Confused about sleep advise

[hairyclarey]

Hi,

I am new to this website and have just finished reading the "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, how to calm, connect and communicate with your baby" book.

I think its a great book with some fantastic advise, reading the posting on here is great too. I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first child and am searching for better ways to settle a new born into the world, this method is just what I've been looking for.

However, I am slightly confused about the sleeping routine though and wondered if anyone can offer any advise...

In the book Tracey talks of her routine for going to sleep, including putting the baby in his/her crib, respecting them and ensuring it is quiet and calm..etc etc.

It doesn't make sense to me that you would want a baby to sleep in such a way unless you are willing to stay at home all day, every day. Also, if a baby is used to quiet and darkness what happens when you are out and about, or something noisy is taking place??
Is this not just a way of creating problems?

This is the only part of the book which has confused me and would be grateful for anybody's story's.

Thanks.

[mari]

Not really.  I think that in the early days most mums are at home with their babies and Tracy suggests getting them into a routine as soon as possible.
If you can get your baby into a routine as soon as possible, then they will become accustomed to this routine and then require sleep at the times that they are used to, regardless of what is going on around them.  That's what I figure anyway.

Also, the beauty of Tracy's techniques are that I think they are suitable to every baby and all types of parents as they are easily adapted to suit your requirements and life style.

[Jaime]

keep in mind too, that having a baby IS a major deal!!  regardless of how you deliver, you really need to be willing to set aside time for yourself to heal and recover.... and get used to all these crazy new things.  life simply won't be the same as it is now.  (tbh, i didn't even want to leave the house the first couple of weeks while we all began to adjust to our new life.)  and to make things even crazier, even when you do have it all worked out, they change again!!

that being said... as you all get used to a new routine, you will start to see how you can fit in small outings here & there.  no, you probably won't be able to do ALL your errands in one shot, but at least getting one done here & there will help you connect with the outside world.

In the book Tracey talks of her routine for going to sleep, including putting the baby in his/her crib, respecting them and ensuring it is quiet and calm..etc etc.

It doesn't make sense to me that you would want a baby to sleep in such a way unless you are willing to stay at home all day, every day. Also, if a baby is used to quiet and darkness what happens when you are out and about, or something noisy is taking place??
Is this not just a way of creating problems?

well, let me ask you a question.... do YOU like to sleep out in a crowded mall with lots of light & noise?  (actually, i think a similar ? is asked in that book! )  it really is all about respect - your baby is a person, albeit a very dependent one.  you also have to take their personality into account.  an angel or a textbook baby is more LIKELY to sleep on the go, but it doesn't mean that they do.  however, touchy, grumpy, and spirited babies really do need that routine, the dark & quiet place or they really will get overstimulated, not nap well, and then you have an overtired baby on your hands. 

one final thing... the time where you really feel tied to your house... feels like forever, but it really isn't.  i promise i am not looking back w/ rose colored glasses here.  the older they get, the longer their A time is = the more you can do outside of the house.  if you have them on a good routine (not schedule!!), you really do have the freedom to do all sorts of things.

enjoy your baby!