Sleep Training/Cry It Out Book List

Brenda - posted on 09/15/2009 ( 9 moms have responded )

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Okay, I know that sitting here talking about the books we do like probably has a few of us (myself mainly) thinking about the worst books out there that should be used as campfire material. Now, not saying that everything in the list should be bad through and through, but I would like to compile a list of books and reasons why they are detrimental to the goal of gentle and peaceful sleep methods. Now, I haven't actually read any of these books, but to start the list, I'll list the biggest books that are problematic, and if someone who has read one wants to throw in some reasons why there are issues with it. If this goes well, I'll pin this one and edit it to compile the list like I have the other thread.



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Babywise

Encourages extremely long periods between feeds at night, among a list of other things. Visit http://www.ezzo.info/index.htm for all details.



The Baby Whisperer

Anit-AP feelings, not a good Breastfeeding resource, places baby in the position of not being in control of their needs, discourages feeding on demand and sets a schedule for feeding/sleeping/playing. This may not be a CIO book, but I feel from the various sources it is a sleep/baby training book.



What to Expect the First Year

Endorses Cry It Out, though does offer some good advice in other areas (well, depending on if you like them or not...lol).



Dr. Ferber's books

Controlled crying, though at the lesser end of the spectrum, he does not endorse extended crying periods, endorses sleeping for long periods of time which may be unhealthy for especially young infants.



Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old" by Suzy/ Abidin, Lisa Giordano.

No explanation necessary on this one....

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9 Comments

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Katherine - posted on 11/06/2009

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As should be obvious by the title alone, "Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old" by Suzy/ Abidin, Lisa Giordano.

Justine - posted on 11/04/2009

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I have to say, everyone raves about how great What to Expect book are, but I could never stomach them, even when I was pregnant and clueless. It felt like they were telling me everything that could go wrong with my pregnancy and all the ways I could screw up my child. I really liked The No-Cry Sleep Solution. I thought it was empathetic to most situations, and while she stressed the advantages of breastfeeding and co-sleeping, she acknowleged that not all parents use those methods but still needed to get their baby to sleep. It didnt feel to me like I was being pressured one way or another, or that I should feel guilty if I didnt follow these exact steps to the letter. It gave ideas that could be used in any combination that works for the individual family.

Brenda - posted on 09/24/2009

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Thanks for the link Lisa. So basically, the only thing we can really put on the good list from this book is she likes a good nighttime routine, which will work for some. Of course, I'm not a fan of them myself....LOL. :) I'll edit this one to reflect what points are not good in the book.

Minnie - posted on 09/23/2009

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Found this on the Kellymom site:

http://www.kellymom.com/store/reviews/re...

A review of the Babywhisperer. Most of it covers her lack of knowledge concerning infant feeding, but does include her take on AP, and sleep a bit.

Brenda - posted on 09/17/2009

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Hrm, in light of that, would it be one of those books where you can take some things, and discount others? If the information on routine is good, as Jennifer suggested in the other thread, would we be okay with placing the book on both lists? I mean, if there are some saving graces to a book I'd like to acknowledge them.



But that in mind, if there is sleep training advice I do want to include it on this list so everyone is aware of where it falls short of the ideal book.



FTR, Lisa, that quote is what I remember reading about this book and not liking. I recall now that she was emphatic about not letting babies cry alone, but the idea of her being almost anit-AP comes to mind from what I recall. Thanks for refreshing my memory on that!

Minnie - posted on 09/17/2009

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Guess I'll have to put Baby whisperer on my 'bad books' list to read as well, lol. From what I read on the Amazon reviews, she is pretty condescending toward AP, gives bad breastfeeding advice, frowns upon rocking your infant to bed, and according to one reviewer, this is a quote out of the book



"A baby needs to be shown his/her place within the family, and thus should not be the one to dictate when s/he eats, sleeps or plays."



Pretty pitiful, if you ask me.

Brenda - posted on 09/16/2009

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Quoting Jennifer:

Correction, "The Baby Whisperer" vehemently states in one of her books that I read that she does not believe in allowing an infant to cry alone, ever!



What would you classify her philosphy as?  I have not read it, which is why I am asking, but the only reviews I have seen by others have been on par with Babywise... 





Mainly I am curious if it is a Ferber type method which may be why some label it as CIO.

Jennifer - posted on 09/16/2009

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Correction, "The Baby Whisperer" vehemently states in one of her books that I read that she does not believe in allowing an infant to cry alone, ever!

Minnie - posted on 09/16/2009

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On Becoming Babywise....



*gaggaggaggaggaggaggaggag*



OK I'm good.



Here's a plethora of info on the above:



http://www.ezzo.info/



To sum it up: the author's a pastor- who has been disciplined by his church, disowned by his own children, has no credentials, an honorary 'degree' from a seminary, his wife practiced as a nurse for all of 2-3 years back in the 70s, no research, no science, no citations, no peer reviews, on and on and on.



He has a 'christian' version of this- Growing Kids God's Way (yeah right) that includes the bunk from Babywise but adds in switching one's children in the name of holiness.



In Babywise he creates two fictitious children, to exemplify HIS method (Parent Directed Feeding) and attachment parenting (which he goes to extremes in an attempt to make it appear permissive parenting, rather than being sensitive to one's child). And then he uses these characters to show how each parenting philosophy will affect the child's development. LOLOLOLOLOL.



Basically- never feed baby before three hours. Crying alone at night is good! But don't let your crying baby bother others! Must have baby on a bottle from birth, because you HAVE to have alone date nights with hubby or kids will run your life and you'll get a divorce and screw your kids up forever. Babies don't know what they need.



He contradicts himself left and right it's insane. Oh I can't stand that man. What a blazing idiot.