Comments on: Thoughts on Infant Training http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:19:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6183 Mary Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:37:43 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6183 Jess, thank you for your encouragement! ((Big hugs)) It's wonderful to have another mom who's BTDT to back me up. When people automatically associate this method with infant starvation and worse, it really bothers me, because in the majority of cases it works wonderfully. And, excuse me, but if your infant is failing to thrive or ends up screaming itself to sleep constantly, then you need to do something different! I guess it shouldn't surprise us that something this great is being attacked, since it promotes wellness w/in the family. Again, thanks for stopping by and taking time to add to this! Jess, thank you for your encouragement! ((Big hugs)) It’s wonderful to have another mom who’s BTDT to back me up. When people automatically associate this method with infant starvation and worse, it really bothers me, because in the majority of cases it works wonderfully. And, excuse me, but if your infant is failing to thrive or ends up screaming itself to sleep constantly, then you need to do something different!

I guess it shouldn’t surprise us that something this great is being attacked, since it promotes wellness w/in the family.

Again, thanks for stopping by and taking time to add to this!

]]> By: Jess @ Making Home http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6174 Jess @ Making Home Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:15:34 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6174 Hi Mary, Thanks for this post. This is something I haven't addressed on my own blog, as I haven't (yet) been blogging while having an infant. I know there are many nay-sayers, but I, too, am very thankful for being able to "read" my baby's cues (not just feeling like I have to nurse every time they cry), have a routine for my baby, and be able to (like you said) have sleep- glorious sleep - within 2-ish months of a newborn joining our family. I, like you, have been flexible with the schedule... but the cycle (eat/wake/sleep) is what makes it all work. And like you, I won't fault anyone else for their methods, but I'm thankful for one that makes everyone in the family-- baby, parents, and any siblings... much happier, much more rested, and makes life generally more predictable. Thanks for writing about a subject so many aren't willing to broach (no doubt because of utterly rude comments like Linda's). ~Jess Hi Mary,
Thanks for this post. This is something I haven’t addressed on my own blog, as I haven’t (yet) been blogging while having an infant. I know there are many nay-sayers, but I, too, am very thankful for being able to “read” my baby’s cues (not just feeling like I have to nurse every time they cry), have a routine for my baby, and be able to (like you said) have sleep- glorious sleep - within 2-ish months of a newborn joining our family.

I, like you, have been flexible with the schedule… but the cycle (eat/wake/sleep) is what makes it all work. And like you, I won’t fault anyone else for their methods, but I’m thankful for one that makes everyone in the family– baby, parents, and any siblings… much happier, much more rested, and makes life generally more predictable.

Thanks for writing about a subject so many aren’t willing to broach (no doubt because of utterly rude comments like Linda’s).
~Jess

]]> By: Home-Steeped Hope » More Thoughts on Infant Scheduling http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6167 Home-Steeped Hope » More Thoughts on Infant Scheduling Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:04:06 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-6167 [...] response to some questions at my other Infant Scheduling post, I’ve been emailing a mother of an almost three week old baby girl this week. Here’s a [...] [...] response to some questions at my other Infant Scheduling post, I’ve been emailing a mother of an almost three week old baby girl this week. Here’s a [...]

