hi all
have been reflecting on your request sherry....its a tough question!
Gina Ford
I have problems with some of her language and tone - its pretty bossy and patronising and because she is so confident its hard not to feel like a failure when you cant get your lo to do what you want. she has the same routine for ALL babies. i also questioned if that was the mothering style i would reflect back on and be happy i chose. BUT i do think she has some good ideas. as clare as shown thats the routine i keep in mind....but i am also a little flexible ie. at the moment lo has a lunch between 1030 and 1130 snacking style - as by 1130 he is to tired to sit in a highchair. so i let him snack. Ford also suggests CIO from a certain age...which i dont like much either....BUT i think the concept is the same as BW - lo HAVE to learn to sleep without props etc. i have done some crying - more the walk in walk out style when i stopped night bottles and a while back with naps when i had to stop rocking him so sleep. i believe in consistancy if you do decide to do any crying...shh/pat or WI/WO...
i think Gina Ford and BW idea of not getting into AP is great as its terrible to make your lo get out of a habit you cant do anymore but you taught them inthe first place.
clare - by end of 3 months GF has 2 hour A time doesnt she?? so sherry, you lo should well and truly be onto 2 hours by 6 months!! according to her!
and by end of 6 months GF A time in the arvo is 2.15pm till 7pm isnt it??? sorry i have lent my book to a friend.
fiona - i find it interesting that you did GF with first but then not with number 2....and noticed A times where too long.
i have read LOTS , prolly too much but at the end of it all - i figure its all much the same: independent sleep - no props, no feeds etc. how u get there is much the same - varying levels of crying, with you there or not.
naps - A times vary, GF has very long A time. but i do keep it in mind - i am very mindful of keeping my lo lunchtime nap the same. even if i have EW my lo has a small nap in the morning and is down for nap 2 by 12. today he woke at 630am so no morning nap - just 1130 nap, so only 1 nap today. other books talk lots about tired cues and similar routines around sleep....
also im not really a fan of the language "babies learn that you will give in" - the language insinuates that babies are manipulative which i think is pretty harsh. babies do what they can to get your attention, i agree, but its from genuine need, not because they are manipulative. Children are People Too by Louise Porter is a fantastic book about treating children with respect and remembering they are people too!!
clare - the sleep stuff i have read only does crying for naps for up to 20 mins and if they are hysterical get them out of their cot?? thats a pretty long day in lo room if you have to stay there??? thoughts?? for bedtime its different.
and then there is the other end of the spectrum and thats the just do wat you like, more of the attachment style parenting - and i think you wouldnt be BW at all if you could sustain this or wanted to! ie. co-sleeping and feeding to sleep, feeding on demand etc.
sorry sherry, prolly more confusing than helpful.
phew! thats all i have to say at the minute! welcome campbellchick!!