On Becoming Baby Wise: Parenting Your Pre Toddler 5-15 Months by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam (2001, Paperback, Reissue)

This was an absolutely fabulous book!!! I wish I had read it before I gave birth to my son to be prepared to start the routine within a few weeks of birth. I started my son at around 14 - 15 weeks and he adjusted so well to the routine. I bought it on recommendation from a friend because I was so burned out from the unpredictability of feeding, napping, awake time that we were experiencing. After about 3-4 days on the schedule, my son slept through the night (approx. 5-6 hour stretch) and wakes up around 4:30 - 5:30 am for a feeding (instead of every 2 - 3 hours to feed). Each day the routine gets easier to follow. My son now drifts off to sleep within 2-5 minutes after putting him down. This is so different from my first child that fought sleep terribly! This would have been a wonderful baby shower gift to have received!!! In the future, I will definitely consider buying it as a baby shower gift!!! If you love this book - you need to buy the Babywise 2 book (5 months - 15 months)!!!!
Tina M.
Thomasville, NC

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 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.

After having great success with the first book in this series, I read the second book once my son turned six months old. He has a sensitive digestive system; however, the suggestions in this book helped transition him to solid foods.

I loved the first book so I decided to buy the second one. I love the practical suggestions and ideas to implement with your child. I have found this to be extremely helpful for my daughter. I suggest that the book be bought early on when your child is still small. I waited a little long (8 months old) and found I had to retrain my daughter on some things, but in the long run it was worth it.