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Dr. Matthew Aney's Letter to the AAP News in reply to Dr. Bucknam:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
RESPONSE TO DR. BUCKNAM'S ARTICLE

In Dr. Bucknam's article on his book `Babywise,' he states that he read my commentary "with amazement and curiosity." He should not be surprised at all since he is well aware of previous articles that have pointed out the same concerns - Child Abuse Prevention Council of Orange County (5/14/96), report from a hospital in North Carolina (1996), World Magazine (5/26/96), Boulder Weekly (3/20/97), Bradenton Herald (4/26/97), a statement from Focus on the Family (11/97), a public letter from the Santa Clara Valley Breastfeeding Task Force (1/23/98), Christianity Today (2/98), Wall Street Journal (2/98), Our Sunday Visitor (4/5/98), plus many more. In fact Dr. Bucknam was quoted in the same article where pediatricians and lactation consultatants described the many medical problems associated with the book (Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel,(6/2/97).) This does incite amazement and curiousity.

`Babywise' may be popular, but is it successful? What is Dr. Bucknam's definition of success? The statistics given in his article on "healthy sleep," "successful breastfeeding," and "weight gain"have not been proven nor published. What has been published in several articles is the link between the use of `Babywise' methods and dehydration, poor weight gain, and failure to thrive. Dr. Bucknam and Growing Families International have still failed to investigate this.

Dr. Bucknam states he has a peer review committee of 30 physicians and lactation consultants. When asked to reveal the names of these members the response has been, "These people are too important to be bothered with the trivia served up by the critics." It is highly irregular to hide one's supporting board. If such a committee exists, then why have they failed to investigate these claims?

Dr. Bucknam suggested that my article contained duplicity and exaggeration and would like to know what criteria I used to substantiate my claims about `Babywise.' The following prompted my investigation and my desire to alert others of the potential dangers and to join the numerous pediatricians that are concerned, calling upon the AAP to investigate:

  • After reading the book, I excerpted 35 erroneous medical statements.
  • A feeding schedule which goes against common medical knowledge and research results as well as against AAP guidelines.
  • Reports and calls from physicians to a child abuse committee questioning the program.
  • A hospital committee investigation and findings.
  • My own review of over 100 reports from lactation consultants and mothers. Specific cases are easily found. Dr. Bucknam need look no further than Lactnet, the listserve for lactation professionals, and follow up personally on some of the cases reported there, as I did, as well as review the many previously published articles. In addition, mothers who are desperately trying to adhere to the feeding schedule, post on the GFI forum problems with their infants needing immediate medical attention.

Matthew Aney, MD

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.

… Read More

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
… Read More

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.

… Read More
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.
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Babywise and Preparation for Parenting

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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