Rating: 
Summary: As bad as they come
Review: This book's recommendations are at odds with the recommendations of doctors and the AAP. In fact, the AAP has issued a formal statement against scheduled feedings such as this book suggests. An earlier reviewer made the point that hospitals put babies in the NICU on a schedule. It is important to remember that this is done for the CONVENIENCE of the hospital staff, as there is simply not enough staff to respond to each baby on cue. There is wealth of information about this book and its problems at ezzo.info. What many new parents may not know is that babies will develop their own routine on their own. It is not necessary or advisable to put them on an artificial schedule at such an early age. Many babies will need to eat much earlier than Ezzo's schedule allows, but soon enough they get into their own routine. By responding to your baby's cues appropriately, you can be sure you are meeting your baby's needs and that the routine that evolves is best suited for him/her. A lot of reviewers also seem to think that unless you put your baby on a feeding schedule, you are feeding them at every fuss. That is not the case. The nice thing about getting to know your baby instead of watching the clock and scheduling everything, is that you know what baby wants because you know your baby, not because the clock tells you it is time to do X. Many, many nursing women following this book have milk-supply problems starting around 4-6 months. The problems show up then because by that point, Ezzo's schedule has caused mom to miss several growth spurts (times when baby eats more frequently to increase milk supply). One reviewer raves about this book and also recommends the Nursing Mother's Companion by Huggins (which I agree is a great book). These two books could not be more diametrically opposed, and in fact, Huggins has made public statements against the bad breastfeeding information in Ezzo's book. Those of us that see this book for how bad it is are not bitter, as some reviewers suggest. I speak for myself, at least, when I say that my problems with this book are that it fails to consider what is developmentally appropriate for babies, and fails to recognize that all babies are different. I am finding parenthood to be a source of complete joy, which I think comes in part from an understanding of my child and where she is developmentally. The parents I know who follow Ezzo seem to always be at battle with their children and do not have a good understanding of what is developmentally appropriate. We are always being told how happy and well-behaved our toddler is. I think this comes in part at least from having her needs met in an age appropriate manner. Ezzo suggests that babies who are fed on a schedule will become fussy and demanding. Comparing my toddler with another child her same age whose parents used Ezzo, I would say the opposite is true. I have a patient, happy, even-tempered toddler, and the other child is fussy, a screamer, and very impatient. It appears to me that he has learned to be impatient and angry from having to wait to have his needs met when he was a baby. I think it is important to remember that feeding an infant on cue, meaning when they are hungry, does not mean that you will give an older child everything he wants. There is a big difference between meeting an infant's *needs* versus caving to an older child's *desires.* I am glad I read this book so that I can know what all the fuss is about, but I am glad that I had already read enough reputable, credible materials to avoid this book's recommendations.
Rating: 
Summary: Must Read for Every New Parent!
Review: This is the best book I have read on caring for a newborn! The techniques are logical and really work! I do not know a person who has tried this method and it not worked! I have used it on my two children with great results (and sleep for everyone!) both times. The best part is that (it seems) that babies who have been thus trained are HAPPY, well adjusted babies who are hardly ever fussy for no reason because they can feel that YOU are in control and that makes them feel secure. You can apply the prinicples in this book as strictly (with better results) or as loosely as you feel comfortable with (still with good results)! I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read this book twice before my first baby was born because I was suffering from "information overload" with all the other books I was reading. Then I re-read the book several times the first month after his birth. I HIGHLY recommend reading this book ALONG WITH Kathleen Huggins "Nursing Mother's Companion" breastfeeding book. I am very much into breastfeeding and despite all the negative press against Babywise book 1, I found it very compatible with breastfeeding. My baby is now 11 months old and he is an avid breastfeeder. I followed the full-Feeding/Play-wake/Sleep pattern Babywise recommends and my baby began sleeping through the night at 10.5 weeks old and did not miss a night until he started teething at 8 months of age. This pattern also regulated his metabolism so his feedings were pretty routine. If you are scared of the negative reviews you've read on this book, read and see for yourself first-hand and make your own mind. I also read the Baby Whisperer and it is similar. I also recommend you read Baby Whisperer in addition to Babywise. I bought Babywise Book 2 as well. BabyWise is about establishing ROUTINES, It is NOT about clock-watching. Babies thrive on predictable routines. You'll be glad you read it !