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-5966 Mary Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:53:46 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-5966 Dear Sharon, I'm so glad you're trying this way of scheduling, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me and my family. The key thing, besides being flexible, which you're remembering ;), is to keep to that feedtime-waketime-sleeptime schedule. Even if you can only keep your 2 week old awake a few minutes before he/she drifts off, that's good enough. Sometimes it's hard keeping them awake long enough to nurse at that age! And as far as "sleep props" go, don't get too worried about naps taken in swings and bouncy seats. My middle daughter just didn't sleep well in her crib till she was about 3 months old. I kept trying, but half the time she'd nap in her bouncy seat inside the crib. I think she needed her head elevated or something. I was SO worried she'd think she "needed" the vibration to lull her to sleep, but thankfully she outgrew it and adjusted to sleeping on her side in the crib just fine. FYI, I'd usually switch the vibrator to "off" after she dropped to sleep. Just some things to keep in mind, in case your baby gets to a point where they're fussing and it's time to sleep! As you can see, this subject recently got a beating here at my site. Unfortunate, as the Babywise book holds a lot of practical advice and has worked for many families. But it's always good to have a personal "check" about whatever method one chooses, God's given us these precious ones, and not a one of them comes with a "one-size-fits-all" care manual! I'd love to answer specific questions, and to help however I can. This is a subject near and dear to my heart! What did you have? A boy or a girl? Are you recovering well, getting enough rest? Is this your first? God bless, Mary Dear Sharon,
I’m so glad you’re trying this way of scheduling, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me and my family. The key thing, besides being flexible, which you’re remembering ;), is to keep to that feedtime-waketime-sleeptime schedule. Even if you can only keep your 2 week old awake a few minutes before he/she drifts off, that’s good enough. Sometimes it’s hard keeping them awake long enough to nurse at that age!

And as far as “sleep props” go, don’t get too worried about naps taken in swings and bouncy seats. My middle daughter just didn’t sleep well in her crib till she was about 3 months old. I kept trying, but half the time she’d nap in her bouncy seat inside the crib. I think she needed her head elevated or something. I was SO worried she’d think she “needed” the vibration to lull her to sleep, but thankfully she outgrew it and adjusted to sleeping on her side in the crib just fine. FYI, I’d usually switch the vibrator to “off” after she dropped to sleep. Just some things to keep in mind, in case your baby gets to a point where they’re fussing and it’s time to sleep!

As you can see, this subject recently got a beating here at my site. Unfortunate, as the Babywise book holds a lot of practical advice and has worked for many families. But it’s always good to have a personal “check” about whatever method one chooses, God’s given us these precious ones, and not a one of them comes with a “one-size-fits-all” care manual!

I’d love to answer specific questions, and to help however I can. This is a subject near and dear to my heart! What did you have? A boy or a girl? Are you recovering well, getting enough rest? Is this your first?

God bless,
Mary

]]> By: Sharon Bennett http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-5962 Sharon Bennett Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:33:00 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-5962 Mary, Would love to talk more about Babywise with you, I'm starting my 2 week old on it, of course being very flexiable, but would love tips, advice, etc Thank you Mary,

Would love to talk more about Babywise with you, I’m starting my 2 week old on it, of course being very flexiable, but would love tips, advice, etc

Thank you

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4573 Mary Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:35:35 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4573 I enjoyed reading about your experiences with nursing and infant sleep, Corrina! Thanks for sharing that there are other ways to get the same results. I'm not against other methods, such as nursing on demand and co-sleeping. I'm sure my blog posts seem like strong one-sided opinions. In sharing my experiences I don't intend for others with different ones to feel I'm judging them as wrong, or myself/my methods as right. Of course I wouldn't bother to write about it if I didn't think it was worth sharing, same as you with your concerns about the Ezzoes. I enjoyed reading about your experiences with nursing and infant sleep, Corrina! Thanks for sharing that there are other ways to get the same results. I’m not against other methods, such as nursing on demand and co-sleeping. I’m sure my blog posts seem like strong one-sided opinions. In sharing my experiences I don’t intend for others with different ones to feel I’m judging them as wrong, or myself/my methods as right. Of course I wouldn’t bother to write about it if I didn’t think it was worth sharing, same as you with your concerns about the Ezzoes.

