Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Voices of Experience - Parents Who Used Babywise and GKGW

Nourishing and Nurturing

I am a first time mom. My son is now 6 months old. Before he was born, I was referred to the Babywise books by Ezzo. I thought, "Wow, what a practical and perfectly logical way to manage feedings." So, I tried it.

When my baby was 2 weeks old, I began the Babywise recommended feeding routine. It seemed to be working great. He was really rarely fussy. He was just a happy baby.

But at around 3 months of age he was beginning to get a little fussier. I was at one of my chiropractic appointments and my son was being unusually fussy -- no-- he was screaming and would neither eat nor sleep.

When the staff doctor walked in to see if she could help, she said to me, "I bet your breasts are hurting pretty bad from all the crying, since he won't eat!"

That's when I realized it. My milk no longer let down in response to his cries.

From that moment on, I began demand feeding him. Whenever he was hungry he ate. It was difficult at first because my milk supply was low in comparison to his true needs. It had been "regulated" to the routine of before.

It took about two weeks of impatient nursing sessions and engorged breasts due to increased nursing, to finally feel like the situation was under control. My breasts quit being engorged, my let down response returned, my milk supply increased, and he was happy and content, no more fussing.

I realized that breastfeeding your infant is about nurturing them just as much as it is about nourishing them.

I now practice demand feeding. He is 6 months old and still exclusively breastfed. I have tried to introduce a few solids, but he is not ready. I am not worried. I am more than ready to extend exclusive breastfeeding until he is ready. I plan to nurse till he is about 2 years old.

I would definitely warn moms who are truly wanting to breastfeed to think twice before putting into action the Babywise recommended feeding routine. Listen to your instincts and nurse your baby when he needs you.

by L.A.D.
6/28/07

  • Health Care Professionals on Babywise +

    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. It can be very dangerous.

    Michael Sonenblum, MD, FAAP

    "Just as a three-meals-a-day diet is not right for every adult, no schedule is right for every baby, says Dr. Michael Sonenblum,

    … Read More

  • 10 Early Signs of a Hungry Baby +

    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 fists to her mouth
    • Becoming more active
    • Nuzzling against your breast

    For more information, please refer to the AAP's Making Sure Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk

    … Read More

  • Ezzo.info Notes With Sorrow... +

    Ezzo.info notes with sorrow the passing of Michael Mahurin, aka "Metochoi," a pastor who became concerned about the Ezzos' teachings on parenting when he encountered parents, even in his own flock, who believed that following the Ezzos' teachings was the only faithful approach to Christian parenting. Pastor Mike responded by vigorously teaching biblical hermeneutics, logic, and core Christian doctrines like grace and law, both in his congregation and in online discussions. A gifted teacher with an irrepressible sense of humor, Metochoi equipped many Christian parents to use basic biblical hermeneutics and basic logic to evaluate the Ezzo's teachings. In remembrance, here are links to two series he wrote.

    Evaluting Ezzo's Logic

    Evaluating Biblical Arguments: A Short Course in Biblical Hermeneutics

    Read More

  • An Open Letter about the EzzoTruth Site +

    Summary of This Open Letter

    A site called Ezzotruth.com portrays authors Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo as victims of attacks on their parenting programs and personal character by unprincipled people. Because many of the accusations at the site have been discussed in the past, Ezzo.info simply suggests two things to consider: whether the Ezzos’ claims of victimhood at the hands of numerous reputable Christian leaders are believable and whether the results in the Ezzos’ own family support their teaching. The debate is wearying, but it is crucial to the Christian obligation to pursue truth.

    Introduction

    A web site called Ezzotruth.com has been created in response to criticism (like what is found here on Ezzo.info) of Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo and the parenting programs offered by their organization, Growing Families International (GFI). Ezzotruth.com claims that the controversy surrounding the Ezzos is the result of “internet gossip and tabloid journalism.” It

    … Read More
  • 1