Rating: 
Summary: Self RIghteous and Offensive!!!
Review: The authors present an "infant management plan" to train your baby. Babies are living beings, not corporate projects to be proactively managed!! While the overall jist--about predictibility--may be helpful for babies, the rest is all just crazy opinions. They go so far as to suggest things like breastfeeding on demand is the cause of childhood obesity, and picking your baby up when s/he cries can lead to child abuse....They tell mothers to forget about trusting their intuition, or doing anything motherly or that comes naturally. If you want the "medical" suggestions on how to have your baby sleep through the night, without all the opinoins and corporate speak of "the family team" then I suggest "sleeping through the night" by Jodi Mindell. If you want a pro-mama book, check out "the womanly art of breastfeeding" by La Leche. There is no reason to get Babywise unless you buy into the premise that a family is to be run like a heirarchal organization and you are its rational leader. If you, like me, think a family should act like a family with lots of unpredictible love and emotion, then don't waste your time on this.... I found this book offensive and not worth recommending. In the end, you are going to find a rhythym and pattern that works best for you and your family--wouldn't you rather get to that rhythym with the help of books that support your judgement and instincts rather than one that presents a narrow, opinionated ideal of ONE right way to be.
Rating: 
Summary: This works for Breastfeeding also
Review: ... I will say 2 children later (one is 2 and the other is 6 months now with clean bills of health from our pediatrician) that this is not a true statement. Both my sons were breastfed and we did not have a failure to thrive issue or dehydration. In fact, both of them are well within height and weight norms. I think where people are having problems is that they don't realize that you have to do your job and observe the cues that the baby is receiving enough milk (esp number of dirty diapers). This book was a common sense approach to feeding babies and making life good for the whole family. I took one star off because the book is not always organized well and it does not address certain types of concerns thoroughly (such as colick situations). But I would whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone and tell them to read carefully and follow through and your baby, your spouse, and you will have a great time growing together!!
Rating: 
Summary: 3 children happy, healthy and loved!
Review: I was given this book (and the course on tapes) with our first child - and we have used the methods with all three children with great results! Compared to other children our children were "happy" babies. I constantly heard from strangers and friends "You're lucky" "You got an easy baby" or "That is the happiest baby!".This book changed our perspective on parenting completely. And it makes sense. The book cautions to not be legalistic - and I think some people have a problem with this and they go overboard. Of course, don't starve your baby - use common sense! It's simple. You set the times to eat, play and sleep (in this order). After all, it's the schedule we as adults keep except our play=work. Babies need to eat more frequently and take longer naps. They don't starve if they are not fed for a longer period at night, it helps them set a scedule to stay up longer during the day. And, they aren't so cranky from not knowing what comes next.
Think about it - how would you feel if your schedule of eating sleeping and workin changed all the time. You'd be very confused and cranky and that's what I see with other babies that are demand fed.
This book will help you keep your sanity and help you raise a confident child!
Rating:
Summary: This is a GREAT program!!
Review: Don't listen to those who say your baby will fail to thrive or that it's too ridgid... if anyone reads this book they will find out that there is flexibility in the plan. You will also find that you will be able to sleep and get your baby the sleep he/she needs within a structured, reasonable program. It all makes sense. Babies NEED sleep and they NEED to be encouraged to sleep and stabilize their hunger/sleep patterns. EVERYONE wants routine and structure, it makes you comfortable. That's what this is about, as well. It's as simple as that. Do yourself a favor and READ this book and take action to help your baby and yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Parent Directed Feeding, not clock feeding
Review: I think a common misconception of this book is that Ezzo is recommending rigid clock-feeding, which he DOES NOT advocate. Ezzo's feeding concept in this book is "Parent Directed Feeding", which uses both the baby's hunger cues and parental judgment to direct a feeding schedule. It's not about feeding the baby in 2-3 hour intervals, it's about setting a consitent pattern of wake/feeding/sleep times to work with your child's natural clock. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but take from it what you will and leave what you don't want. I do not believe anyone's book should be seen as the end-all authority on anything. Just take everything with a grain of salt and use your better judgement. Apart from the feeding issue, one thing I did greatly enjoy about this book was the first chapter in which Ezzo stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy husband-wife relationship. I think that first chapter is definitely worth a peek.
Rating:
Summary: Every Mom should own this book and the Child wise books too!