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4572 Mary Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:26:38 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4572 No one can go wrong following Christ, and sure, I can see how off-putting it is that Gary Ezzo claims his parenting methods are "God's way". Whoever's way it is, it's worked well for us. But like I've said before, I don't follow it like the gospel of child-rearing. I'm a mom that in light-bulb moments follows my instincts and the advice that makes sense. Much of what the Ezzoes say makes sense to me and dh. Same thing with the Pearls. When something gives you great results you want to share it with others. That's simply what I'm doing here on my blog. I appreciate your concerns, and I've been sickened by what's on the net about the Ezzoes and Pearls, that some of it may be true I don't doubt. Some people are very stringent in following guidelines...and I probably don't agree 100% with all their doctrine/teachings. What I've adapted to use in my family has worked amazingly. That's all. No one can go wrong following Christ, and sure, I can see how off-putting it is that Gary Ezzo claims his parenting methods are “God’s way”. Whoever’s way it is, it’s worked well for us. But like I’ve said before, I don’t follow it like the gospel of child-rearing. I’m a mom that in light-bulb moments follows my instincts and the advice that makes sense. Much of what the Ezzoes say makes sense to me and dh. Same thing with the Pearls. When something gives you great results you want to share it with others. That’s simply what I’m doing here on my blog. I appreciate your concerns, and I’ve been sickened by what’s on the net about the Ezzoes and Pearls, that some of it may be true I don’t doubt. Some people are very stringent in following guidelines…and I probably don’t agree 100% with all their doctrine/teachings. What I’ve adapted to use in my family has worked amazingly. That’s all.

]]> By: Corrina http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4571 Corrina Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:19:59 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4571 I should probably mention that what I have done with my children was not really "demand feeding" or "parent led feeding". I nursed them when they showed signs of hunger (sucking hands, etc.) or when I felt let down and knew it was about time for a feeding, but I did not deny them comfort feedings either. Mine all (4 children) slept through the night by the time they were 2 months old. One of them slept for 11 hours straight almost from the time we brought him home from the birthing center. I let him because he was a good weight and didn't seem to be fussy or anything. Anyway, they all go to bed when they are supposed to and don't put up a fight and sleep through the night though my youngest does nurse to sleep most of the time at 17 months. I should probably mention that what I have done with my children was not really “demand feeding” or “parent led feeding”. I nursed them when they showed signs of hunger (sucking hands, etc.) or when I felt let down and knew it was about time for a feeding, but I did not deny them comfort feedings either. Mine all (4 children) slept through the night by the time they were 2 months old. One of them slept for 11 hours straight almost from the time we brought him home from the birthing center. I let him because he was a good weight and didn’t seem to be fussy or anything. Anyway, they all go to bed when they are supposed to and don’t put up a fight and sleep through the night though my youngest does nurse to sleep most of the time at 17 months.

]]> By: Corrina http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4570 Corrina Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:08:35 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4570 I do not follow Gary Ezzo. I follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have sincere concerns about anyone who claims that their parenting method is "God's Way". If God had a specific method for us to train our children to sleep it would be laid out for us in the Bible. I have listened to the Preparation for Parenting tapes and read Ezzo material and repeatedly found places where scripture was twisted in order to back what Ezzo feels is the best way to train babies. The point is it is Ezzo's method, and not God's. Some have even deemed Ezzo's materials and classes "cult-like". I would be extremely careful before subscribing to any of his "methods". Here is an interesting commentary on the subject: http://www.fix.net/~rprewett/concerns.html I do not follow Gary Ezzo. I follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have sincere concerns about anyone who claims that their parenting method is “God’s Way”. If God had a specific method for us to train our children to sleep it would be laid out for us in the Bible. I have listened to the Preparation for Parenting tapes and read Ezzo material and repeatedly found places where scripture was twisted in order to back what Ezzo feels is the best way to train babies. The point is it is Ezzo’s method, and not God’s. Some have even deemed Ezzo’s materials and classes “cult-like”. I would be extremely careful before subscribing to any of his “methods”. Here is an interesting commentary on the subject:
http://www.fix.net/~rprewett/concerns.html

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4544 Mary Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:02:04 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/07/thoughts-on-infant-training/#comment-4544 Thanks, Jessica, God allowed it, so I'm going with it! ;) Thanks, Jessica, God allowed it, so I’m going with it! ;)

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