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Summary: Beware of this book!
Review: This book does have a few good suggestions that I have used, but for the most part it seems to be very rigid and developmentally inappropriate. The authors do not seem to have expertise in most of the areas in which they offer advice, and their suggestions are not backed up with examples and research. I have grave concerns about ignoring and "isolating" a young BABY in their crib because they threw some food off their highchair. I certainly advocate for some structure in children's lives, and believe in establing and enforcing limits and boundaries. However, this needs to done within the context of understanding the child's stage of development. All a young baby is going to learn by not being fed when they are hungry or being punished when they are exploring is to be submissive, "give up", and feel they are not worthy of having their needs met. The authors may label this as a "good child", because they are quiet and obedient, but really they are probably kids who have given up on expressing their needs. This book advocates an inappropriate and potentially damanging system of response to a young child's needs. There is nothing wrong with reading it, and using the few little bits of good advice that are sprinkled throughout the book. Beware of the bulk of the advice though, use your own common sense and meet the needs of your young child in a loving and responsive way.
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Summary: This book treats children like property not human beings!
Review: In regards to the reviewer who said this book teaches children to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you": Think about this statement.You want children to treat others as they would like to be treated.But, how, by spanking children, forcing their hands away while being fed, and other tactics teaching children to treat others with respect? It seems if you want to teach children to treat others kindly and with respect, shouldn't we not treat them the same way? How else will they learn respect and other good habits unless we teach them correctly? A child can't learn to respect others unless he himself is treated with respect! And, they can't respect themselves either.If you want a child who treats others with respect, then treat him with respect! THAT is how they learn.
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Summary: We're talking about BABIES here!
Review: I would just like to encourage parents to start using ocmmen sense and their instincts when deciding how to treat their children. It's fine to read books about baby and child care, but when a book recommends taking food away from a 4 month old because he is playing with it, a big red flag should go up. Children who are 5 or 6 months old simply do not have the cognitive aiblity to understand why you are taking food away or why you are allowing him to cry for an hour when all he needs is to be held. What you are teaching your child when you employ these methods is that you as a parent and the world in general are not trustworthy or loving enough to take care of his needs. The most important lesson for babies is learning that they are loved and will be taken care of. Their needs are simple, food and affection. When we take these away what are we left with to give them? Babies do not require discipline. Follow your instincts and give them the love and attention you promised when you conceived a child in the first place. The babywise books may seem innocuous because they make life easier on the parent, but that should not be the main goal of parenting, and in recommending that it be so, the Babywise books are off track and esentailly stealing from chldren what is their birthright. Terrible book, terrible advice.
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Summary: I totally agree with emailval's review of this book.
Review: This is a VERY rigid book. My 7 month old son sleeps through the night and has since he was about 8 weeks old (with a couple exhausting weeks around 12 weeks old), however, he never woke up very much to begin with. He would only wake up about 3 times during the night the first week home from the hospital. Naps are another story. If I put him in the crib and he has not indicated that he is sleepy (pink eyes, rubbing his eyes, yawning, etc.) he will cry for an hour (or more, but an hour has been all that I have allowed). Some days he hardly naps at all. All children are not the same, and you can't train them the same. I dislike that this book indicates that you either use this method or you will have a "bad" child. My parents didn't have this book, and I think that I turned out fine.As for discipline, if you are having to "swat" an 8 month old, then you are not monitoring your child well enough. Hello, we're talking about an 8 month old BABY! A baby should not have access to a plant, or a figurine, stereo equipment, etc. That's not to say they can't crawl around in the living room, but you should be there with them to stop inappropriate behavior. The play pen would be a better place for a baby that you aren't going to watch closely. This book does have some good ideas, but you have to use your common sense.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much
Review: I love the 'On becoming babywise' book, it really worked with my six month old son. He's been sleeping throught the night since he was 6 weeks old. So naturally I bought the second book with high hopes and was really dissapointed. I feel like I'm only suppose to love my son if he's well behave (all the time!) or I'm setting him up to be a difficult person later on. The feeding and sleeping plans are still really good but don't take the discipine part too seriously. Come on, we're talking about little kids here.
