Rating: 
Summary: Truly awful -- zero stars!
Review: I can't imagine how any human being could bear to make a hungry baby wait to eat, make him cry himself to sleep, or punish him for playing with his food. I can't even imagine making a tiny baby sleep alone! And when did sleeping through the night become the ultimate goal of parenting?? I thought we were all trying to raise happy, healthy kids. When you let your baby cry for forty-five minutes and she finally stops and falls asleep, she hasn't learned to "self-comfort" or to get to sleep on her own: she's learned that from now on, no matter how hard she tries to tell you she needs you, you will not respond. Not for my family, thank you. Okay, so a new baby changes your life, and probably takes it over for quite a while. Sorry, but if you can't handle this idea, don't have kids!! Children are not a fashion accessory that you can trot out to impress people and then stash in a cupboard somewhere when it's not "convenient" for you to look after them. In order to grow into healthy, loving adults, babies and children need understanding and love and, yes, discipline -- but not the kind of "discipline" that advocates slapping your baby's hands when he plays with food. Playing is one of the ways babies learn about their world. Bottom line: this book is about adults, not babies -- it's a parenting philosophy that sees babies and children as impediments to an easy, trouble-free life and tells you how to minimize their impact on your lifestyle. If that's your view of babies ... buy a Cabbage Patch Kid.
Rating:
Summary: This book could be dangerous for your baby
Review: I showed this book to my baby's doctor and he told me that many pediatricians are critical of it. Evidently the scheduled feedings have resulted in low weight gain and other problems with babies. I thought the book made a great deal of sense until I read the information and research he gave me that said otherwise. He said that the techniques may work, but that they are not what is best for the baby. He recommended books by Dr. William Sears, Penolope Leech, and T. Berry Brazelton instead. I thought this was important for others to know.
Rating: 
Summary: Some thoughts on baby wise
Review: Baby Wise helped me to understand and counter the party line of the demand feeding philosopy: "Babies know when they are hungry," with the implication being, so let them signal to you for food.Clearly babies are the _first_ to know when they are _really_ hungry. But it doesn't take mom (or anyone else) long to figure that out either. What babies don't know (and moms do) is when baby is likely to get hungry next. Mom knows because she has been sensitive to this since the first day of baby's life. Furthermore moms know when the baby is actually going to be able to eat next or not--such as when a breast feeding mom is not going to be available for the next 2 hours. Armed with PDF principles mom listens to baby but ultimately directs feeding given the constraints of the day. I would conclude after reading Baby Wise that mom is actually the one who knows best when baby is hungry and should eat. It is principles like these found in Baby Wise that help you to be confident in your role as mom and provider for your baby. I recommend this book to new moms I meet.
Rating: 
Summary: This book saved my life!
Review: With my first baby, I was demand feeding - my life was not my own. My friend had recommend Baby Wise, but I thought it was too "harsh" for my precious baby. BUT - as a busy professional woman, I soon realized I needed help. Baby Wise provided the answer. All I can say is that it worked - and gave me my life back. Really. Using the Baby Wise principles, I finally knew EXACTLY when my baby needed to sleep, play and eat. No more guessing. I had control. With my second baby, I nursed, went back to work full-time, and had a "Baby Wise" baby. She is a jewel - happy, content and sleeping on schedule. I have recommended this book to the other attorneys in my office, as well as every other parent I run into who makes any remark about lack of sleep. Remember - be flexible. Use your common sense. And enjoy your baby and your life!!!
Rating:
Summary: A big help for first-time parents
Review: As first-time parents, we were clueless. We read this book and it helped us tremendously. Our son fell right into a routine and the schedules helped us plan our days and helped with breast feeding. There are times you need to be flexible and use your common sense (as the book urges as well). Trust your own instincts as well. Our son is thriving (at 2 months he was almost double his birth weight, a goal usually at 6 months). He is extremely happy and healthy and is a very content baby. We love him to death. Many medical professionals discourage the use of this book saying children don't thrive following its principles without saying WHY they don't thrive. I think it is because people follow this book to the letter, don't trust their instincts, and forget to be flexible. Those are the keys to success.
Rating:
Summary: Parents in charge of a happy baby!
