Healthy Living Books Books

Rating: - Fantastic
This book and Gina's approach are by far the most thoughtful and most understanding of a babies needs i.e good sleep means good feeding means good sleep. It is not and never intends to be prescriptive and looking through many of these reviews I am disapointed that the reviewers are not able to see that Gina is giving a system to meet your babies needs - she assumes that you know how to cuddle and love your baby so obviously does not give you a time to day to do it!! I for one needed to be reminded to take care of myself and really appreciated Gina's advice on diet to support breast feeding and having breakfast! I am consistently amazed by the level of feeling around Gina's structured approach as I know my daughter, my many nieces and nephews have thrived on it. I incidently have never left my daughter to cry so I am trying to dispel some of the anti Gina myths that are always bandied about so if you are about to be a parent please please do not be put off by some of these reviews, I honestly beleive that some people are not informed enough to review this book and therefore have a limited knowledge of Gina's philosopy.
Morgan.

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Rating: - Life Saver
This book is clearly written in an accessible easy to read style and just makes total sense! Gina understands the natural rhythms of babies and her routines work! My son has had a tricky start in life, yet now he eats, sleeps and plays well - all down to the genius of this book! Everyone comments on what a contented baby he is - even his consultants. Since being able to get him into the routines, he as never been happier. Having predictability and structure in his life helps him know where he is up to and feel secure and helps family life. Though we stick carefully to the routines most of the time, we adapt them for special occasions and holidays, but once over, he is immediately back on track. He is adaptable because he gets so much quality sleep each night and day to recharge him. Knowing what will happen throughout the day just takes the guess work away and I know that his needs will be met day in day out! I can't praise it highly enough!

One thing though, I am staggered by some of the negative reviews - fair enough, if you don't like the idea of a routine at all and you prefer a baby-led approach then the book is not for you - although worth looking at to find out what the routines can do for you and your baby - you maybe pleasantly surprised. There is quite a lot of information explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and a baby-led approach is not necessarily the easy approach you might think of.

Moreover though, I think to suggest that putting your baby in a routine is damaging is worryingly misleading. My baby and several others I know thrive in it. This book meets baby's needs and contrary to belief offers flexibility within its firm principles. It recognises that babies are individuals and have slightly different needs and offers advice on what to do through different case studies.

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Rating: - Praise for Gina
I have 3 sons aged 5,2 and 1 and all have been raised the CLB way.

If you would like structure to your day and learn to understand your babys basic needs then give this book a go.

The book is presented in simple and easy to understand terms - most likely because Gina Ford knows that new mums dont have time to sift through the waffle and just want to be told how to do what needs doing.

My children all settled into the routine well and have fantastic sleeping habits ( all sleeping 12 hours per night from 18 weeks) and good eating habits.

I rarely felt anxious or stressed when they were babies, even with 16 months between my last two, because they were calm and content.
Despite what others may say the routine works with babys natural habits and forms the foundation for excellent sleeping and feeding patterns. The routine helped me establish a good milk supply when breastfeeding and helped me avoid the hours on end spend feeding like some of my friends. I was able to enjoy my new baby and understand his needs.

I cannot reccomend this book enough and so many of my friends also swear by this book.

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Rating: - Worked for me!
I read this book during my pregnancy and liked it straight away. I found the clear guidelines appealing and the explanations made sense to me. I have happily followed given routines and often turned to the book for all sorts of advice. I am a confident mum and my son is a contented baby - it certainly worked for me!

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Rating: - Waste of money
IMO - I find she contradicts herself throughout the book. Her routines are almost impossible to do. She makes no effort to help you adapt the routines if you need too, such as if your school runs coincide with her routines. You can really tell she has never had children.

I am gutted I bought the book, and feel liberated to finaly throw it away.