Suitable and gentler alternative to Gina Ford

[MyDearSweetSummerChild]

Hi ladies

I’m looking for recommendations of alternative books to Gina Ford’s content little baby and toddler. I have a 2.5 yr old and due next baby in a little over a month.

My MIL - bless her, she meant well, has bought me the Gina Ford book to read think of it would be about transitions from 1 to 2 children and how to make it easier on Toddler and baby.

Unfortunately, I don’t really approve of the practices of leaving a baby to cry, don’t believe a baby uses tears as manipulation etc so the book has been closed at around page 25.... but I appreciated the gesture and I don’t want to be disrespectful so hoping there could be an alternative I could read and share with Husband/ MIL to read instead?

Thanks

The new Sarah Ockwell-Smith book is much gentler and about your situation - it is called "The second baby book"

Anything by Sarah Ockwell Smith

Page 25?

Did you actually read the main part of the book, which is simply lists of routines for the ages and stages?

GF does not advocate leaving baby to cry

@bookgirlj1982 @stillworkingitout

Thanks I’ll check her out

@Preggosaurus9
Sorry, no I was being flippant, I’ve actually read quite a bit of it, I just don’t agree with some of her approach. I’m not bashing her.
There was a comment (not a direct quote) which said something like once baby is fed, changed and burped their needs were met.

Like I say, not bashing her at all, and I’m sure she’s been helpful to a lot of people, I’m just looking for a gentler alternative to the strictness.

Have a look at the little ones sleep programme. I paid £30 for their downloadable guides (which are unlocked so although it's a little immoral you could share it with a friend as it's a bit more expensive than a book). They are amazing. They offer a much clearer view of a typical baby day or what you should be aiming for which I found really helpful and lots of trouble shooting, none of which is CIO. I love it. It's also helped DD to be the first in the nct group to sleep through from the worst sleeper of the bunch because now she knows when feed times are and is hungry and ready. I would really recommend it. They also coordinate it with older ones so the idea is they both nap at similar times to give you a break. They're on Facebook or a quick Google search will find them.

I’m pretty sure Gina Ford’s baby book contributed to PND with my first child. I had a friend whose baby adhered very closely to the prescribed schedule but felt like an utter failure that mine wanted to cry all the time and be held all the time and couldn’t go ‘long enough’ between feeds. Sarah Ockwell Smith gives good explanations for typical baby and child behaviour. Her sleep book is good, the gentle discipline book is also good. My two were born before the second child book but I expect it is also very useful

You might get on better with the No Cry Sleep Solution or the Baby Whisperer.

My husband read a chapter of Gina Fords contented baby to me at 3am when our then 4 day old screamed for 4 hours.

I'm not pandering to those who say she's a genius; her book is dangerous and full of batshit ideas that will only work if you've got a nanny, a housekeeper and a personal chef!!!

Nb: he read me the chapter to give me a giggle!!

Rachel Waddilove's bookis great. Or the baby whisperer. Found them both useful.

Another vote here for the baby whisperer. I actually followed the Gina Ford timings but ignored the rest of it. My first went along well with the strict routine, my second was a bit less structured but they still both had the two hour naps at lunchtime and went to bed at 7pm etc but the ethos was all baby whisperer.

Honestly I don’t get these books. The best thing to do is not let the baby cry out in distress at all but anticipate their needs (possible after a few weeks) and work with their routine. It is harder work but the babies I know who have had this experience tend to be far, far more secure as they get older & tend to skip the clingy stage between 9-12 months. They are also less likely to tantrum in their terrible twos.

The No Cry Sleep Solution for Newborns

Siblings Without Rivalry

Have defo heard good things about Ockwell-Smith too, I just prefer Elizabeth Pantley's tone. They say similar things if I read correctly.

Like anything, you can take from Gina Ford what you wish. I used the book, had a similar opinion to you and decided to just follow the feeding and sleeping patterns, although i’m not sure either of mine were in a true routine until around 4 months.

Even when following the routines, I felt if all naps were in their cot it would have been super restrictive, so again, I made that work for us.