Review: I read this book and it just made sense to me so my husband and I tried it on our first child. You know how eveyone says " if they could only come with instruction books" well this is as close as your gonna get. It worked, my son slept thru the night for the first time at 4 days old. I woke myself up that morning, and immediatly I was scared something had happened to him while I was asleep, when I looked at him he was sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't beleive it, I hated to wake him. Theres some reviews here that say to wait until you child is three months old or they will become malnurished, well they may be a registered nurse but obviously didn't read the entire book. You strive to put the baby on a schedule instead of demand feeding but this book stresses that you should feed your child even if once in a while you have to break the schedule, only a cold person would refuse to feed a precious baby, that is not what this book tells you to do. As with everything use your best judgement, read the book and do what you feel will work best. My child was not malnourished, he thrived real well and is now a wonderful 5 year old boy, who has lots of energy and is supriseingly strong, with a baby sister who slept thru the night when she was 2 weeks old
Rating:
Summary: Finally- a lifeline
Review: OK, I bought this book without the slightest idea of the controversy surrounded this method. In fact, I was a bit shocked by what I read in the reviews. My son is anything but undernourished, underloved, or insecure. A main theme I see in the neg reviews is the failure to thrive-- well guess what, my little guy (6 weeks old) was eating every 2.5 to 3.5 hours anyway and he is not starving to death, but what he was very much sleep deprived. I thought you should put your child down after eating only to find he would not sleep well and took terrible naps or would refuse to nap all together. The overtiredness would effect him at night--not sleeping more than 3 hours at a stretch and getting up every 45 minutes from 3:00 am on for no apparent reason. I was haggered, exhausted, and extremely frustrated. Reading this book empowered me to be the mommy and set the tone for him. How can I raise a healthly, confident young boy when I am exhausted all the time. The next issue- crying himself to sleep. I was in the school that he was too young to put himself to sleep. I would rock him, tiptoe to the crib and hope he would still be asleep after I shut the door only to find him waking up instead. I decided to try placing him in his crib semi- awake. To my surprize he cries maybe 5 to 10 minutes for the most part. If the crying goes beyond 10 minutes I go into his room and burp, rock, and cuddle him. Next thing I know he is back into his crib drifting off to sleep. I think crying is healthly (not in excess though). I feel it is a mistake to stiffle his self expression. Up until recently the only way he could express himself to us was through crying. As long as I know he is not hungery, wet, or gassy I feel ok to let him let off some steam... infact he seems to sleep more soundly because of it. Finally the 'rigid' schedule... it is only rigid if you make it rigid. It is meant as a guide... If my son is hungry before the 2.5 'minimum' described in the book, I feed him simple as that. If he sleeps through his mealtime, I give him an extra half hour to 45 minutes of sleep-- or I rouse him as best I can feed him his 2-3 ounces and if he is still sleeping when I am done- back to bed. The bottom line is babies need a schedule... a routine... something I was lacking for him before I read the book 4 days ago. Already nights have improved dramatically. He only got up once before 5:00am last night (3) after his 10:15 feeding. The first time since he was born I have gotten more than 1.5 to 2 hours of sleep at a stretch. Not to mention my son is eating much more and better now that his getting to be more rested. I have been surprized on several occasions he has polished off 4 ounces after being fed 2.5 hours earlier 3 ounces. He was not thriving before I read the book and we were all miserable and my husband and I barely spoke other than to snap at each other or argue over something trivial. My husband slept on the couch until last from the time our little man came home because of the stress and his desire to sleep. Bottom line- be open minded to things other than demand feedings-- AP parenting, Dr Sears attach your kid to hip theory-- talk about encouraging co- dependency and separation issues! Instead of eating no more than an ounce at a time and becoming a snacker every hour-- resulting in me getting nothing done between feeding him hourly and trying to get him to nap. I would have to wait for my husband to get home from work to shower or shower with him screaming somewhere in the house. Miserable. I agree that your life focuses on the child--- However I am the parent and he is the child, I do not think any age is too young to send the message of who is in charge. Everything I do and decision I make does take into consideration his needs and well being as my number one priority! All I can say this book saved me from going off the deep end from a lack of sleep. An exhausted parent does not equal good parent. In addition parents who are at each other and out of sync add stress to the home and baby picks up on it big time. So I really liked the fact the author at the very beginning stress the importance of the martial relationship, something we were both letting slip. You have to take care of yourself well in order to be effective in taking care of your baby.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I have used this book three times. The longest it took to get the baby to sleep through the night was 12 weeks. I am thankful for this book because by the time my third came around, I needed all the sleep I could get! There was no napping for me by then! I used this book for my two youngest and for my Godson. The only one who has ever cried and fought naps was the one I DIDN'T use the book for! Even my 3 year old handles nap and bed times well! I buy this book for every baby shower I'm invited to. I found it to be a life-saver, especially with multiple children. You know exactly what to expect and when. When people babysat for me, they knew EXACTLY what to do when my baby started crying at exactly the time I said she would! You can't put a price on that!
Rating:
Summary: A Life saver
Review: I am glad I bought and read this book before being tainted by the negative reviews. The first 5 weeks of life with my son were Hell.... He ate every hour, refused to nap, and became unbearable at night, often waking up 4+ times a night. My girlfriend recommended the book and I finally bought it. The key concepts to me are. Flexibility, and hunger cues. Buy no means do I wait to feed my child every 3 hours if he is hungry sooner. But after 2 days on his new routine, he is napping for up to 2 hours. Only getting up once between 10:30 and 5:00, he used to wake at 3, 4, 5, and 6 leaving me absolutely haggered and frustrated because he would not eat more than a half and ounce or sleep for more than a half an hour. Now he eats 2.5 to 3 ounces per feeding, and seems to be much happier for it! I think he was both overtired and hungry-- and he couldn't figure out which to satisfy first. Believe me I tried. The crying himself to sleep, my rule is no more than 15 minutes which he has yet to make. I cuddle, kiss, play, rock, swing, stroll, etc. with my son, the difference is that his is not screaming during these activities, instead he is smiling. It has been a very difficult transition to motherhood from breast rejection to depression. This book was like an olive branch to me. It gave me the confidence to take charge... to let my baby know that I am his mommy and he does not have to worry, his needs will be met.... I don't think he felt that early on. Like anything-- you take the bits and pieces that work-- but never let your child go hungry or feel insecure. In fact my son was failing to thrive until I switched to soy based formula and read this book.....
Rating:
Summary: Bum rap
Review: I am a mother of a THRIVING 4 month old who slept through the night at 11 weeks. I attribute this to the advice from this book. One of the main components of the book, which many other reviewers (if they even picked up the book in the first place) fail to acknowledge, is that parental assessment is tantamount to anything that the book says. I am not sure if they read the part that said "turn the clock against the wall for the first week and feed them when they are hungry." Sure, if you follow the letter of the book and don't pay attention to your child's cries, you will have a starving, unhappy baby. My son gained more weight than the doctor anticipated at his checkup. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a sound framework for raising an infant. Read this book if you want a happy, healthy, THRIVING child who everyone loves to be around.
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