Book Review for aquarius magazine
I had the opportunity to contribute to the book review section: " The Book that changed everything". Here's my full review on The New Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford.
"While I was pregnant with my first child, my husband came home one day saying someone recommend us to read this book: The New Contented Little Baby Book by one of the most controversial parenting guru in the UK, Gina Ford. At 5 months pregnant I was actually looking for a book to read and get myself prepared for the arrival of our daughter. I knew I wanted to follow one book only, I was determinate not to read too much stuff and get confused by different methods. As a first time mom I had little idea of routine, breast feeding, sleeping time, I wanted an instruction manual!!
That's exactly what I got, Ford's methods provide an hour-by-hour, week-by-week guide on how to get a new baby into a routine, the book includes feeding and sleeping schedules based on a baby's age. The method claims to create happy and contented babies because their needs for food and sleep are appropriately met and they should sleep for their longest spell at night not during the day. Common sense! It contains so much information, it was overwhelming at first. By the time Luella was born, I was a bit of a dictator with her schedule, following the exact routine. Then I quickly realize I could adapt the method to suit our family better, and it worked. I learned to be flexible because life with a baby hardly ever goes as planned. I followed the same principles in a looser way, without biting myself up if I was out of track for a few hours or a day. And it worked!
No parents are really neutral about Gina Ford method you love or hate it. The strict routine is hard work and can be too restrictive for some family. Her method goes against some popular parenting philosophies like demand feeding, as she believes in the necessity of waking a sleeping baby in order to establish a daily routine. It's a choice we made, and it worked for us. I have no regrets, and now 5 months pregnant again, I am ready to do it all over again with our second baby.
Experienced parents may not benefit from Ford's methods, but for first-time parents it can be a great help. I believe you and your child will benefit from having structure to your days. I personally was reassured to know what was coming next and for Luella I think it helped her development, to learn what will happen at about the same time and in about the same way each day. It provides comfort and a sense of safety. " Emily Lidén, mum of one and blogger at www.dubaioursandbox.com
To read more book recommendations from eight Dubai mums, check out Aquarius Magazine, May 2014. Currently out.