Rating: 
Summary: Some good ideas, very rigid, not developmentally appropriate
Review: I used Babywise and Babywise II for my infant and recommend it to my friends as a guideline. I warn my friends that it is rigid and assumes children are inherently inclined to be bad and must be trained otherwise. I vehemently disagree. Although I still recommend these books to get some good ideas on structure and routine, my number one parenting resource is Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelson, particularly the birth to three years book, as that is what applies to us now. Instead of demanding obedience through conditioning and wielding heavy authority, it explains how to truly teach your children in a loving and non-punitive way while still being firm. Where did we get the idea that to make children behave better they have to feel worse about their current behavior? I consider myself a pretty strict parent, as Babywise advocates, but providing my children with the same respect I demand for myself is of the upmost importance. Ezzo gives me the impression that the goal is to get the child to answer "how high?" when I say jump. Of course I want my children to be well behaved, but I feel this comes naturally through modeling respect, teaching through natural and logical consequences, and providing responsibility within the family unit. Ezzo may think that anything less than total control is permissive, but I argue that well-behaved children are taught kindly and firmly to see the consequences of their actions, not simply trained to obey. Although he says that the goal is ultimately self control of the child, I feel that it is arrived at through conditioning, like one would a dog, not real teaching and respect.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't be so rigid in interpreting this book
Review: Babywise was recommended to me by a mother that was very satisfied with its results. My daughter is 14 months old now, and we are very pleased with the results from the methods described in the book. A key to interpretting this book (and the previous "On Becoming Babywise") is to not be too rigid and use your own common sense. When I started using his principles I was unsure of what I was suppose to be doing in regards to naps and sleeping for my infant. But if you just give it some time I think you will find the book very helpful. It helped me to distinguish when my child needed to eat and sleep. Just because a baby is crying does not mean that the baby is hungry. Prior to reading the first babywise book, I was frustrated with nursing almost non-stop all day. After establishing a schedule as instructed by Ezzo, me, my husband, and my child were much happier. There are some things in Ezzo's book that I don't use, simply because they do not fit into our lifestyle (we have a playpen, but don't use it for structured playtime). I love the Babywise series and recommend it to all of my friends that have children.
Rating:
Summary: this books takes a lot of guessing out of raising a baby
Review: A friend of mine gave me baby wise and I started reading it with a lot of interest. Once done with it I decided to try it and was glad i did. It took so much guess work out of my day. I usually knew exactly whether my baby was tired or hungry or just fussy. Putting him on a schedule was one of the best things I could have ever done for him. I was somewhat disapointed about some of the negative reviews wondering what ever gave them the idea that this book was training you to abuse your child. Give it a chance, read it and make up your mind for yourself. I found it incredibly helpful and the book leaves lots of room for flexibility within the suggested guidelines. No baby is the same and you will have to find the right balance for your baby, but you will find that it most likely does fit into the principles of the book. The bottom line is, it pretty much goes along with what my pediatritian tells me and is sometimes allowing even more time and more gentle introductions to new routines than my pediatritian recommends. And of course the proof is in the pudding, my baby is very happy and content, growing like a weed and hardly fusses at all. Give it a try, I think you will like it!
Rating:
Summary: This book was VERY helpful, & encourages parental assessment
Review: I don't know what version of the book other reviewers were reading that said to flick the children on the cheek, but the most recent version that I have states nothing of the sort and is more in-line with current correction methods. The most physical thing he states to do to the baby is to gently, but firmly squeeze their hand and if more correction is needed, to put them in their crib for 5 minutes for a 'time out'. Don't get scared away from reading this book or Babywise I. They both contain excellent information that has really helped me and my 6 mo old daughter. When I first started using the training suggestions, my daughter really responded well. As encouraged in Babywise I and II, I am consistent in what I will not allow her to do, and that provides her good boundries with eat, sleep and play activities. These were the first books that really outlined for me all the non-medical things I needed to do daily in order to "parent" my child.
Rating: 
Summary: Zero Stars!
Review: Gary Ezzo's own church has distanced themselves from the Ezzos and this dangerous book, whose breastfeeding information is inaccurate at best and dangerous at worst. Ezzo himself has quite the God complex.
