding intervals] sends a negative signal to the baby's body, creating metabolic confusion that negatively affects his or her hunger, digestive, and sleep/wake cycles."
• "Demand-fed babies don't sleep through the night."
• "A mother who takes her baby to her breast 12, 15, or 20 times a day will not produce any more milk than the mom who takes her baby to breast six to seven times a day."
• "Mothers following PDF have little or no problem with the let down reflex, compared to those who demand-feed."
• "Colic, which basically is a spasm in the baby's intestinal tract that causes pain, is very rare in PDF babies but is intensified in demand-fed babies."
• "In our opinion, much more developmental damage is done to a child by holding him or her constantly than by putting the baby down. In terms of biomechanics alone, carrying a baby in a sling can increase neck and back problems, or even create them."
• "Some researchers suggest that putting a baby on his or her back for sleep, rather than on the baby's tummy, will reduce the chance of crib death. That research is not conclusive, and the method of gathering supportive data is questionable."

My review of the low weight gain and FTT accounts associated with "Babywise" revealed several disturbing trends. Parents were often adamant about continuing with the feeding schedule, even when advised otherwise by health care professionals. They were hesitant to tell their physicians about the schedule, making it difficult to pinpoint the cause for the weight gain problems. Many elected to supplement or wean to formula rather than continue breastfeeding at the expense of the schedule. The parents' commitment can be especially strong when they are using the program for religious reasons, even though numerous leaders within the same religious communities have publicly expressed concerns.
Pediatricians need to know about "Babywise" and recognize its potential dangers. History taking should include questions to determine if parents are using a feeding schedule, especially before advising formula supplement to breastfeeding mothers or when faced with a low-gaining or possible failure to thrive baby. Lactation consultants also should be instructed to probe this area.
Efforts should be made to inform parents of the AAP recommended policies for breastfeeding and the potentially harmful consequences of not following them.


Dr. Aney is an AAP candidate fellow based in Lancaster, Calif.

So I just read the whole article in that link some one listed...WOW! I can tell that the woman who wrote it is extremely biased against babywise, as some of the things she said weren't factual (for instance, 2 week olds aren't capable of producing tears, so lack of tears is not a sign of dehydration...) but it is still pretty mind boggling to know that parents are following these stringent practices for their babies and believing that it is safe! Why would you want to hurt your baby? And myoldest child is 2 1/2, there is no way she could clean up after herself if she had a potty accident, thats just rediculous. I'd love to hear from more parents who are using this program...I'm interested in hearing how its working for you and why you think it is the best form of parenting!

So I know I'm basically talking to myself here, but I am REALLY intrigued by this whole thing...this is something I just read on wikipedia -

Gary Ezzo has come under fire for giving medical advice, though he is not a doctor or in any way related to the health care field. He has been excommunicated from his original church due to his extreme views of child-rearing. His own children do not speak to him as a result of their childhoods.

Now if that isn't something to think about, I dunno what is!

Hi again

As I said there is some controversy surrounding the book.

But the book (the updated version) isn't as strict as these reports make it out to be (not sure if they're referring to the original version though??), but the Babywise book states to feed your baby when your baby is hungry, never let your baby go hungry, so there should never be any need for a baby to become dehydrated.

I think it may work for some parents, but others will be better suited to other forms of parenting, every child is different and each of us knows our children better than anyone else. We certainly found it very helpful.

I had never heard of all the drama behind the book until now. I was referred this book before I gave birth to my first baby and didn't think much of it until she was about 4 months and was very fussy and we couldn't do anything to soothe her. We borrowed the book from a friend and started to start a schedule. I remember reading the first few chapters and thinking there was some weird things about it, but I was already past those first few months so I didn't really read it that well. I just mainly followed how to get them on a schedule. I know from experience that children love routine and that is in fact what my little girl needed. Now, I didn't go so far as to schedule her feedings. When she was hungry I fed her and if she needed a longer nap I let her. As far as the feedings go I remember the book advising to stick to 3 main meal times, which we did that anyways and then to add smaller bottles in between. My daughter is now 2 and we are reading the Toddler Wise book. It is mainly about sticking to a routine and about making rules and sticking to them. I have personally found the book to be very helpful. With everything you read, there are going to be things you will relate to and that will work and somethings you know will never work with your family.