Although this book has some relevant points, it is not my favorite source for living with a baby.
Some of the important aspects that it reminded me of were that routine is vital to a happy baby and that I am the parent.
Tracy's main point in the book was teaching what she calls the E.A.S.Y. Method:
Eat
Activity
Sleep
You Time
I shifted a few things around in how Bitsy and I run our days and I'm partially regretting it because I don't know how to go back now.
Previously, Bitsy took about 3 naps a day.
One mid-morning for about 30-40 minutes
One mid-day for about 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
And, finally, one late afternoon for about 45 minutes.
Those mid-day naps were wonderful for me, because they allowed me to get the household chores done and sometimes nap myself.
With the new E.A.S.Y. Method (which I've mistakenly started) Bitsy takes about 5 naps a day for about 30 minutes each.
It's not quite enough time for me to really get started on anything major.
I started this book to try to work on learning how to get Bitsy to sleep in her own cradle for bedtime.
What I have walked away with, that is good, is her ability to nap in her cradle or pack'n'play and not in her swing (which she is sure to outgrow soon).
This book will introduce you to the different types of babies:
Angel- Just that. The kind of baby who is the easiest to care for and doesn't seem to have a care in the world.
Textbook- the second easiest baby to have. Very predictable.
Touchy- basically the introvert of babies, get's fussy after being held by too many people or for too long. Doesn't like loud noises or too much stimulation of any kind.
Spirited- The opinionated baby...tells you what they do and don't like. They notice others first, they are independent as soon as they are able.
Grumpy- self explanatory.
I have predominately a Textbook Baby and the other part is an Angel Baby, according to the survey in her book.
One of the main issues I had with this book, and it's probably because I read 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' is that Tracy Hogg isn't a fan of suckling babies to calm them, long-term breastfeeding or co-sleeping.
I comprehend her concept that we can't allow our lives to totally revolve around baby, otherwise we will go crazy, but I think she pushes away some of the enjoyment of having a baby, by pushing them to be self-soothers so early on.
I wouldn't buy this book for anyone, however, if you wanted to check it out from a library and give it a scan you might learn some valuable information.
I'm not saying that everything she had to say was bad, just that it wasn't quite what I expected.
Bitsy is doing better falling asleep, but I wouldn't say on her own, there is quite a bit of soothing from me and as a last resort I feed her again as it always seems to calm her so much more than a pacifier does.
I know she'll outgrow it, she's outgrown many of her old 'habits'.
Our new 'routine' is a lot more predictable, which is the one really good thing I've learned, but it also feels like a lot more work.
Again, this is not a horrible book, but if you are dead set on following La Leche League advice....stay away from this book.
You can find out more here at a review done by kellymom.com.
I hope you all had a Blessed Thursday!
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