Rating:
Summary: Abuse or common sense? You decide ...
Review: Almost everybody is passionate is saying this book is either abusive, or great common sense parenting that "works." However, not many people are actually saying what the books encourages. Here, then, are some examples: 1) Do not let a baby, six months or older, suck his thumb while awake. If you need to, flick his cheek hard enough for it to hurt, and say, "No, obey Mommy!" If he still tries to suck his thumb, put him in his crib and leave him there until he stops crying and stops sucking his thumb. 2) Don't let a baby of about six or seven months ever play with their food in any way, scream while they're in their high chair, or touch their hair while eating. If they do, flick them on the cheek. If they do it again, stop the meal and put them in their crib. 3)Teach your baby sign language for "please" and "thank you." If you know they want something (say, more food), do not give it to them unless they use the correct sign to ask for it. If they begin to get more upset (what the book calls a "power struggle," put them in their crib. 4) If a baby does not have "playpen time" every day, their growth and development will be stunted and harmed. 5) If a baby touches something they shouldn't, slap their hand. If this continues -- you guessed it! Put them in their crib. I see nothing helpful about this book. If you want a book about starting babies on solid food and such, there are many books written by medical professionals. If you want to teach your baby sign language (which I am), "Sign With Your Baby" and "Baby Signs" are MUCH better and more detailed on the subject. So many people have written that this book is wonderful, but are not specific about what they actually gained from it. I would love to hear it, because I cannot imagine what it would be.
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Summary: DANGER!!
Review: This book should come with a warning label! Destructive to your childs physical & emotional health! Ezzo parenting theory would be more appropriate for raising a pet dog than a child. Mothers must be encouraged to trust their natural instincts in regard to parenting, this book will foster insecure mothers & fearful, subserviant children. Love your children, stay away from this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Use your brain!
Review: I am amused by all of the people who claim the Babywise method constitutes child abuse. My husband and I read numerous books, none of which we followed to the letter, but have really applauded Gary Ezzo's anticipation of new parent questions. With the exception of a list of symptoms of an ear infection, we have found either a clear solution to our problem, or at least another option to explore. Ezzo clearly states that babies communicate through crying, always says if your baby is hungry to feed him, just warns against using the breast as a pacifier. Once we began listening to our daughter's cry instead of just assuming she was hungry we realized sometimes she wanted to be put DOWN and left alone. Our daughter has been sleeping through the night since 5-6 weeks, naps wonderfully, and is doing GREAT developmentally. She is able to entertain herself for short periods and is very responsive to us. I credit the Babywise method (PDF) for most of that. It takes a few days to get into the routine, but we think it's worth it!!
Rating:
Summary: Use this as a guide
Review: As new parents, my husband and I looked for some guidance on healthy infant sleeping information. Three of our friends, with children of their own of course, recommended this book. I had previously been reading the Dr. Sears's books (which are basically the opposite of Ezzo's). Babywise was very helpful to us in the area of understanding infant wake and sleep cycles.
By no means did we take this book word for word! Yes, sometimes you NEED to let your baby cry, but you also need to listen to your senses and your heart. You'll figure it out. Do what feels right. Babywise is helpful. Our daughter was sleeping through the night by three months.
Rating:
Summary: disgusting and selfish book
Review: There is no other way to describe this series of books than apalling. For those who are unfamiliar with Babywise, (as I was before reading "Book Two") be warned that this book advocates disgusting practices such as corporal punishment for infants (utilizing a "flexible" implement, like a glue stick, for "older" children) and plants ridiculous behavioral expectations on children. (Children should be able to sit "prim and proper" in their highchair by 8 months.) Those are just the tip of the iceberg. This book is full of absurd, and DANGEROUS advice from authors who lack any valid credentials or training. (Ezzo's background is theology) I implore any parent considering following this book to simply do some research. Search Engine results for "Babywise" will supply you with an endless supply of articles that explain the program's failings. Even the publisher, Multnomah, decided to sever ties with Ezzo in March of 2001, calling the book "dangerous." That's coming from people who were originally profiting from this book. Please... please don't subject your children to this (literal) torture.
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