Gina Ford yay or nay?

[Tracy551162]

Just finished reading the Gina Ford Comtented Little Baby book and have to say that everything she says is very logical and makes full sense. She writes and explains everyhting in a very structured way and I found it is very easy to follow.

I am now looking at The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg and I find that book so unstructured and random, but so far she is saying the same as Gina Ford bar the odd bit here and there.

I think I am going to try with the Gina Ford method, but obviously adapting for my and my baby's own needs, and without getting in a flap if I get behind schedule.

Has ayone else read these books or tried to work by them with their babies? Am I completely mad even mentioneing the name Gina Ford? I've had a lot of negative reactions from friends, who say she's a baby nazi - most of them haven't even read the book though.

Thanks.

Sorry to be thick but what is a troll? Is it like a fake mnetter? I am very dense when it comes to these things!

Read Dream Babies and you will not trust a "baby guru" again be they a routine fan or an attachment fan. Listen to their ideas but ultimately just do what works for you. Go with your instincts.

Very true Broguemum!

A big fat NAY from me for about a zillion reasons. Mainly, though, because it's all a load of BOLLOCKS.

I know the one you mean and I think he might be fussy with high financial needs - but seriously I think everyone should do whatever they want with their children short of satanic sacrifice. I don't think being a professional nanny is necessarily a worse perspective than being a father. TBH I personally know very little about children and could not possibly advise anyone and I've been living with them for years now....

BTW WTF is a "drawsheet"?

Meand - A troll is someone who posts specifically to cause a bit of controvercy.
sometimes regular Mners will "troll" as a bit of a laugh but genuine trolls do it justto cause trouble and upset.

given MN's history with the GF, it is obviously likely to cause people to be suspicious.

Oh I totally agree, i'm not saying I follow his methods at all! Just that I find it hard to believe that anyone can write a book on children without having them. I personally think people should let the baby set the routine. These books are fine if that's what you want to do, or are capable of doing, which i am clearly not! We had no routine except bedtime routine until ds was about 5 months and even then it just sort of 'happened' and we realised that we were doing these things at roughly the same time each day. We didn't intend it to be that way.

Erm yes I guess I am a newbie - we all have to start somewhere, but I have started and finished all in one thread by looks of things and feel very very small indeed. I will go away and think about what I have done - with all the sniggers I guess something quite serious.

Meandmyjoe thanks for your helpful post.

Ah thanks for clearing that up Mamazon. I really didn't know people do it on purpose. Seems very odd!

Tracy, GF accused MN of libel or summat and MN had to apologise. So she's a bit of a sensitive subject round here.

Ahhhh Tracey. Once you google Gina Ford and Mumsnet you will TOTALLY understand where we are all coming from. Great first thread though

no, come on ,we ARE a nest of vipers surely?

Lighten up!

You've done yourself a favour by starting with a thread like this. You get a good idea of what mumsnet is about, and instant notoriety. Bingo!

dooooon't gooooooooo o !!!

you have committed two cardinal sins, but now you have got them out of the way, the world is your oyster ! keep posting

Bless you Tracy, I really don't think people meant to make you feel bad. In all seriousness, it's entirely up to you luv. If you think you can stick to a routine then go for it. You may see some of the benefits that my fmore organized friends have seen! How old is your baby?

You have done nothing wrong Tracey but given our quite highly publicised legal wrangle with GF many would jump to teh conclusion that you were aware of it.

No need for you to feel small. In fact you have just had your first flaming on MN, it means you are no longer a "newbie"

try jumping in on some less controvercial threads - maybe on the pregnancy topics for the time you are due?

a drawsheet is a sheet for a draw so you can shut your baby in a chest of drawers when you have finsihed for the day - I think!!

Oh but if your staying i would suggest a namechange - some round here judge posters withh less imaginative names rather harshly.

Tracy don't leave.

If you didn't know the history between MN and GF, and why would you if you're new, then it's a perfectly valid question.

(Basically, GF tried to sue MN after less than complimentary posts were seen on MN. MN settled out of court, IIRC)

To your original question, i think her methods can be useful, but be open minde until your baby arrives. My baby was sleepy, and lethargic, with very little appetite. Her routines suited us as it prompted him to feed at regular intervals whereas he didn't on his own.
Once he got to about 10 weeks old, his own routine evolved, which was slightly different to Gina's but it worked for us.

Many, even most, babies have a much clearer idea of what they want to do though, and this may or may not fit in with Gina.

Be prepared to go with the flow when your LO arrives and you'll do just fine.

Mamazon - gently gently Poor girl with be off to join if we are not careful

Oh dear lord - NOOOO

that site is freaky deaky