Baby Books

Just like there are way too many baby product to sift through, there is also WAY too much reading out there. So I thought I'd tell you what I read to prepare for my little munchkin and let you know what I thought. I like to think of baby books the same way I think of diet books...I just read a little bit of everything that's out there and do what works best for me. Here's a list of what I've read (yes, it's probably too much):

Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam - The book is actually very controversial, especially among lactation consultants mainly because it speaks out against demand feeding. However, the routine laid out in this book is basically what Savannah is doing: eat, play sleep in 2 1/2 to 3 hr intervals. I'm telling you, once she got the hang of it, it worked like a charm. It's not as rigid as it sounds. I like to say it's a routine - not a schedule so you're not a slave to the clock. Because of her predictable routine, you are able to assess the needs of your baby a lot easier. It's also a lot easier for you to have "me" time and to figure out when you can run errands, etc. There are some things in this book that are kind of old school, but if you can get past that I highly recommend it. I've known tons of moms that have used this routine and loved it. I've also seen other Baby Wise kids and they always seem to be so happy and content. The best thing about it is that they learn to sleep so well. I think Savannah already knows that when we put her in her crib it's time to go to sleep. I can put her in there wide awake and she's asleep in 10 minutes or less!

The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg - The routine laid out in this book is almost exactly like Baby Wise. She calls it EASY (eat, awake, sleep, you time). The interval periods are a little more lenient, and I like the tone of the book better than Baby Wise. This book was more interesting and entertaining that Baby Wise, but like I said, the routine's essentially the same. However, I am glad that I read both because each has it's unique angle and wisdom. Baby Wise encouraged me not to be afraid to be tough and I like the way Baby Whisperer talks about respecting your baby and being gentle, etc.

Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp - This book actually contradicts a lot of the things in Baby Wise and Baby Whisperer which is part of the reason reading too many baby books can be dangerous. It basically says putting a baby on a schedule is pointless until they are 3 months old. His theory is very interesting. Not using a routine from the beginning was not practical for me since I will be returning to work. I decided to GENTLY implement a routine after reading this. I also found the soothing techniques in this book extremely helpful. No matter what you believe about schedules/routines, I think these soothing methods will be helpful for any baby. Let's face it, most babies fuss! I know Savannah definitely does. However, I will say her nightime fussiness dramatically decreased after implementing the Baby Wise routine.

Good Night Sleep Tight by Kim West - This book is totally dedicated to sleep. The cool thing about it is that it goes from infancy to age 5. I guess as you child grows they can get a whole new set of sleeping issues. Friends have recommended this book to me as well. One of my friends calls it the "Sleep Bible" saying her little girl has always been a wonderful sleeper after she implemented the techniques in this book and that she sleeps better than most of her friends. Again, a lot of the methods in this book overlap with Baby Wise and Baby Whisperer but it's totally dedicated to sleep. I like this book, because it seems a little less overwhelming. It almost like baby steps to good sleep. She has rules for weeks 1-4, 4-8, etc so it's never too much to remember. Kim West also endorces the Miracle Blanket. To learn about this magical thing, click HERE. We have two and they work like a charm. They are expensive, but I'm a firm believer that they are better than any of the other swaddling blankets out there. We were given several kinds, but nothing keeps them as snug as the Miracle Blanket.

I hope this has been informative and not overwhelming. Now that I've written it all out, I can't believe I read this much. It was at times overwhelming, but I felt all the reading was actually interesting and educational and helped me figure out what was best for our family. Seriously, if you don't have your baby on some sort of routine and you are having trouble, I would highly recommend either Baby Wise or Baby Whisperer. Just try it for a few weeks (I would recommend at least 3 weeks) and see if it makes a difference. It's not going to happen overnight and it is very hard at first to let them cry at naptime for a few minutes, but it shouldn't take long for you to see a difference, especially if your baby is still pretty young. I think the longer you wait the more difficult it becomes.

Hope this is useful. If you have any questions feel free to email me or give me a call! I'm definitely NOT the expert but I'm struggling through this first year just like any new mom and am a big believer in sharing things that work!