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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Not sure where to ask about this awful terrible baby advice you have published?

280 replies

ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 20:25

www.mumsnet.com/babies/features/developing-a-routine

What on earth?

Mumsnet advice pages used to be reasonably balanced and evidence based. Saw this shared on Facebook and wondered wtf someone was thinking?

Make it stop before someone tries this bollocks on their new baby!

OP posts:
IthinkIamsinking · 06/08/2016 22:04

Sorry..... missed that accidental Smile

accidentalpirate · 06/08/2016 22:04

Cross post ridiculous. Giggling away in the crow's nest now. Grin

53rdAndBird · 06/08/2016 22:04

From Mumsnet's own Babies: The Mumsnet Guide book:

"Similarly, the choice between demand-feeding and various off-the-peg routines can feel horribly over-laden with significance. Some routines seem to promise that they will make your baby happy and healthy, that they will set her up for a life of success and wellbeing, that they will make her sleep through the night. And so you squint at the book, which may be full of pseudoscientific charts and tables, convinced in your heart that you are ruining your baby's life because you cannot make her sleep for an hour in a darkened room at mid-morning..."

BertieBotts · 06/08/2016 22:04

YY to FusionChefGoeff

Original poster
ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 22:05
OP posts:
accidentalpirate · 06/08/2016 22:05

It's all good me hearty (ithink) Smile

catinthecradle · 06/08/2016 22:07

I have a question (and I really am not sarcastic but genuinely puzzled)
What do you people mean by "current guidelines"?

Is it the advice on the NHS website? I read it, but it's not much!

I have never been given any advice about my babies. I left hospital without any clue or idea, I have never been given advice by midwife or anybody. In my personal experience (of course limited) midwives disappear once you have given birth. I went to so-called baby clinic, to check the baby weight, but in a room full of mothers waiting their turn, barely exchanged more than a couple of sentence with the ladies weighing the babies.

I was so lost with my first because I stupidly thought I would get some guidance in hospital - based on friends experience in other countries where they are shown how to feed, bath and spend a few days going through the basic for the first few weeks.

NeedAnotherGlass · 06/08/2016 22:09

Bloody awful advice!

There's nothing wrong with wanting a routine, but that is presented as THE way to create a routine, and it's just nonsense. There are lots of other ways of doing it that work just as effectively.

FoxesSitOnBoxes · 06/08/2016 22:09

People saying that it worked for them - can you not see that it won't be the answer for everyone and that presenting it as such isn't really helpful?

Muskateersmummy · 06/08/2016 22:09

I don't read it as only feed between 3-4 hours. It says try to, so if baby wakes at 2 hours and is obviously hungry you would feed, but if baby is still asleep at 4 hours wake and feed it. I don't think anywhere in the article does it advocate not feeding a hungry child. It does also state that all children are different and you should bare this in mind.

As with any advice it has to be used with a degree of common sense.

catinthecradle · 06/08/2016 22:11

Star As with any advice it has to be used with a degree of common sense. Star

AppleMagic · 06/08/2016 22:11

Point 1 is really, really bad advice for a breastfed newborn. To the point where I think it needs a disclaimer.

I think the whole thing would have been better as a guest post - ie here is one person's opinion - rather than seemingly mumsnet-endorsed advice.

Muskateersmummy · 06/08/2016 22:13

I think the whole thing would have been better as a guest post - ie here is one person's opinion - rather than seemingly mumsnet-endorsed advice* I agree with this completely. It shouldn't be written as this is the only way, it should be this is one way that can work

Original poster
ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 22:16
  1. Begin by trying to feed your baby every three to four hours.

But why?

I eat when I'm hungry so why wouldn't a tiny baby?

  1. Don't let them sleep for hours on end during the day, and do wake them up if they're still asleep when the next feed is due

Who says when its due?

  1. Remember that your baby needs to be full after every feed – they'll sleep much better if they haven't got a half-empty tummy.

Whether bf or FF how the fuck do you know when theyre full?

  1. Your baby needs to be winded and have a nappy change after each feed. This helps you to know if he or she is still hungry, because they'll wake right up and become very alert

Really? They need it?

OP posts:
Muskateersmummy · 06/08/2016 22:20

She says "try to feed between 3-4 hours" clearly if the baby is hungry between then you feed them.

You quickly find out a routine when your child is due it's next feed.

And certainly my dd needed winding after every feed.

As I said common sense, if your child doesn't respond to being winded each time, don't. If your child is screaming for food before the 3 hours feed. If they haven't eaten for 6 hours and usually do, maybe it might help to wake them to feed.

AppleMagic · 06/08/2016 22:23

I think if they mean "at least every 3-4hrs" in point 1 then it needs to be edited to say that. I also think the NB about NHS breastfeeding advice from further down (which basically contradicts everything being said about feeding to a routine) should be put at the top.

LittleBearPad · 06/08/2016 22:24

It's crap advice and very unmumsnet. I was searching for a thread to complain about it. It's headed up by someone at MNHQ as if it were the answer to all questions. I'm really disappointed in whoever chose to put it on Facebook and the overall tone of the piece.

Albadross · 06/08/2016 22:25

Number 4 doesn't even make sense Hmm

Original poster
ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 22:26

Yeah i didn't notice the NB bit the first time i read it apple

OP posts:
53rdAndBird · 06/08/2016 22:27

She says "try to feed between 3-4 hours" clearly if the baby is hungry between then you feed them.

Rachel Waddilove, who wrote this article, actually tells parents not to feed them 'in between' feeds. She says you should let them cry. Seriously she does. This is a direct quote from her book:

"If your baby is a few weeks old you may need to leave him to have a shout for a bit longer. Sometimes he might take twenty minutes or so to settle. If you know that he is well fed and tired it is better to leave him to settle on his own."

Original poster
ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 22:27

It is touted as expert advice, not just an idea to try.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 06/08/2016 22:28

She says "try to feed between 3-4 hours" clearly if the baby is hungry between then you feed them..

There no clearly about it. That's not what is written. It says try to feed every 3-4 hours. If you feed every hour, 2 hours, cluster feed etc - are you a failure in the author's eyes?

magimedi · 06/08/2016 22:28

It is some 30++ year since I breast fed my baby & I can say that most of that advice is rubbish.

MN have lost the plot - big time!

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 06/08/2016 22:29

She was a right fousty old bat.

Nice way to speak about a HCP Hmm

FYI you should not let a baby a few days old sleep for six hours! No wonder your midwife 'gave you a bollocking'

Original poster
ridiculouspirate · 06/08/2016 22:30

I do feel a bit "MN wasn't like that in my day" magi Blush

OP posts: