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Well first off I must say that this book is extremely weird. It was given to me as a 'gift' by someone who trying to be friendly. If you want a robot baby who does everything on command, when you command it then this book might be for you. But beware! If you have a life, then it will completely take it away from you! Basically this book encourages round the clock care and observation of your child to the 'nth degree' . Every hour is accounted for. The instructions are detailed but repetitive. You are basically sacrificing your life for your baby. If that's what you are happy to do then fine, go right ahead and follow the day by day, hour by hour guidelines. But , I tell you, has anyone really done it? I venture that it is quite impossible. And swaddling your new born baby in her cot? Really? We tried the first day and failed and from then on we made our own rules which have basically worked to this day (our baby is now 13 months and doing great - in fact most people say she is advanced for her age especially with her words). Try sticking to the books rules for say a month. I say it will drive you quite mad! The author says that "Every day is filled with opportunities for cuddling, playing, singing, reading, splashing in the bath, tickling toes while nappy changing and chatting to your baby." This is her defence when someone questioned the strict routine.
Overall score : 2 stars out of 5
Nevertheless, as in most bad books (and this is one - despite the sales numbers), there are a few nuggets of truth which I have highlighted and now write down for everyone :
(1) Overtired babies should be allowed to cry for 5-10 minutes in bed to settle themselves.
(2) Breast fed babies will need to be fed once in the night until they are 6 months old.
(3) Don't transfer the baby from one breast to another until the first is drained. Otherwise they will get just two lots of fore milk. The fore milk is low in fat and not so nourishing.
(4) Newborn babies should sleep 16-18 hours a day, therefore they need to be awake 6-8 hours during the daytime (7am to 7pm).
(5) You must differentiate between feeding, sleeping and social time. If you talk too much or have too much eye contact during feeding, he could lose interest. Don't use your phone while breastfeeding. It's selfish and not good for the baby.
(6) Even very small babies like to look at simple books.
(7) Babies need lots of cuddling, but it should be done when they need it, not when YOU need it.
(8) If your baby is sleeping well during the day, but starting to be more wakeful at night, then she needs to be awake more during the day. Obvious, but true.
(9) If your baby wakes during the night and a feed is not due, most babies, given the opportunity, settle themselves back to sleep. Do not give them another feed or rock them back to sleep as it could create long term sleep association problems.
(10) It is very important for the baby to be able to settle herself. The older the baby, the harder it becomes. Do not feel guilty or cruel if you have to allow a short spell of crying when your baby is going off to sleep.
(11) Letting your baby fall asleep in your arms is something to be avoided AT ALL COSTS. This will end up in disrupted sleep times. Wake the baby and take her to the cot semi-awake, so she falls asleep in the cot by herself. It is essential that a baby goes to her cot awake or semi-awake and learns to settle herself. Otherwise, your baby will end up with a long term sleep problem. IMPORTANT!!!
(12) With older babies when you have to leave the room or go outside : A hug and a kiss and a verbal reminder that you will be back soon is sufficient. Most children will easily distract in the hands of a competent carer. Try to avoid sneaking off. This will make the child become confused and clingy for fear of you vanishing again.
(13) Sleeping problems. The Core Night Method : Once a baby sleeps for a longish spell during the night (for example 5 hours from 8pm to 1 am) then he should never be fed again during those hours. If he wakes during those hours, he should be left for a few minutes to settle himself back to sleep. If he refuses to sleep then try some gentle patting or offer a sip of water (or a dummy). Within days, your baby should be sleeping for those core hours at least. If he extends another hour (to 6 hours in the example) then those are the new core hours.
(14) Don't worry if your baby doesn't want to finish her food. They will always eat what they need. Don't give too large portions.
(15) Introducing finger foods and allowing him to eat part of his meal by himself (regardless of the mess), will make him much more inclined to take the remainder from you from a spoon.
(16) Giving too many snacks between meals, especially hard to digest foods like bananas and cheese can often take the edge of a babys appetite.
(17) Overstimulation just before bedtime is obviously a bad idea. There should be a quietening down period of say, 1 hour, before bedtime. Read them a story.
(18) Try to avoid using nightlights. All humans sleep better in a dark room and should get used to it as early as possible.
(19) The majority of first babies manage to get through the first year without suffering coughs and colds. This is not true for second or third babies.
(20) If your baby develops a cold or a cough, then he should be seen by a doctor. Regardless of how mild it appears.
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