in wanting to burn the baby whisperer book!

[Littleknight]

Hi

I've just had a few days of tears and self doubt in my role as a mummy to my gorgeous 4 and a half month old baby after reading the baby whisperer book.

Until now I've always bf DS on demand and until recently we were co-sleeping. He had moved to his cot in his own room very well but I was BFing him to sleep then putting him in. I wanted to get him used to falling asleeep more independently rather than dropping off on the boob! I also felt that I needed a bit more of a feeding routine - but not a really regimented GF style one - SO I started reading the baby whisperer. Big mistake in hindsight!
I used the BW pick up/put down strategy to settle DS which is fine but then I started reading more of the book ....big mistake
DS sleeps well at night once settled but will only nap for about 30 mins at a time during the day usually totalling 2ish hours over the day. I'd never really worried about this before reading the stupid book - but according to BW this type of napping is a sleep problem. I've just spent 2 days 'observing' my DS (as the book recommends) and basically misinterpreting his every move and sound for overtiredness and overstimulation.
After a tearful chat with my mum and heeding her wisdom to chuck the book I feel normal again and am enjoyng my baby again instead of feeling guilty and inadequate.
I sure BW works for some but it's going in the bin!

I tried the BW but found it too wishy washy and felt I needed more help .GF was too strict and made most of my friends feel like poo.So I got Baby Secrets -Jo Tantum .It's sensible gives you options!!!and also answers.My son thrived on it and it made me feel that I wasn't going mad.I think using a book to guide you helps but also your mummy instinct,but of course being a zombie you question that ,so being able to refer back to something is very reassuring

Just got the 'solves all your problems' one, and although I'm not convinced about EASY being easy, there are loads of helpful hints and tips, and I've learnt a lot already. I'm not BF-ing, so not read that bit - perhaps that's why I like it (so far).

As eve says "I just knew I didn't want to do any sort of crying it out, or on the hour feeding (ala GF), and I wanted a good bedtime routine, and I found all three of those in the BW.

Don't follow it to the letter...take what you like, and lump the rest."

Ya bvvvu Youve just got no imagination!

If a book makes you feel that bad burning is too good for it. Jump up and down on it, rip it up throw it out the window and kick it around a bit, run over it in the car several times before burning it. books are meant to help not make you feel bad.

babies and mums are all different. what works for one doesn't work for all.

The only useful thing in it is the EASY structure which worked for us.

Do whatever works for you. As someone said to me, you can read all the books you want - but your baby hasn't read them!