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Reference Book
Review: This book is filled with common sense principles, and it is absolutely one of the greatest, most simple resources out there for new parents. The negative reviewers have either A.) Clearly not read the book, (as is evident by their myriad arguments against theories the book does not even promote) or B.) Had their feelings hurt by the book because their own parenting choices fall far from what is suggsted by the book, and they are offended that anyone would suggest that they not run to their child as soon as he/she cries or feed him/her every time they can't sleep, or allow him/her to sleep with them. This book is NOT for new parents who want a quick fix, as schedules and routines take commitment to keep, but prove well worth it in the long run. Additionally, as one misguided, and apparently bitter reviewer said, "THEY SHOULD NOT SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT AT FIVE WEEKS....This book is for lazy parents."....wrong again. Our three kids ALL slept thorugh the night at five weeks, as did our best friends' two kids, and did my sister's three children. Perhaps the reviewers argument should have been "MY" child does not sleep thorugh the night at five weeks, becuase "I" don't practice the parenting skills needed to establish a routine for "MY" child, because "I" am the lazy parent. Baby Wise is a terrific resource for new or repeat parents both, and is highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a note regarding feedings
Review: I happen to be a wife of a pediatrician and a certified elementary teacher. This book was recommended to me & I plan to try the methods suggested. I read some of the reviews and I just wanted to mention the fact that babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in hospitals are not fed on demand every 1 1/2- 2 hrs. The hospitals I know feed them usually on a 3 hour schedule - even if breastfeeding. These babies are all newborns, some preemies, and they all thrive and grow as they should. The hospitals aren't evil, they want the babies to do well and they know a schedule keeps feedings in order and babies do well. So why should parents worry so much about being bad or lazy for wanting to try a more parent directed approach?
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Summary: What is this book about?
Review:
What is this book about? You may have heard varying opinions about it's philosophy, but do you know what key principles it contains? 1. Your baby needs BOTH of you. Some people think that, "my husband-wife relationship will always be there, but my baby needs me now!" Consider that children have better social and academic outcomes when their parents have a good relationship. Surprise, children tend to behave better when their parents have a good relationship! Invest in your husband-wife relationship. 2. Your baby needs sleep! Sleep deprivation studies indicate a huge impact on adults. Babies who are well fed and well rested are far more content. 3. Having a routine allows you to guide your baby's day to maximise their contentment. You can arrange for your baby to spend most of his wake time well fed and well rested. Exactly how you do this is fairly complex, so be sure to study the book carefully and discuss together. 4. Routine feedings help the infant develop a surprisingly acute sense of time, based upon cyclical blood sugar and hunger patterns. There is no other sensory input suitable for developing this infantile time sense, which provides security for the baby and predictability for the parent. 5. If your baby is hungry, feed her! With experience, it is easy to tell the difference between a genuine hunger which cannot be denied -vs- light snacking which can be detrimental to healthy sleeping patterns. Exceptions to the routine will not hinder it's benefits. 6. A baby naturally expects to sleep longer at night time, but has no idea when night-time is! It is the parent's job to guide the baby's naps so that the longer nap-times align with physical night-time. I refer you to the book to find out how this is done. 7. A sick baby, or a tired baby, or one with feeding problems, may not be getting enough milk. This is especially critical in the early weeks. How to tell if your baby is getting enough. 8. Causes of low milk supply. 9. Baby's benefit from having different people looking after them. This helps to minimise separation anxiety at 9-24 months. 10. Expect changes to the feeding routine as your child get's older. These changes need to occur to meet your child's changing needs. 11. With the right kind of routine, a baby's needs are all met, contentment is maximised, and they sleep 7-8 hours through the night somewhere between 5 and 12 weeks. Most babies following these guidelines will sleep through by 8 weeks all by themselves. This night-time sleep is not only possible, it is beneficial, for both the baby and for ongoing breast feeding. 12. Some babies need help adjusting to continual night-time sleep. Typically they wake once during the night, and the book discusses how to identify the issues and what to do. 13. Some parenting practises can cause ongoing problems with night-time sleep. What they are and how to avoid them. 14. Babies need to cry, particularly at nap-time. Stifling their cry can interfere with longer naps (1½-2½ hours), and can hide signs of illness. Parents can learn to discern what the different cries mean. 15. Sometimes a baby needs help to go to sleep, but healthy sleep habits also depends upon their skill to put themselves back to sleep. Babies who can do this often stir in the middle of the night, but drift straight back to sleep. Babies who cannot put themselves to sleep must wake up completely, and yell for Mum or Dad to help them go back to sleep again. Going back to sleep again takes much longer if they are completely awake. Sometimes you will help your baby go to sleep, but don't neglect to provide frequent opportunities for your baby to learn the skill of going to sleep by himself. 16. Aim to be consistent, but don't be rigid. Many factors will require adjustments and exceptions to your routine. Don't be afraid to make exceptions. This is an excellent book, and was a great blessing to us, but it doesn't identify well enough the variations between different babies. Most babies are not textbook babies, and will not follow the exact timetable. It also should repeatedly stress that parents should relax, and not worry about getting it all precisely right. Some new parents are over anxious to make sure they do everything right. While the book teaches against using a rigid schedule, some parents can still err towards being rigid because they are afraid to make a mistake. Our first baby slept through at 9 weeks, and our second at 12 weeks. Our first baby needed help learning to sleep through the 4:30am mark. Our second baby slept through by herself, although later than most of our friends who also used these principles.
