Any one tried Gina Ford Book?

[Vics128]

just wondered what the verdict was on the contented baby book. my 6 wk old screams unless he is being held. he has seen a doc who says nothing wrong! so was wondering if this book could help..... or any tips!!! my husband thinks we should leave him to cry as it does seem to be a temper tantrum, but to me seems a bit harsh on one so small!!! thanks in advance

[redcrx]

aww dealing with a crying baby can be very difficult. When my dad was a baby my grandad literally used to tie my nan to a chair to stop her rushing in to baby at slightest cry.

is there a particular time when hes screaming? It could easily be colic that causing it or reflux.

If you are sure that baby is doing it purely for the comfort of a cuddle, lets face it they are all going to try, then try and leave him for a few mins to see if he settles. Pop a tshirt that youve warn into his cot (not anywhere dangerous) and see if your scent settles him.

Is he in any routine yet? is he bottle fed or breast fed?

The Gina ford book is very restrictive, if you follow it corrently then you cant change anything, so if you need to go out it makes little provision for you to alter feeds or anything.

[redcrx]

Also, have a word with your health visitor rather than GP, they will have dealt with this loads of times and be able to offer solutions and advice

[aims1202]

A 6 week old having a tantrum! Newborn babies need to be held, they cry for a reason and often the reason is just to be held and cuddled. i havent read that book but have heard some bad things about it.
Try using a sling, even when you are in the house, that way you can get on with things while baby is happily cuddled and secure with you. I am 27 weeks pregnant with my second and plan on getting one of those Babasling's where newborns lie sideways across you and then you can change position as they get older.

[ladyalex]

Agree completely with the advice to speak to your Health Visitor. They will be able to give you sensible tips and advice.
6 week old babies do not have temper tantrums, as opposed to husbands who do!

[tigwig]

Before I had a child of my own I always used to think babies should be left to cry sometimes. (I have looked after other's babies for years!) As I have become more experienced and softened considerably by my own baby I firmly believe that babies only cry for a reason and if they are crying to be cuddled then do it!! If you are worried about spoiling him it will not happen so young especially at 6 weeks. If you attend to a small babies needs immediately they will become contented and more emotionally secure in time where as the baby who is left to cry continuously will just get more fractious. As others have said a sling is a fab idea if you have a clingy baby. Just think your baby loves you so much he just wants to be cuddled! You cannot spoil a young baby. If of course he gets to 1yr and still wants permanently carrying then thats different but at 6 weeks I would cuddle away and use the sling when you have things to do. I have no doubt that the Gina Ford way works but as you say it is harsh and I don't think a small baby needs to have its life so rigid.

[pinkbunny]

Does your baby have to be held upright and spit up some of his feeds? If so maybe he has acid reflux? My baby screamed day and night for weeks to the point where I was getting very down and totally worn out. I saw my health visitor who told me to suggest it to the doc, he put her on some ranitadine for the reflux and honest to god totally different baby who now sleeps throught the night and can be layed down without screaming. I know it may not be the case with your baby but maybe worth mentioning?
Keep on though I know its hard I have only just come out the other side of this and I thought it would never get better hope this gets better for you soon x x

[Vics128]

hi thanks everone!
it was the hv who told us to see doc.
he doesnt seem to be in any pain, not tucking knees up
no particular time of day, just all day!
breast fed
not even really content when being held, just not screaming!
Dont think the heat is helping. yseterday was a bit cooler and he seemed much happier!

[nickyt75]

I read the Baby Whisperer book when my daughter was about 6 weeks old and wished I'd read it before she was born. It's a fab book and made my cry (but what doesn't at that stage?) and the author has now sadly died. Anyway, there isn't much you can do, but it passes. I changed my daughters milk from sma white to gold and gave Infacol drops before each feed, but not sure it does any good. Just make sure that if you have a partner, you share the burden & take turns. It feels like it will never end but as soon as my daughter went onto food at 20 weeks, she was a different baby. I think she'd just been hungry from birth!! I tried ignoring it, "controlled crying" etc but I got upset when my daughter was sick she cried that hard. I gave in and did what I had to, but it hasn't done her any harm. I mean cuddles by the way!! The thing I can't say enough about is routine. My daughter is now 18 months old and is happy, funny, sociable, well behaved etc etc - a joy really, and I think it's down to her being in a routine from 4 weeks old. Getting up, going to bed, meals, naps, baths all at a set time and in the same order. Everything in between, ie. playing, can be as random as you like, but they definitely thrive on routine. Good luck, be strong, you're not alone. You'll laugh in 3 months!