Review: My sister-in-law gave me this book when I was about 4 months pregnant and I've been thanking her ever since. My two sisters fed their babies "on demand" and had very coliky, children. Their children (now ages 18months and 3yrs.) will only go to sleep if they are sleeping with mommy or by some other prop. They are a nightmare to any babysitter. Baby Wise's "Parent Directed Feeding" approach made a lot of sense to me. I could see all of the areas where my two sisters went wrong. I used the Parent Directed Feeding approach with my daughter and it has been wonderful. She began sleeping 6 and 7 hours a night by 6 weeks, then 8 to 10 hours a night by 9 weeks of age. She is a very happy baby who rarely cries more than 5 minutes a day. All of her needs are met, so she has no reason to cry. I felt more confident as a first time mother after reading this book. I always knew why my baby was crying. All I had to do was look at a clock. I have been told that my daughter is a joy to babysit, also. I have bought this book for many friends, now, and they are all success stories. I have not heard any complaints, only raves. The only thing I feel could be added to this book would be infant massage. Especially for women who are working full-time, this is a great way to relax and bond with your baby. It's important to know your child's body, promote circulation, and teach your baby. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: I got my life back--and the baby is happier too!
Review: I was very frustrated after the birth of my second child. She seemed to want to nurse every hour and hardly slept at all. A friend recommended this book and my immediate reaction was "what do I need another book for, I'm an experienced Mom." Once day, I just couldn't take it and I read the book cover to cover while the baby was in the swing. (It's easy reading). I started the technique that night and I noticed results the very next day! I got my life back and the baby is much happier too! Thank You Dr. Ezzo!
Rating:
Summary: This system works!!!
Review: I used the scheduling system recommended by this book and had a 7 week old baby that slept through the night (8 hours). Now, at 4 months, my child is eating every 4 hours (breastmilk only, so far) and sleeps 12 hours at night. I truly believe in the system this book describes. I don't know ANYONE who used this book whose child was not sleeping through the night at 12 weeks. However, I know several who decided the book was not for them and now have 1 and 2 year olds who wake up regularly. This system works (even with breastfeeding mothers who are constantly told to FEED ON DEMAND by doctors and lactation consultants) and is flexible enough to work with any lifestyle.
Rating:
Summary: Keep an open mind-try it & see if it works for you!
Review: My husband and I are both physicians, and we have not only read and tried Babywise, but have also read up on the various criticisms thrown at both the book and its authors. Due to the unique nature of this book, I feel compelled to cite in part the statements of 38 other readers (so far)who reviewed this book, not only to complement what I have to say, but so that others who have yet to read it may understand the book in its proper context. Of these 38 readers,20 rated it 5 stars, 8 gave it 4 or 3 stars, and 10 gave it 1 star. ALL 28 of those who rated it 3 to 5 stars HAD ACTUALLY TRIED OUT THE BABYWISE PRINCIPLES on their infants with varying degrees of success. Of the 10 1-star raters, only 3 specifically mentioned doing so (we don't know if the others did). The main objections of these 10 were its "letting parents go against their instincts" (mentioned by the three who tried it but didn't like it), "imposing a feeding/sleeping schedule", letting a baby "cry it out", its going against accepted child development principles, and incompatible religious connotations. On the other hand, the 3-5 star raters' gauge of success (as specifically mentioned)were an infant who slept through the night and /or was happy and contented. What do these tell us about the book? First, it is in one's best interest to try out Babywise first before passing judgment on it. Most will realize that it actually does work. It did for us. "Accepted/time-honored theories" are not necessarily rules of thumb, and do not necessarily always work. And principles which DO work, do not necessarily have to conform with these "long-established child development principles". No matter what the "experts" say, how can you argue with success? How can you explain why it works for so many? Second, in effect, what Babywise expounds are Principles, NOT rigid rules. What seems to be "rules" are merely detailed programs of instruction to assist the first-timer to the program. In time you don't have to follow them to the letter. In fact, the authors themselves have stressed "considering the context (of each situation) and being flexible". The parents have the prerogative to "follow their instincts" and modify things to suit the needs of their family, while at the same time still adhering to the basic principles and keeping track of their long-term objectives. And third, there are no guarantees that it will work for everyone. Babies/parents/families are different. It may work for some & not for others. Some may be comfortable with it, while others will not.BUT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU TRY IT OUT. If it doesn't work for you, or if you're not comfortable with it, why force the issue? Another method may be better for you. But it would not be wise to generalize that the method itself is a failure, since others may achieve success with it.
Rating:
Summary: He wrote it, we read it, we tried it, it worked!
Review: A co-worker with a new baby recommended this book. He said it worked "for him". As a first-time father I was amazed at how down-to-earth the suggestions were. My wife, who had two children before I met her, was interested in the "new ideas" suggested in the book. Since raising a baby is the most important thing to get right the first time, we were both impressed with the results. I have bought the book as a gift for expecting friends. They have also told me it works. The proof is in the pudding. Buy this book if you are a new, or expecting, parent. It works!
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