Chronicles of a Babywise Mom

A Breastfeeding Journey with Babywise

A Breastfeeding Journey with Babywise. Breastfeeding can absolutely work with Babywise. Here is one mom's journey on how she did both.

I often hear silly myths surrounding breastfeeding, as if there is only one right way to breastfeed (hint: the la leche league way). However, I have successfully breastfed all of my babies.

Babywise: So Much More Than Schedules and Sleep Training!

Babywise: So Much More Than Schedules and Sleep Training!. How to work to make Babywise work for you and your family situation.

My little brother is a smart guy, but he has always hated reading. He is actually proud(!) of the fact that, at 34 years of age, he’s never owned a library card and can count on his fingers the number of books he’s voluntarily read. So you can imagine my shock when, soon after I announced my pregnancy, he gave me a book. It was called “On Becoming Babywise”, and he swore by it, explaining that this was the secret behind his two boys’ good behavior, discipline, and happiness. I read it and knew right away that our family would be following its principles.

7 Success Stories from Babywise Moms

The Success and Benefits of Babywise from Real Moms. Seven moms tell their recent Babywise successes.

If I love hearing one success story, then I even more love hearing success from several moms all at once. In this post, I have compiled success stories shared by seven different Babywise Moms.

Babywise Gives the Gift of Sleep for Any Child

Babywise Gives the Gift of Sleep for Any Child. Babywise works for all types of babies.

I have six children. Five of those are mine by birth and all five of those I have had the privilege of parenting since birth have been raised with Babywise and the subsequent books (Pretoddlerwise, Toddlerwise, Preschoolwise, and Childwise). In fact, I am overdue to read Teenwise for my now-10 year old!

I cannot say enough what a blessing this book has been to me and my kids! I find over and over again that when I follow the principles my children are happier, calmer, and just more fun to be around. Because, let’s face it, tired, cranky babies aren’t nearly so fun as well-rested ones! And obedient(ish) toddlers are far more enjoyable than disobedient ones.

My youngest baby is now 7 months old. He was my latest to sleep through the night (defined as sleeping from at least a 10pm dreamfeed until 7am), but even so he was sleeping comfortably an 8+ hour stretch by 13 weeks old. Oh, and he has reflux. In fact, three of my Babywise babies have had reflux and all slept through the night by 3 months old.

For those who think Babywise only works for babies who are naturally good sleepers, here is our baby breakdown using terminology from The Baby Whisperer as well as my own observations :)

Babywise Success Happens Over and Over Again

Babywise Success Happens Over and Over Again. Babywise goes beyond baby sleep!

It is that time of year I love: the Babywise Success Stories Week! I fully love reading the successes, small or large, that you are experiencing. I think it is for two reasons. One is I get so many inquiries from parents looking to solve problems. In short, I hear a lot about problems and not a lot about the wins. Another reason I love it is to see that all of the time and effort spent here on the blog is absolutely worth it. You are implementing the principles found in Babywise and seeing success through it. I love that!

Each year as we start this week, I think about my own successes. A major goal of parents when they first turn to Babywise is typically getting baby to sleep. That is what they are worried about and what they need fixed. I was that same parent. Good sleep is what made me turn to Babywise. As I read through the book, I quickly realized the focus of the authors was far beyond sleep. Sleep is great, vital even, but it is just a small part of the focus and possible success of Babywise.

Surviving the Fourth Trimester

How to Survive the Fourth Trimester. How to make it through those newborn months and thrive as a mom, recover from birth, and enjoy your new baby.

The fourth trimester refers to the first 3 months postpartum. During this time, baby is adjusting to life outside the womb, and mom, dad, and big siblings are adjusting to baby being added to the family. And newborns grow and change so much during this time! They are ever changing, which means mom and dad are kept on their toes. Following my fourth trimester rules will help you cope with all the change!

My two rules for the fourth trimester:

Go slow
Take care of yourself and your baby

Here are some ways I abide by those two rules:

Understanding and Accepting Sleep Needs in Babies

Understanding and Accepting Sleep Needs in Babies. How knowing what your child's sleep needs are will help you be a better mom.

Whenever you read about how long your child should be sleeping, you will notice there is a range given. Night sleep should be 10-12 hours. Naps should be 1.5-2.5 hours long (unless it is a catnap, and then it may be only 30 minutes). Despite that range being given, moms tend to fixate on the larger number.

I often get concerned questions from moms because their child is "only" sleeping ten hours at night and they can't figure out how to get to that 12 hour mark. I always remind them, ten is in the normal range. Ten may be enough for your individual baby.

Of my four children, two have been low sleep needs and two have been high sleep needs. Understanding and accepting that there are different sleep needs is very freeing to you as a parent. Once you realize your child has low sleep needs and doesn't need as much sleep at night nor as long of naps in the day as a high sleep needs baby, you will be able to relax and just enjoy motherhood so much more.

How Healthy Sleep is Possible from Birth Through Older Children

How Healthy Sleep is Possible from Birth Through Older Children. You can have healthy sleep at all ages. You start with a strong foundation and then hold strong to it.

Healthy sleep is a worthwhile goal for your baby. Once you have worked to get that healthy sleep for your baby, it is absolutely worth holding fast to it through the toddler years, preschooler years, elementary years, and teenage years. Then you send your child off into the world as an adult who knows how to sleep. That may sound silly, but when you look at the rising number of prescription sleep aids, you know sleep is a skill that is indeed valuable.

Nap and Bedtime Concerns for Preschoolers

Nap and Bedtime Concerns for Preschoolers. How to know when to drop naps all together and what to do if your child stays up playing in bed past bedtime.

Sleep concerns and questions do not end when your child leaves babyhood behind her. You continue to wonder when to drop naps and worry about how quickly they fall asleep. These issues are both being addressed today.

Ideas for Establishing Good Sleep Habits and Dropping to One Nap

Ideas for Establishing Good Sleep Habits and Dropping to One Nap. Get great sleep from the beginning and continue those habits into the toddler years.

Something I never regret as a parent is that I spent time and effort on setting up healthy sleep habits. I never said, "Wow, I wish my toddler didn't take naps still" or "Hmm...I sure would like it if my 4 year old didn't have a rest time each day." I never shake my head that my 13 year old goes to bed and a reasonable hour each night. I never sit in jealousy when I hear the other moms talking about how their jr. high student is up until midnight each night and they can't get him/her to go to bed.

Nope.

I always think to myself, "I am so glad I worked on those sleep habits from the beginning." Sleep difficulties don't end at some magical age one day. The child who fought sleep as a 7 week old, naps as a 2 year old, and beditme as a five year old is not a teenager who says, "Oh, you want me in bed by 9 PM each night? Okay." Yes, some of those magical unicorn children will exist, but most maintain the habits put before them as babies unless those habits are changed at some point.

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