On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep Paperback – January 1, 2007

I was given this book while I was pregnant with my first child. I am not really much into reading books for parental advice, but I did it anyway. I wound up actually reading a couple of other things, but none of them made sense to me (for example: BabyWise teaches you to let your child self-soothe, without the use of a pacifier or you rocking them to sleep, while other books didn't seem to care other than the fact that it might interfere with breastfeeding...?). So I applied the BabyWise techniques with my newborn daughter, and she was sleeping through the night by 5 weeks. By 6 months, she was sleeping 12 hours a night. Her schedule was regulated, she was a happy baby (because she was getting the sleep she needed), and we were happy parents. Non-frazzled parents = non-frazzled baby!Think about it: can a 1 week old baby (or a 4 month old baby for that matter) really know how to make a schedule for themselves? Of course not! It's up to us as parents to steer our child in the right direction and then they will naturally become scheduled and responsible children.Now: my daughter is 2 1/2, and I honestly do see the benefits of this book. Her sleep schedule is still awesome (and I haven't gone back to this book since she was an infant), and she has NEVER fought with us when it comes to bedtime (unless we get home late and she is over-tired). She actually says "I think it's time for night night" (this includes her nap as well as nighttime). Everyone says what a well-behaved child she is. We incorporate time-outs still, but they don't happen too often. I am FAR FROM being a ridgid mother! My husband actually says I am too compassionate at times!I have at least 5 friends who have used this book (most of their children being around 2 or 3 now), and they all recommend it and have the happiest and well-behaved children.I am pregnant again, due any time now, and I plan to incorporate the exact same principles with this new baby, as I see (a couple years down the road) how well it has worked. My daughter is a very happy child, no tantrums. We all have our issues, but I know how much worse it *could* have been had I not established a predictable routine and actually consistently followed through.So all that to say, if you are having questions about this book, instead of automatically believing what you read (with my review or otherwise), just read the book yourself and decide. Actually apply the principles throroughly before reviewing, as some people don't do.One more thing: people who are reviewing Ezzo instead of reviewing this book, that is not what reviews are for. We all are supposed to be reviewing a book here, not the author. Obviously this has worked for far more people than not, so there is much to say about that.Update: I have now used this with all 3 of my children, my youngest being 6 months old, and all 3 have healthy sleep habits. I have 2 girls and a boy, and the only issue I came across was my second child; she had reflux, so I had to tweak it a little, but there is a chapter on that as well.After 3 kids, I still recommend this book.Good luck to all the mommies out there!!

Just had my third child and purchased the updated version of the babywise book. It's been well updated and revised. The basic sleep concept of this book is consistent with other sleep books with a few exceptions. Babywise puts more explanation on the concept of helping your child develop a sleep, eat, wake pattern and how to functionally put into place a schedule for your family. Proof is in the outcome. It works and it's wonderful to have a happy baby that sleeps sooner than later with little difficulty. We all sleep better, eat better, and function better. As a mother, I have a predictable day that I can organize and manage all the kids well. I routinely have people ask me how I get my children to sleep so well and behave so well.Have found other books on babies sleep patterns to be a helpful compliment to this book as the babywise books are foundational vs. detailed. Really like the combination of babywise books with Kim West's book, Good Night Sleep Tight, The sleep lady's guide... (long title). What babywise doesn't do is break things down in a detailed month by month look at what your child's sleep patterns are like but who cares if they're sleeping well by week 3. I have had two premature children and complications with breastfeeding. I have bottle fed my children which may make this philosophy more simplistic. Babywise highly encourages breastfeeding and these books were recommended to me by two Mom's each with 4 kids, who breastfed.One thing I do notice in the criticism of this book is a judgement on the underlying Christian message. This is the first in a series of parenting books that are the mainstream version of a Christian ministry. Unfortunately, there is a lot of antichristian sentiment and tends to blacklist anything that touches that arena. Not wise. I'm a Catholic and this book is in line with Catholic Christian values. Babywise is overall initiating a parental philosophy that is very needed in our culture today. The updated version is more tolerant and courteous of the alternate views, which is "wise". Highly recommend this book.If nothing else, give this book a chance and add it to the list of research books on how to care for your baby. It's very helpful in many ways.