A word to the Baby Wise

With Elliott, I wasn't keen on the idea of scheduling feedings. In many ways, I'm glad that I didn't. I think that I would have been too overwhelmed at first to have to tried to follow a plan. Nursing on demand worked well for us in establishing a good nursing relationship. However, it also likely contributed to some of the sleep issues that carry on with Elliott to this day (not the sole cause, but a contributing factor). 

So, with William I turned to the dark side and read "Baby Wise." I find some of the book just as ridiculous as he seems to find the Le Leche crowd. But I really believe that his feed, wake time, sleep routine is a wise one. It separates eating from sleeping, which is key to teaching a child good sleep habits, particularly how to self-soothe. 

I am trying to nurse William no sooner than 2.5 to 3 hours during the day and evening. Later on I'll work to help him eliminate his one evening and two middle-of-the-night feedings (usually around 10 p.m., 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.) By separating eating from sleeping during the day, I think it will be easier to help him get back to sleep without eating. In fact, if Baby Wise is to be believed, he should just start sleeping through the night on his own around two months without me working to eliminate the feedings.

The other lesson I've drawn from Baby Wise is to try to make sure he gets a full feeding, not a snack. This is harder during the day when I'm alone with him and Elliott. But I try. And during the morning and evening feedings, I make sure nurses as long as he can. Elliott was a snacker, and I believe that he nursed more often because of it.