Baby Training

Isn't it interesting how so many people who have never met you or your child claim to be experts in how to raise your child? You have the wisdom to raise your child properly. You and your child both have instincts that will point you in the right direction. Just listen to your heart! Listen to your child!

Baby training practices can be very dangerous, especially for breastfed babies. Breastfed infants should be fed on cue. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that crying is "a late sign of hunger." It is impossible to overfeed an exclusively breastfed baby, so feeding your baby when he shows signs of hunger is the sensible thing to do. Sometimes babies nurse for non-nutritive needs. Breastfeeding is a multi-purpose way to nurture your baby. Breastfeeding not only satisfies your baby's nutritional needs, it also satisfies his emotional needs as well.

Babies are not a "one size fits all" proposition. Some babies will want to nurse every three hours, some seem to want to nurse continuously. Each baby's need to nurse is different. Some babies are very efficient nursers and spend very little time at the breast, but most babies spend a great deal of time breastfeeding, especially during the early months.

Baby training is different from establishing a routine. Many children thrive on routines. If you want to make your life as a parent easier, help your child develop routines. Elizabeth Pantley's book "The No-Cry Solution" offers parents a loving way to establish routines, get the sleep they want, and still respect the baby's needs all at the same time. If you find yourself craving an uninterrupted night of sleep, then you might try her suggestions. Steer clear of the true baby trainers and read about the dangers of various baby training methods. Some popular baby trainers are Ezzo (Babywise), Ferber (Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems), and Tracy Hogg (The Baby Whisperer). There are links below for more information on baby training.

Keep something in mind when you consider letting your child cry it out. When you leave your child to cry it out, he has no way of understanding why you are choosing to do that.  All he knows is that he is screaming for your help and you're ignoring his cries.