Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A Good Reference, But Not Perfect Review: This book was recommended to me by several friends with babies just a few months older than my son (now 4 months old). I would also recommend the book to any new parent. After reading the book, I feel that the author, Gary Ezzo, has a very practical and reasonable approach. Ezzo advocates for the use of common sense, intuition, and what he refers to as "Parental Assessment" when it somes to making decisions regarding a baby's schedule/routine. Ezzo also emphasizes the importance of helping the infant become PART of a family and not the CENTER of it. He helps parents to combine the more extreme methods of parenting (demand feeding and hyperscheduling) and develop their own style of respectful, responsive caregiving. I do feel that there is one weakness with the book, however. While Ezzo does give some examples of what a Baby Wise schedule might look like and how a Baby Wise parent might act, he fails to offer much advice on how to achieve these ideals (particularly the scheduling). This might be especially frustrating for a parent who has turned to Baby Wise after finding themselves at their wits end.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Excellent method Review: Despite all of the negative reviews about this book, I still chose to use it. I have several friends who have used the Babywise method and they have the most well behaved children I have ever met. I started using the Babywise method when my son was 4 weeks old and 3 weeks later, he was sleeping through the night. He is now 7 months old and everywhere I go, people comment on how happy and content he is. I am able to plan my day around his schedule because it is predictable but flexable. This is a great book, I definitely recommend it!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Horrible book! Review: This book has been condemned by the American Academy of Pediatrics because babies parented using Ezzo's methods have been categorized as "Failure to thrive". Reports find that babies parented this way are likley yo be underweight and depressed. His methods are sabotage to a healthy breastfeeding relationship. He breaks down the intuitive and natural child/parent bond by forcing infants into an adult structure. ...
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Commen sense that makes sense! Review: I am a mother of three and have utilized Baby Wise concepts with each child. Each child has successfully slept through the night by eight weeks. They are happy, well rested and all around well adjusted. Many people comment on how happy and bright our children are. Some new mothers even think it is luck. Not luck, just common sense. I believe in schedules and my children thrive on knowing what to expect, when and how. I recommend Baby Wise to all my family and friends.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Why I love Babywise Review: My son is now 2 years old, but we're expecting our second and I am re-reading this book all over again. I practically had it memorized after our son was born. Over and over again I found the advice practical and helpful and what I needed, right when I needed it. I have never understood why anyone who reads the book would take the schedule to an extreme. The book clearly states over and over again that you should feed your baby if s/he is hungry. I followed the schedule, but was flexible in my approach (as the book suggests) and my son started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks. He never lost much of his birth weight at all and has never been anything but completely healthy. I was able to follow the schedule even though I breastfed exclusively, so I know it works. But the schedule is only a small part of the book. Reading this book will help you distinguish between your baby's different cries so you don't always just feed him/her when s/he cries. And many people don't realize there is a Babywise 2, which follows up on this one. I am currently reading Childwise and have many of the pages dog-eared and marked already! I don't know what I would do without Gary Ezzo!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Highly recommended Review: I happened upon this book at a clearance sale by a local bookstore & what a God send! I had a son with colic, but he slept very well because of the methods I applied from this book. He slept 10 hours at 9 weeks old. I also recommended it to my sister & she got great results also. I had a friend who had a daughter that was not sleeping through the night at 8 months old. I recommended the book to her & she called me back one month later thanking me, because her daughter was finally sleeping through the night. I love to give the book as baby shower gifts, because I know it will be one of the best gifts they get. And it works for all of them. Tired parents don't make good parents. And they all need this book. My son is now 3 & people constantly tell me how amazed they are at what a good kid he is. I actually have friends calling me & asking me when they can babysit him again!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Every parent should read this book! Review: By using the basic principles of this book, you will have a happy child that eats properly and sleeps properly. Full meals and good napping habits are vitally important to the health and well being of your child. We used the principles in this book and our baby was sleeping through the night at 8 weeks. She is now getting good sleep in the night and during the day and she has good eating habits. Good sleep is critical to the growth of your baby as this is the time in which the body will grow.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Helpful book Review: I was very skeptical about the Ezzo's works BEFORE I actually read the book and took a video class on it. The controversy that follow the Ezzo's around is quite daunting. However, the book is very helpful in getting a "flexible" routine down. It helps you understand your child's cues and know what you need to do to remedy their cries. I am not a big 'let your baby cry it out' person, so I have modified some parts of the book. But as the Ezzo's say this is a parent directed approach. We know our own children and so we do what is best for them. I also use a pacifier to help my child calm himself and go to sleep. The Ezzo's will say it is a sleep prop, but I am willing to deal with the consequences. I'm not too worried about it. If you can read the book and follow the guidelines without being legalistic (they warn about this) then it really is a WONDERFUL book. (and don't feel guilty if you cant let them cry themselves to sleep :) )
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: GREAT IN THEORY, BUT NOT IN PRACTICE Review: WHILE I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS GREAT IN THEORY WHILE I READ IT DURING MY PREGNANCY, PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE WAS ANOTHER STORY AFTER WE HAD OUR BABY. TRYING TO STICK TO THE SCHEDULE DROVE ME CRAZY. WHILE I AGREE WITH THE MAJORITY OF DR. EZZO'S PHILOSOPHY, IT'S A VERY RIGID REGIMEN. INSTEAD I WOULD RECOMMEND "SOLVING YOUR CHILD'S SLEEP PROBLEMS" BY DR. FERBER AS WELL AS "HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS, HAPPY CHILD" BY DR. WEISSBLUTH. BOTH ARE VERY SCIENTIFIC AS WELL AS INSIGHTFUL. DESPITE THE FACT THAT OUR CHILD WAS COLICKY, SHE STARTED SLEEPING 7 - 8 HOURS AT ONE MONTH...EVEN THOUGH SHE DIDN'T FALL ASLEEP FOR THE NIGHT UNTIL 4:00 AM!! ONCE THE COLIC PASSED AT THREE MONTHS, SHE WOULD GO TO BED AT 9:00 PM AND SLEEP 11 - 12 HOURS AND I CERTAINLY DON'T ATTRIBUTE IT TO "ON BECOMING BABYWISE".
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Bad Book Review: I read about 100 pages of this book and was very annoyed. I found him too simplistic with a "one-size-fits-all" approach to babies. I also questioned the accuracy of some of his statements. I was left with the feeling that his approach was simply "not right." I then went on-line and found a plethora of criticism about the author....no wonder! Don't waste your time with this book, or at least familiarize yourself with the criticism that surrounds this very controversial book. Buy instead the "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" and "The No Cry Sleep Solution" which are much better books and more compassionate for your baby's needs.
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