Calling All BabyWise Parents.

Babywise is a dangerous philosophy. Babies eat when they are hungry. There is danger of feeding too much or, even worse, not enough if we do not follow their needs. A schedule is convenient for us, but it is definitely not the best for babies.

K.

Hi B.,
I think you are stressing yourself out for nothing! I had 4 kids and fed them when THEY were ready. Just go by what the baby needs. Let her sleep all she wants, eat when she wants etc. I freaked out the first baby and tried the schedule, but now I realize it was crazy! They all turned out great and we all slept better! She will eat when she is hungry I promise! Good luck
J.

Sleep is so important for babies, as their brain is working wonders and developing as they sleep. I would be sure to follow her cues. Some babies just need more sleep than others and you can't force her to follow a schedule that isn't right for her body. And, as she grows, you will need to adjust her schedule accordingly.

I think it is more important to follow a routine and pattern than a set schedule. With a routine, you are still helping your baby predict what will happen next and follow the same patterns throughout the day. But, babies change so much and so quickly that a strict schedule may not allow for her changing needs. I think babies definately need routines, but if you do decide to follow a schedule, just be sure that she is getting the amount of sleep she needs. And, as she goes through growth spurts, she may be hungry sooner than her scheduled time. That is something you may want to keep in mind as she grows.

Best wishes!

I'd let her sleep as long as she wants-she's only 6 weeks old! You're doing pretty well having her on a fairly reliable eating schedule. Most babies don't get near as much sleep as they really should and if you try keeping her awake longer than she wants to be, you're just going to end up with one cranky baby. To find a schedule that's going to work well for everyone (most importantly baby) you should remember to take her cues into consideration.

A routine is much more important than a schedule. If you watch the clock and are too rigid, you're probably in for a lot of upset. Just follow your baby's cues and respond accordingly. As adults, we love a schedule, but a baby's needs trump everything! Your little one will only be this little for such a short window, just try to enjoy it all. It will pass quicker than you can imagine! Don't stress out about it!

Ugh, I don't know why anytime someone asks about BW, people who did not do it feel the need to bash it. It's not dangerous if you do what it says, which is to follow their cues while trying to implement it. Anyway, off my soapbox. It's very surprising she can go 4 hours between feedings at that age, but if it seems to work and she's growing fine, great. BW says there should be "some time" they are awake. At that age, if it was 15 min. after her feeding, I counted it as some time. Sometimes they're just very tired so if she's staying away that long, more power to you. It's the general schedule that's good, not the speficif of any particular time. Sometimes it would get thrown off, and we'd just start over with the next 3 hour block. Every day was a little different. But it pays off great in the end. She started sleeping 12 hours a night at 3 months and still just goes right down like a champ. Good luck!

Our girl name with our third was Elliot, but he was a boy, so.....Patrick it is! Anyway, we've done babywise with all of our children and it seems to me that you're doing really well if your 6 wk old is staying up for an hour and a quarter or half. My experience is insufficient b/c mine didn't do the 4 hour feeding until a bit later. Seems like you're doing great. Baby is happy, mommy is happy, sounds like your great for now!

Dear B.,

I don't know what BabyWise is, but that's a very similar schedule that I kept for my daughter when she was that age. I too was worried that she was sleeping all the time, but she eventually grew out of that and was more wakeful the older she got--so don't worry and let her keep on sleepin'! My daughter is still a great sleeper though and that makes for one happy mommy! I do agree that feeding them on a schedule of 3-4 hours makes all the difference in the world, so keep it up!

I just want you to know that I think Babywise is a great system. Everyone that I know who has used it has had great success. The thing to remember though is you can adjust it to meet your needs. My friend could only keep her son awake for about 45 minutes and that included feeding time. When they are that young it is very hard to keep them awake for as long as the book suggests. Strangly enough, getting enough nap during the day makes them sleep more at night...don't know why. Keep up the schedule, it really does help.

Glad to see another BW parent on here (and not one who bashes it)!! As far as her wake time goes, I would just pay attention to her sleep cues. She'll let you know when she is ready for bed!

Here are some great BW resources that I use and would highly recommend. These mommies can give you some good advice too!
http://babywisemom.blogspot.com/ (awesome blog)
www.mayasmom.com (you will need to search for "babywise" and then ask to join the group. All types of questions like these are asked. Schedules are listed too. Very helpful.)

HTH!!

--T.

You are doing perfectly!

Glad to see there are still a few people around using BW. I used it on my daughter 2 and a half years ago and highly recommended it to a friend who told me how horrible it was and blah blah blah. My daughter slept through the night like a champ earlier than most (and in her own bed!) and still LOVES to go to bed. Whenever we go over to our friend's houses they are always amazed at how well she goes down as she doesn't need to be rocked or anything, she just goes to wherever I tell her is her bed and falls asleep. She has had the same routine since the day she came home from the hospital...with the exception of times of course.

Good Morning B.! Baby's sleep when they get tired that's for sure and if they don't they sure get cranky ;)
For example our 9 m/o gr son may wake up at 6 and have a bottle and go back to sleep again for maybe an hour or so. I bring both the Gr son's to our home around 8 if Zane is still sleeping when I get there at 6:30.
He plays on the floor, is in his walker or swing, and by 10 he is getting cranky. I know he is sleepy as he climbs all over me and won't be held one way or another. So I can lay him down with his paci and he goes to sleep. It may be for only 20-30 minutes but he goes to sleep.

His normal nap time (for me anyway) is 12:30 same time his older brother goes down. He has a 8 oz bottle and is out for up to 3+ hours. Both are up before 4 pm. Mom comes at 5. Between 4-4:30 Zane gets a 4 oz bottle and a jar of baby food. Around 5:45 / 6 pm he takes what Genné calls his Power nap, 20 minutes and he is bathed and in bed again by 8.

Babies do what they want to do, no matter what momma or gr ma's want or need them to do. Some days just aren't like what I described above. Some days it's completely opposite of the day before. I just go with the Flow. AND on those Days Boy, Corbin & I am singing She'll be coming around the corner when she comes. And we'll all RUN out to meet her when she comes, ;) I make up silly songs and Corbin never forgets. I started that song when he was 2 and we only did it maybe a week, we started singing it again over a month ago at his request. Sing Nana she'll be turning in the driveway when she comes...lol

Best of Everything to you B., I think you and little Ellie are doing great. How old are the girls now?

Always K.
Nana of 5

Let the baby sleep!! That is when their brains grow the most. Listen and tune into your baby's cues and everything will be okay. Rigid schedules are only trouble when it comes to young infants.

Sounds as though baby Ellie is doing exactly what she should. Remember she is still an infant and they sleep alot. She will be different from your two year old in her feeding and sleeping habits so don't fret. She's fine. Keep doing what your doing.
If you love to cook and want to make some extra cash, look up Pampered Chef on the web. It is a great program for SAHM to make some extra money and it involves cooking, eating, planning and the stuff that sounds like you like. Good luck and God Bless.

We did Babywise with two kids and it sounds like you are on track. You didn't have your naptimes in there but I assume you are getting three naps in or maybe more at this stage. The four hour feeding schedule is fine and I think 45 min to 1 1/2 hours awake is all you can expect at this age. Just follow Ellie's cues - if she seems a little overstimulated and sleepy before 1 hour and 15 minutes, you can lay her down. I think my kids were closer to an hour at this age but I honestly can't remember. Hope that helps.