Gina Ford

[donkey]

Hi I was given a book by Gina Ford and am wondering if anyone of you have tried the recommended routines and whether they work. I think the routines are very disciplined (like military training!) and not sure if I should put my baby through it. I also wonder if the routine works wonder on the sleeping through the night issue - especially for newborns below 3 months.

Thanks!

 

[jools]

I know people who have tried Gina Ford and swear by it. These people tend to like routines and have miraculously given birth to a baby who also likes routines.

Personally I tried it for half a day with my first and after three hours was so frazzled that I gave up, deciding I had given birth to a baby and not a robot. For a while I felt a failure as I had been unable to follow the rules that would produce the perfect baby. However, these feelings soon subsided. I found it much easier to make my life fit around his and once we were 'working' together our own routine fell into place, which was much less stressful and more relaxing.

For those that it works for, fantastic, but please don't see it as a blanket approach, not all children are built the same way-as my three will agree.

And before you start using the book, a point to consider is that Gina Ford has never had any children of her own.

 

[spockey]

Like Jools said, you must like routines. Requires perseverance and your bub MUST co-operate. We've used Gina Ford from birth and it's been successful.
Bub has slept from through the night from 5 weeks old. Today at 2 and a bit, he sleeps at 7-7:30 through til 6:30 - 7:30.

If you do not have a co-operative baby, just dump the book. There are many other alternatives out there e.g. the Baby Whisperer.

 

[coolgaga]

I put bubs on Gina Ford routine at week 5 and she slept through at week 8 - from 11pm to 7am. It took a bit of effort initially but once she's on it she runs the routine herself. I must say we do not follow everything exactly eg the lunch time nap doesn't seem to be working well but I let her catch up her nap in the afternoon.

 

[LLL_Sarah]

Just a word of warning about using Gina Ford routines if you are hoping to breastfeed. In her book she says that she supports breastfeeding but many of the routines are not compatible with getting the breastfeeding to work, especially in the first six weeks.

When it comes to a choice between breastfeeding working or the routines working Gina Ford gives advice about getting the routines to work. A lactation consultant or La Leche League Leader will give you information about getting the breastfeeding to work.

Often the two are not compatible.

Best wishes,
SARAH

 

[capital]

I haven't read this book so can?t comment on it specifically, but I do stay away from really strict books. I just do not see how all or most babies could be on the same routine, when all babies are different. I think if you follow your own babys cues and learn to tell when they are tired, hungry etc that that is best for your individual baby, after all you baby does know what it needs. As far as BF goes , the best milk supply will happen when you feed your baby on demand. Over the course of the first year you baby will adjust to your family routine. For example a 1 year old eats when you eat your meals, a newborn doesn't.

 

[rani]

have a read through this article on Baby Routines by Yvonne

http://www.geobaby.com/articles/baby/baby-routines/

 

[Konradsmom]

I have read both Gina Ford and Babywhisperer. thnk the latter is much more flexible in terms of the timing, since she stresses the ORDER of things instead of what time whichever activity takes place.

However, I always have this question in mind - I was told by a sleep consultant that bubs must be in bed by 7pm. Otherwise, it would be too late and he would be overtired. Must (and do most mothers) stick with the 7pm bedtime, or is the schedule something we can shift around a bit to fit our lifestyles? e.g. bedtime around 8:30pm.

I have to say bubs doesn't always feel tired and sleep at the same time everyday so putting him on a routine doesnt' seem to always work.

 

[Sage]

I wish I had known Sarah's advice about the first six weeks. I had a really rough time, thinking that I should follow a three-hour schedule. But things ironed out in the first three weeks.
For my baby, I found that she took to the three hourly routine very well in the first three months or so. I start her at 7-7:30am every morning. She was breastfed exclusively and once she was weaned (taking solids), slept through the night.
I think that Gina Ford's routines work well for babies who are formula fed, or those who are given a bottle of formula for the dream feed. I didn't want to feed my baby any formula, and so, I had to wake up at night, once, to feed her.
On the other hand, I found that Gina Ford's routines for sleeping worked very well. My bub is taking two naps (1-1.5hrs each) and sleeping from 7-7:30pm to 7-7:30am. She literally drops off like clockwork around her naps and bedtime. I find this very useful (for naps) when I'm out, as she would just sleep in her stroller/carseat.
The interesting thing is that, if I keep her up (for some reason) and disrupt her naps or bedtimes, everything else is disrupted and she wouldn't sleep well and gets really grumpy at mealtimes. I guess it's true as they say - sleep begets sleep.

 

[barbwong_130]

Dear Konradsmom,

The time your child goes to sleep is a very cultural thing.

In the English speaking west (especially countries with a British influence and I 'm willing to bet the sleep consultant comes from a country with British influence) children tend to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Likewise reducing or eliminating the daytime naps is a favourite in these cultures. This is heavily reinforced in books advising on childcare ? most of which have are heavily culturally biased. Even the good ones like ?The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night? assume that the American/British way is the only way.

The cultural norm for Hong Kong is for babies to go to bed later and wake up later. And to retain the afternoon nap for much longer ? maybe even until the child is six years old. This is also true in the Mediterranean.

Babies all need around the same amount of sleep (some individuals more and other less) so if you have time in the evening while your baby is asleep you won?t get it at some other time of day.

For me the Chinese culture of a long afternoon nap (so I got time a break from the children) and sleeping late (so my husband got time with my children) suited me fine. I know I didn?t get as much time alone just my husband and me (but I decided we were a family now). I did, however, make the most of Sunday afternoons when my husband and I were awake but the kids were asleep!

I'd choose a bedtime that suits your family rather than one told you from outside.

Best wishes,
Barb