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Summary: Could not have done it with out it!
Review: Being away from mom, newly wed and expecting first child could be very scary. A good friend gave me this book about a month before I had my son, I read it and applied. I was very hard at first letting my son cry, but I would go into the room pat his back and re assured him, and timed it, too. Soon enough after 3 days he wouldn't cry, he was sleeping by his 5th week, latter he took his naps sat in the crib after waking up smiling, but besides teaching him to sleep trough the night, it brought piece and comfort in to our lives. We were able to distinguish the tones of his cry. We knew if he was tired or hungry, or if he got hurt. This was very helpful for me, and my friends were able to tell also when left babysitting. Some of them had kids even the same age and their baby was always fuzzy, other her son was 4 and he still jumped out of bed in the middle of the night to find her so she would lay with him for a few minutes before she went back to bed. Now I have a 4, 3, and 1 year olds with my second she was sleeping through the night by 9 weeks and my 1 year old by 8. They all take naps sleep their 12 hours, is Great! I recently gave this book as a gift to my best friend and one of the things she told me was "I keep a picture of my youngest as a book mark to remind my self why I need to follow these steps." It worked for me I highly recommend it, it saved my sanity literally! I hope that it works for you too. I don't understand about the controversy, unfortunately because of it there are a few places that sales it. I feel that is a helpful, great parenting advise book. I do got to say one thing, if you are the type of person that believes that as a child should listen to his parents, or can't function with out any sleep (like me :) ) this book is for you. if you read about the controversy read the book first and the judge for your self. :)Good luck!
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Summary: Don't let this be your only parenting book
Review: I respect that parents have differing styles. While I personally don't agree with Mr. Ezzo's recommendations on baby training, if his stuff works for you, then great for you. BUT...brand new parents are frequently looking for a quick fix to "problems." And lots of times, a closer look reveals that it is the parents, and not the baby with the problem. I don't mean that there is something wrong with the parents, I mean that their expectations are not in keeping with the biological nature of a baby. Before you read this or any other "practical" parenting book, read Dr. Meredith Small's book "Our Babies, Ourselves." It will help you get a handle on exactly what your little primate is born needing, from a purely scientific standpoint. THEN make your decision on what the best parenting style is for you and your family (and yes, I hope for your baby's sake it is more Sears than Ezzo.)
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Summary: When do YOU eat? When do YOU get a drink?
Review: Your answer probably is, "When I'm hungy, when I'm thirsty." Babies eat to satisfy thirst as well as hunger. Breastfed babies nurse for comfort and bonding, as well as to satisfy their physical needs. If a guest came into your house and said, "I'm thirsty. May I have something to drink?" You wouldn't dream of saying, "No. Our schedule says beverages are not to be served for another 45 minutes." If your spouse came up to you and said, "I've had a stressful day. I need a hug." Would you say no? Yet, that's exactly what this book tells you to do with your tiny baby. Try to see things from your babies perspective. I can't imagine being so hungry or thirsty that I had to cry myself to sleep. I also can't imagine feeling all alone, crying in bed, and my husband not coming to comfort and hold me. I would never dream of doing this to a helpless baby, that can't tell time and doesn't understand "five more minutes." Treat your baby the way you'd like to be treated. You can't spoil a baby by giving him/her what s/he needs. When your children are older, you can teach them delayed gratification by gently withholding WANTS, not NEEDS. Talk to your pediatrician about sheduled feedings. You'll find that they lead to dehydration and failure to thrive. Instead of this book, I recommend The Baby Book, by Sears and Sears.
Rating:
Summary: On Becoming Baby Wise
Review: This book changed my life. I was tired and cranky from lack of sleep. This book was recommended to me by my sister-in-law who had twins. She was able to get them both to sleep through the night after three months. I saw results quickly. My baby wakes up happy and doesn't cry when I put him down for the night.
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