Items from the AAP News - Ezzo.info

Items from the AAP News

The following is a synopsis with links to articles written up at the time:

In April and May of 1998, two articles appeared in the AAP News. According to Babywise advice linked to dehydration, failure to thrive by Dr. Matt Aney, Babywise contains many unsubstantiated medical statements, offers questionable medical advice and even disagrees with the official AAP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding. (Please also see the Media Alert by the AAP.).

Dr. Robert Bucknam, co-author of Babywise wrote a response to the April piece by Aney. We have asked the AAP for web reprint permission so that we can present Bucknam's position adequately. Dr. Aney has also asked the AAP for such permission. They have indicated that Bucknam needs to approve of such before they can grant us this right. So, Aney has asked Bucknam for such permission. If it is granted, we will present Bucknam's response alongside Aney's article. (Until then we can only quote from it.)

I have a few comments on the statistics in Bucknam's statement. You can also read Aney's letter to the editor of the AAP News about Bucknam's comments and some excellent comments made by Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC on Bucknam's response.

August 2004--Ezzo has recently (on his website FAQ and elsewhere) been referring to "a published report" in the AAP News in 1998 and to studies published by the AAP News in 1998. He is actually referring to Babywise co-author Dr. Robert Bucknam's May 1998 response piece described above and not to any independent, peer-reviewed published study.

Invitation for Connection

2024 Update: If you are looking to connect with others, a group of volunteers (not affiliated with this website) is organizing the next phase of activism to further expose Gary Ezzo. Contact them here

Professionals Say
Signs of Hunger
Recent Research
A Mom Says

Rosemary Shy, MD , FAAP
Director, Children's Choice of Michigan Ambulatory Pediatrics
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Mich

"It is dangerous to do it the way he describes," Pediatrician Dr. Rosemary Shy says of Ezzo's technique. "It puts these babies at risk for jaundice, at risk for dehydration, and at risk for failing to thrive, all of which we’ve seen." -- Wilson, Steve, "Baby Care Controversy," WXYZ-Detroit, November 14, 2004

Arnold Tanis, MD, FAAP
1999 recipient, John H. Whitcomb Outstanding Pediatrician Award, presented by the Florida Pediatric Society and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

"There is no scientific basis whatsoever in their philosophy....It is contrary to what nature intended.

Watch Your Baby's Signs of Hunger

Although Babywise says to feed a hungry baby, it usually instructs parents to observe a time interval between feedings, or a certain order of events, such as only feeding the baby after she wakes up. There's another way to tell that your baby is hungry. You can watch your baby for her own signs of hunger.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends watching for the following early signs or cues by which your baby lets you know when she's hungry.

Small movements as she starts to awaken
Whimpering or lip-smacking
Pulling up arms or legs toward her middle
Stretching or yawning
Waking and looking alert
Putting hands toward her mouth
Making sucking motions
Moving

Maternal use of parent led routines associated with short breastfeeding duration.

Published Feb 12, 2014
Brown A, Arnott B (2014) Breastfeeding Duration and Early Parenting Behaviour: The Importance of an Infant-Led, Responsive Style. PLoS ONE 9(2): e83893. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083893

"Results: Formula use at birth or short breastfeeding duration were significantly associated with low levels of nurturance, high levels of reported anxiety and increased maternal use of Parent-led routines . Conversely an infant-led approach characterised by responding to and following infant cues was associated with longer breastfeeding duration."

Raising Emotionally Healthy Children - 2014 Video

This KET Special Report looks at the importance of social and emotional development in the first years of life, featuring experts on infant and child development in Kentucky.

Our first child was born in the summer of 09, and I promptly began trying to apply the Babywise method. The book had been highly recommended by a distant relative, and promised structure and sanity amidst the exhaustion and upheaval I felt as a new mother. However, our baby did not respond the way the book promised he would if we followed the schedule. All my attempts to adhere to the book led to deep frustration, arguments with my husband (who knew better than to let a book dictate our newborn's schedule), feeling like a failure, and the worst--resentment of my infant. Why couldn't he sleep and eat like the book said he should be doing? The Ezzos presented their arguments as infallible.

Babywise and Preparation for Parenting

Free downloadable parent education brochure

research-based answers

print and share with your pediatrician

leave some with your health department

Give one to your pastor or Christian ed department

Key Documentation

LIVING HOPE EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP:
Excommunication Statement

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH:
Statement about Ezzo - Materials

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH:
Statement about Ezzo - Character

CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE:
"The Cultic Characteristics of Growing Families International"
(originally titled "More than a Parenting Ministry")

CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE:
"GFI"
(orginally titled "A Matter of Bias?")

CHRISTIANITY TODAY:
Unprepared to Teach Parenting?

CHRISTIANITY TODAY:
Babywise Publisher Plans Contract Cancellation

AMERICAN ACADEMY of PEDIATRICS:
Media Alert