anyone read gina ford's book?

[notsoslimnow]

hi wondering what people's thoughts were on her idea of putting baby down for a daytime nap on his own in his ''big cot''????

[hannah001]

I can't remember my thoughts on that in paticular - but I hated the book in general if that helps - load of regimented nonsense.

[rubles]

I don't think we are meant to talk about Gina Ford or her methods on here any more, (unless that has since changed??).. Don't think she is into freedom of speech...I shall stop there

[TrinityRhino]

that has since changed
she tryed to sue mn ubt finally shut up and went away

I think her book is a load of bollocks

take a deep breath and let your instincts speak to you

[compo]

I think it is a good idea to use trial and error
If your baby sleeps well in a moses basket then let him sleep there
But some like to flail their arms and legs around so might like a big cot
My lo's looked so little in the cot I preffered them in the moses basket until at least 6 weeks
They were both a cot by 12 weeks

[JuneBugJen]

are you allowed this on MN?

Did GF for both from age 6 months and it was a revelation. Its pants before then (for me) though

[TheDuchessOfNork]

never heard of her

[Buda]

I read the book and just took from it the bits that worked for me. I found her whole regime a bit too strict for me. I did put DS down for his naps in his cot as he slept better that way and I felt I got a break. Mind you he is now 7 and still sleeping with me so what would I know???

[foxytocin]

it is one thing for you to read and digest a baby care manual and buy into it.

it is another thing for your baby to read said manual and agree that this is the way to go.

[nopainnogain]

Why not put baby down in big cot if she´s happy to sleep there? Give it a go!

My DD1 was in her own moses basket for every nap from birth. I didn´t realise this is a bit unusual. Then I had DD2 who wasn´t put down anywhere for 6 weeks and had to be carried everywhere!

I liked GF personally. I think she´s ideal for parents who have absolutely no experience of babies. But following her routines to the letter is not a good idea, you need to "read" your baby more.

[cheesesarnie]

notsoslimnow-what are your thoughts on it?

i read the potty training book with was ok for pointers but none of the others.im more of a make it up as you go along so long as everyones happy person.

[compo]

agree with Buda, take the bits you want to use but don't regimentally folow her instructions, especially the ones where she tells you not to smile at your baby

[foxytocin]

we can talk about GF as long as we do not say libelous things and present inflammatory opinions. especially inflammatory ones with the words 'rocket' and 'Lebanon' in it.

[JuneBugJen]

Went wholesale for GF routine from 6 months as got confused when to feed, when to BF and when to do naps. It was great as it becomes less confusing and strict as you go along.

Tried to do routine early on for ds2, but couldn''t work out how to keep a 2 week old baby awake! Poke it with a stick?

Take what you want from it, there are good bits and bits.

[hannah001]

just had to google "mumsnet" and "gina ford" to see what the fuss was about

[Seabright]

I have the GF book (but no baby for another 8 weeks!) and I intend to try it. Several friends have given me the same advice "it's a bit over the top, but the basic ideas are sound and they work".

I personally like routine in my own life, I like the feeling that I'm doing the right thing and I know what needs doing soon and I know what I'm going to be doing next, so I think (assuming baby has also read book and likes it) it's the right approach for me.

That said, if I was a bit more of a free-spirit (would love to be, I just know I'm not that sort of person) it probably wouldn't appeal at all - horses for courses!

[MummyAnnabella]

like many others i took bits of GF and ignored other bits.

on the sleeping though i put ds down in moses basket or carrycot of pram for first 5 months or even let him sleep in carseat if out. this was great as i had such freedom and could go anywhere and he would still sleep.

once outgrown he had to always go down in big cot and my socail life was curtailed! no more long lunches/ coffees as day became dictated by naps! for your sanity you will need to go out.

[andiem]

the new cot death advice is that you try to keep the baby with you for daytime naps either in a pram or in a moses basket for the first 6 months
when they analysed the deaths of infants who died of sids in the daytime 75% were sleeping alone they think the same theories apply that relate to night time sleeping
here

[Rosa]

Nah found her books far to regimented and I felt as I was being addressed as a blatent idiot with no common sense- Some like them I prefer advise books not thou shall. But then we are all different.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

It doesn't matter what the parents read, every baby is different. GF suits some babies but not others. Mothers who have babies that suit it think of course its the GF factor. Mothers whose babies don't suit it think that GF is no good. (thats not libellous is it? 'no good'? )

GF has no children of her own, and as all mums of 2 or more know, every baby is different and one book cannot possibly suit them all.

I got her toddler book from the library and didn't even bother getting past the stage where GF instructs you to give new baby one breast at crack of dawn then spend 3 hours with your toddler, give other breast, put baby on kick mat for 3 hours till another feed...

Oh yes its all fab in theory isn't it?

[yomellamoHelly]

GF was a lifesaver with ds1, but started late and it took about 3 months to take. He was (and still is at 4 1/2 yrs) a lot happier with a routine. Started from day 1 with ds2, but there were times when it just wasn't happening. Useful for giving you a framework for how life could be imo, but not worth beating yourself up over if things don't always turn out as written. Also it doesn't have to be followed every day - you can go out for lunch etc a couple of times a week (here weekends are our wing-it days) if you want.

[poppy34]

had every intention of following this...but the book is still sitting partially read on the shelf as was a bit too detailed for me to follow so in end didn't get followd -ussed rachel waddilove/own initiative/baby whisperer instead

Am genuinely itnerested to know how GF people get on with sleep routine

[BroccoliSpears]

Gina who?

[penona]

I read GF and found it all a bit overwhelming, but loved another book called Baby Secrets which was much more gentle routine. Suited me well as I like the concept of a routine but am never quite organised enough to carry it off

What mummyannabella said is spot on. I finally got the DTs to have day time sleep in their cots around 5 mths and thought it was a revelation for about a week... then realised they wouldn't sleep anywhere else and was trapped in the house while they slept!!! (then I discovered mumsnet....)

In the beginning just do what feels right. I preferred mine sleeping in front of me in their bouncy chairs/pushchair so I could watch them and make sure they were OK. They also got used to sleeping through general house noise, which has been useful.