RAISING BABIES BY THE BOOK
Bradenton Herald
The teachings of Preparaton for Parenting, a parenting program written by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo, founders of the Chatsworth, California-based Growing Families International, contrast with those taught by the 53,000-member American Academy of Pediatrics, the world's largest organization of pediatricians.
| Issues... |
What the Ezzos Teach... |
What DoctorsTeach... |
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| Concerning Sudden Infant Death Syndrome |
They question scientific findings which indicate laying an infant down on its back may reduce the chance of SIDS. |
Research shows babies sleeping on their backs or sides are at a lower rate for SIDS. |
| On feeding a baby |
They warn parents of "demand feeding'' infants, saying it may produce a "high-need,'' baby with symptoms of colic (excessive unexplained crying), instability in sleep and feeding cycles, perpetual need for comfort nursing, limited self-play adeptness, a demanding toddler and a tired mother, among other things. |
Breastfed and bottlefed babies should be treated differently
Breastfed babies should be fed more frequently than their bottlefed counterparts, particluarly whenever they provide signals such a nuzzling, making sucking motions, fussing or crying, commonly known as `demand feeding.'
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| On colic |
Characterized by unexplained bouts of intense crying, they say the condition is more prevalant in babies fed on demand. No research references are cited. |
Demand-feeding is not cited as a cause nor is any relationship established between colic and demand breastfeeding. |
| On a mother's ability to produce breastmilk |
They say longer periods of time between breastfeeding, to a certain degree, will create an increase in milk production in the mother. |
The milk-producing hormone prolactin is released while breastfeeding and breastfeeding more frequently causes her to make more milk. |
| On letting babies cry |
They say parents should not respond immediately to a baby's cries, but should instead check on the baby every 15 minutes. A baby may be left to cry to avoid a "predisposition to immediate gratification.'' |
The best way to handle crying is to respond promptly to the infant during the first few months. You cannot spoil a young baby by giving him attention; and if you answer his calls for help, he'll cry less overall. |
| On determining if an infant is getting enough |
They suggest counting the number of wet diapers, in addition to watching for other signs. |
Wet and soiled diapers should be counted, in addition to watching for possible signs of dehydration including a sunken in soft-spot, no tears when crying or lethargy. |
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Information taken from 'Preparation for Parenting,' a course written by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo and 'Your Baby and Young Child, Ages Birth to 5,' published by the 53,000-member American Academy of Pediatrics.
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