Rating: 
Summary: On Becoming Babywise
Review: This book is an excelent resource in guiding your children into sleeping through the night and in much needed morals and values. We loved the book because it gave a guide on how to raise morally responsible children beginning at birth. It helped us to understand our baby's cries and establish our biblical position as parents. We always had an answer to our questions as first time parents ar our fingertips. And yes our boys both slept through the night at 8 weeks and at ages 3 & 18 mos. have great naps and STILL sleep through the night.
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Summary: Before using this book, try a little experiment
Review: Before you use BABYWISE, try an experiment on yourself Reviewer: heidiht from florida Try not to eat or drink anything - not even a sip of water - for at least 7 hours - that's basically the equivilent of a night's sleep, isn't it - and see how happy and comfortable YOU are. And you're a grown-up, not a little baby with a tummy the size of his tiny tiny fist. Babies learn only what they are taught, and if they are taught that babies should be ignored, that their needs, including hunger, should not be met, then they'll think that the feeling in their tummy, or the coldness of their tears on their cheeks (once they are a few weeks old and have tear ducts which allow them to cry real tears) are to be expected, then they will never ever learn that their parents are there to love and cherish and support them. My seven month old son sometimes sleeps for 5/6 hours straight, and sometimes, he wakes up every 90 minutes (especially when his gums hurt from teething) and when he does, I or his father go into his room to take care of him, and he loves us, and trusts us, and has already started walking, and is always very alert and perky during the day, except right before his naptimes, which happen at about the same time each day - we certainly can plan our lives around them. And he knows that we'll be there for him.
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Summary: How to turn your child into a well-behaved pet
Review: The parents who rave about this "method" of child-rearing are obviously more interested in having their children perform, behave, and, ultimately, FEEL like pets rather than cherished and unique individuals. I was shocked, dismayed, and ultimately sickened by the things this book advocates. To those who say, "It works!" I say, "Probably. But at what cost to your child in later life?" The reason it works is because by ignoring a child's valid and real needs you crush their spirit, until they become so certain that no one will answer them that they simply give up and stop trying, often to the point of Failure to Thrive Syndrome. There are excellent reasons that the American Academy of Pediatrics, La Leche Leauge, and the American Medical Association (among others) have condemned this book and its "methods". If you love your children, if you want them to thrive and not just "obey" like little robots, please don't follow the "advice" in this book.
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Summary: Principles are Biblical
Review: I am shocked to read reviews which says that God is loving and therefore Mr Ezzo's principles to "neglect" the baby is unbiblical. I have used the Babywise method on my baby since she was one month old and I'm very happy that I did. Christians who claim that they must give in to their babies every time they cry, because they love their babies, obviously have overlooked the fact that our babies like us, are born in sin. Didn't David say that he was "conceived in sin" and that "I was shapen in iniquity"? It is Original sin that makes all mankind including babies, sin. And because of this sin, we do sinful things. So a baby demonstrates characteristics such as impatience, stubbornness, etc. It is the parents' duty to teach and correct such behaviours. Also, it is wrong to say that denying thnigs to our babies is neglecting them. We do it for a higher purpose. Yes, God loves us but He also deny us things that are not appropriate for us. He also chastens us because He loves us. God denies us certain things for a higher purpose. Sometimes we will not know the purpose until a much later time. Didn't He deny King David the privilege of building the Temple? Didn't He deny Paul of removing the thorn in his flesh? Paul pleaded 3 times! And yet God denied him, saying that "My grace is sufficient for you". God still loves Paul, but He has denied this healing. Likewise, I hope Christian parents who truly believe and want to obey the Bible, please have your long term goal in mind.
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Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: This book is an excellent resource for parenting. The poor reviews I have read on this site make it evident that those people never read the book. The references to child abuse in other reviews are ABSURD! This book emphasises fostering a loving relationship with your child, and encourages parents to use the same teachings that Jesus offered us: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This method teaches children to think about their actions and how they will affect others around them. It in no way implies that your child should be trained like a pet. Please don't listen to the extremists who negatively criticise this book. They clearly never read it.
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