On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo, Robert Bucknam (2001)

AS A FIRST TIME MOTHER, I HAD NO IDEA THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND PATIENCE NEEDED FOR A NEWBORN. NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP DUE TO ALL THE CRYING, I WAS OUT OF CONTROL, WITH THE HELP OF A FRIEND, WHO USED THIS BOOK, I WAS ABLE TO GET MY BABY ON A SCHEDULE AND GET SOME NEEDED SLEEP. I'VE USED THIS BOOK ON OVER 15 BABIES NOW, ALL OF MY CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILY & FRIEND'S CHILDREN. WE HAVE ALL HAD GREAT RESULTS, IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF WORK IN THE BEGINNING,BUT THE LIFELONG REWARDS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WITH ANY TYPE OF CHILD. BABIES LOVE CONSISTENCE & SAME ROUTINE EVERYDAY. AND ALL THE BABIES DID BEGIN TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT BY EIGHT WEEKS. (8 TO 10 HOURS A NIGHT). BOTH PARENTS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK, IF NOT POSSIBLE THEN ONE SHOULD INFORM THE OTHER WHAT THE GOALS ARE. SUPPORT IS NEEDED FROM SPOUSES AND LOTS OF PRAYER. IT IS ALL WORTH IT AT THE END.

I bought this book thinking it would give me a good suggestion for my son's next change in schedule, but it did not. It's not nearly as long as the first one though. It was an okay buy but I probably don't really need it like I thought I did. I'm not a strict follower of Baby Wise, but I do incorporate some of their philosophies. I'm glad I bought it at a discount price rather than full price.

I loved the methods set by the Ezzos. I have 3 sons and they all thrived on this method. They all ate well and slept through the night on schedule. This material gave me the confidence that I needed to establish a great routine for my children.

I don't like the Baby Wise concept at all. As a matter of fact in some cases in can even be detrimental to establishing a good milk supply for the breast feeding mother. Babies especially in the first few weeks aren't meant to be on a schedule. We as adults may have set time for meals, but we snack or have a drink or sip as we please, why deprive a newborn of the same thing? This little human needs to triple his/her weight in 1 year. Think about what you would have to do in order to do the very same thing! As to sleeping, babies like us are all different. Most are used to mom's rocking like activity during pregancy to putting them to sleep. So they do tend to be more wakeful at night, when mom is quiet. What was baby like during your pregnancy? Now you suddenly expect him/her to act as YOU want. Give this new life a break. Gently and at your on pace you can turn things around. Make those night feedings just that. No or little light,or talking. Feed,change only if needed, swaddle then back to bed. Don't let this book be your gospel on child care.