The New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident Parenting

My husband called me from the airport when I was pregnant with my first and told me he ‘found a book that was the answer to how we should parent.’ Now, I have to say that I was sceptical but also humble enough to think that there would be experts out there who definitely knew more about raising happy babies than me. We have since used Gina’s Contented Baby book for our two children (and her others, e.g. potty training and weaning and contented toddler) and we recommend it to all expectant parents we know. Gina’s book and methods are straight forward and highly logical. Her routines are very clear to follow and explained so the parents can learn and adapt them as necessary. There is also a lot of problem solving guidance that I’ve found really useful in fixing issues. I also have appreciated how the routines adapt to the child’s age to make sure that we stay on top of changes that are needed. I’d also like to stress that I’ve found the routines and methodology to be very compassionate to both the needs of the child and the parents, making sure both have what they need and are as well rested as possible. The routines do require a lot of dedication and should be followed as closely as possible. They require parents to prioritise the routine as much as they can but, after witnessing many friends suffer the downsides of not prioritising routines, this is something we were happy to do. We have had two babies that we have raised with the Gina Ford routines and we are often told how happy and contented they are. Due to the routines, if they are upset, I’ve nearly always been able to understand why and I’ve not had to guess. Both my exclusively breastfeed children have slept through the night (with a dream feed) from a young age and my husband and I have nearly always had evenings together due to predictable children bedtimes. I’d recommend these books to anyone who is expecting a child and who is open minded enough to appreciate that, whilst our little miracles seem unique to us, they will probably have all the same predicable challenges as other babies and Gina Ford more than likely has the solution.

Gina is famously very divisive with her methods. I believe that actually, in contradiction to common belief, it is not a harsh routine or draconian in its methods, but what a baby does naturally in many ways, certainly as the baby gets older and more settled, which is when it really comes into its own. The first few weeks are tough for every parent and I can understand why many fall by the wayside with the Gina routine during this period as quite often the baby does not do the routine and you can end up beating yourself up about it which I have done with two children. But hindsight taught me much and I think that in the first few weeks you should use this book as a guide, which is useful when, first-time around, you have no idea what is expected of you. Use it to get into good habits but absolutely don't deny your natural parenting instinct - I had to rock my son to sleep from 4 to 10 weeks, against advice. But I do believe that her advice is ultimately very wise. I do think every baby is different in the first few weeks (my daughter was a very sleepy baby and my son had colic). Both only vaguely did the routine, for different reasons, at first, despite my attempts. However, I think the turning point is really around three months, and certainly when they are going through the night as then the day starts at 7am and it is then you realise that what she suggests (their sleep times and feed times) are exactly right for them naturally). From this point my children fell into the routine very well and because their needs were being met they were very contented babies. She says in her book that the core of her method is having a good lunchtime sleep so that the baby can get through the afternoon until bedtime happily. I absolutely believe in this. The major difference between the people I know who did the routine and those who didn't was the lunchtime nap and its length. Having a good solid one was vital to my children, and also, vital to me. My son spent a long time waking up halfway through this and I think if I hadn't have known that he could go back to sleep again I would not have tried to make him do so. It was worth persevering with it. I also think she is very right with her sleep association theories. Although I rocked my colicky son to sleep for the first few weeks of his life, as soon as he could be distracted by something in his cot I stopped it and he has been, like my daughter was, very easy to put down ever since. I am afraid that I know people who for the past three years have still had to sit with their children to go to sleep because of bad sleep associations created when they were little. This in itself convinces me that these rules are not harsh, just sensible ways to get into a habit of and your children will only benefit from them. I would also say that her advice on colic was excellent and the only thing that actually worked for me despite putting up with hell for 6 weeks. I can't believe I didn't check what she had to say about it sooner. My son was cured in a night! My children are very content in the most part, but for me the real benefit has been the sleep. Everyone marvels at how easily they go to bed and I really believe that the core of this has been the Gina routine.

Firstly just to say I know Gina Ford has strict and routines are very rigid but if you get this book knowing that and keeping an open mind to not having to strictly follow it word for word then there are ALOT of helpful hints and reassurances that this book provides. I used this with my own two kids (both very different) and have recommended to my friends (with the caveat of using it to adapt to what suits you) and they have all been really grateful for it. At the end of the day babies are all different and there's no one size fits all - but this comes close to setting the ultimate/ideal routines to work with for babies. It's a good guide and gives alot of reassurance to mothers who have no one else around to turn to or look to for advice. As a mother you start to know/learn your own babies patterns, needs and wants and when you add that to these routines and flex it to what suits you they really are re-assuring. Most helpful to me was being able to figure out breast pumping times and knowing how I could increase supplies whilst remembering to eat and do normal things myself. This book helped us so much but you do need to be open minded to not have to be so rigid so that you can have a life and find a happy routine for you and your baby. Both my children have benefited from different elements that Gina ford routines introduced to us and I would recommend it as a good point to start for anyone lost or overwhelmed by it all.

I bought this book when my son was 2 months old. It took us a month but we are finally there - sleeping through the night. From 7 pm to 7 am with a 10 pm feeding and diaper change through which he does not even wake up. Everybody was telling us its too early for a routine/schedule. In our case, due to the amazing tips in this book, we have a set routine. I know when I can have people visiting, when I can go shopping, when I can meet up with a friend for a coffee. Due to this routine I get 9 hours of sleep myself (uninterrupted!!!), my house is clean and my laundry is done. The key to introducing this technique is to listen to your baby's cues while using the tools and the knowledge that this book provides. This is going to be my shower gift to all of my girlfriends.

Un dinero muy bien invertido. Me compre otros libros de ella. Si sigues lo que dice y lo combinas con algunos ajustes dependiendo de tu hijo, saldrá todo perfecto!

Not many American's are familiar with Gina Ford but she is renown in England. IF you follow her guidelines to a tee, you will enjoy hours of sleep, your child will be well rested and adjusted, you'll be able to plan because you are on a schedule and life will be bliss with a newborn. the key is following the somewhat rigorous schedule which many people can't figure out how to do. You will need to make adjustments but like anything the first week or 2 are tough but then it gets easier and then it's just the way of life. I hear so many parents speak of having to sleep with their child, oh my child is different, oh s/he just won't go to sleep, we could never have a schedule - we are too busy, etc. All excuses in my book. Look, it's simple, usually the problem lies with the parents - it's their issue, they need to go to this or that event, they like holding the baby all night long, they don't want to hear the crying, etc. Get over it! kids need boundaries. This book helps you set them early on and while you are helping your child you are really helping yourself. Gina does an amazing job of outlining a very sensible feeding and sleeping schedule, and most importantly the little things that are often over looked like black out blinds. it's an easy read, and your pages should be earmarked. By 10 weeks we had gotten rid of the baby monitor and our baby was sleeping from 7pm to 7am with no waking up. The benefits don't stop when they turn 1 - by teaching the child at an early age the lessons in this book, they carry through the rest of their life. Today, at 8, my child goes to sleep with no trouble at 8pm and sleeps until 7am. Date night at my house every night! I have given this book as gifts to 1st time mothers and the ones who thank me for it have babies who sleep through the nights and they too are well adjusted. The others, well they rattle off one or more of those excuses above. I've read all the other baby books out there because I'm a huge fan of research and not one of them stands a candle to Gina Ford. If you buy one thing to help a new mother or for yourself, this is it! Forget the baby clothes, toys, and other gifts, this book will keep giving all your life and through your child's.

Saved our marriage and saved our sanity It’s a full manual to having a contented baby who sleeps through the night and saves your sanity and marriage.

A very good book .should be read by all new parents.