Rating: 
Summary: A Guide, not a Bible
Review: As a first time mom I found this book to be helpful, as I found many books to be helpful. I did not use it as a Bible. I took what made sense to me (feedtime, waketime, sleeptime) out of it and ignored those items that I did not agree with (letting your baby cry himself to sleep). As a working mother who wanted to breastfeed her child, I was discouraged by everything I read about feeding your baby whenever he wanted to eat. I heard too many stories about feeding times being unpreditable and varied. This was the first book that talked about putting a breastfed baby on a schedule (which is critical while I work). Although I did not follow Mr. Ezzo's timelines, I worked with my baby to establish a routine. I let my son guide me. Now at 11 weeks, my son is sleeping through the night, is on a predictable feeding schedule, and I am able to continue breastfeeding. On top of that, he is very healthy and happy (our pediatrician just commented on how big and healthy he was). Like any childrearing book, you need to use common sense and pick and choose what works for you. But, if you have such little faith in your abilities to parent and follow this book as if it were the Bible on childrearing then of course you will have problems.
Rating: 
Summary: Give me a break!
Review: The methods in this book work. They work not only to get your child to sleep long, peaceful hours (for both of you), but also to build a happy, confident child. My daughter is 10 months old and slept through the night at 8 weeks. I hear the phrases "she is such a happy baby" and "you are so lucky" on a daily basis. That's the truth. I've read some of the criticisms listed in the reviews on these pages and would simply recommend if your pregnant, buy the book and read it. Then decide what you want to try. Two married friends (both family physicians) recommended the book to us. We read it, tried it and couldn't be happier. So many experts think they have the right answer about the key to an emotionally intact child. Give me a break. We all know that love, compassion and bonding are critical for sound emotional development. Does Babywise negate any of those principles? NO. In fact it encourages them in a structured format. Read the book and decide for yourself. It works.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful guide - thank you
Review: That's exactly what it is; a guide. Common sense will dictate how you react or manage your specific situation based on your child's individual health and circumstances. However this book provided my wife and I with excellent guidelines for raising our child. My daughter is now 15months, she is loved very much and is probably repremanded less now because we set some gorund rules when she was younger. My daughter goes to bed at 7:30pm and wakes up around 6:30-7:00am. She is emotionally secure, happy and loved. My wife and I have time to spend with each other in the evening and this is nourishing for our relationship. Alot of it as a result to advise from this book. We are now expecting a second child and we will use this information again. I strongly recomend you read it and decide for your self. I have heard many people speak strongly against its principles. Usally when I look at their lives I can see the results of their choice and its not where I want to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Illogical, Mean, Arrogant, Condescending Misinformation!
Review: NO STARS! This author has been largely discredited by the medical community, childcare and lactation experts, and the last three (3) churches he got kicked out of! The American Association of Pediatricians doesn't recommend his 'parent-directed feeding', babies have been HOSPITALIZED. Do they have to die before people will listen? This is BAD MEDICAL ADVICE. THIS MAN IS NOT A DOCTOR. THIS MAN DOES NOT HAVE EDUCATION IN THIS FIELD. THIS MAN HAS NOT STUDIED CHILD DEVELOPMENT OR HUMAN LACTATION. He is a misogynist who's got breast envy. And don't think this is Christian. It's not based on the Bible, just 'baptized' with a few ill-chosen proof-texts. It's full of conflicting messages, it's based on false premises (that AP is humanist, that humans do not have instincts or natural inclinations). He teaches parents to question their own instincts, and to blame themselves when the 'program' doesn't work. He vilifies other experts and his critics. He's making SCADS of money off insecure, firtst time, inexperienced parents and control freaks. It's cultic. Don't get sucked in!
Rating:
Summary: disturbing
Review: As a mother of six with over 20 years of parenting experience,I am deeply disturbed by what I read in this book. It is filled with overgeneralizations, exaggerations and falsehoods. The breastfeeding information in contrary to current lactation knowledge. The psychology information is inaccurate. It may "work" for some babies, but is it best for baby? Keep in mind that the authors call it an "infant management program", which is exactly what it is. You won't find much value as far and love and bonding and relating to your baby in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Not recommended
Review: This book my be dangerous if followed too closely, especially for breastfed infants. It is also cruel to children because it advises parents to ignore their children's cries. It advises women to breastfeed their infants no more than every 2 1/2 hours. However, when infants go through growth spurts which may occur at any time, they need to be fed more frequently.
Rating:
Summary: GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Review: I have successfully trained my two children to sleep through the night using the Ezzo method - one at 6 weeks and one at 10 days. I think he is a wonderful writer and has a ton of hands on experience to back him up. I don't understand why all the "critics" out there have such a problem with it. You must read the book as a guideline and use your common sense to make the information work for you. I guess you are too sleepy to make good decisions since you have been up all night with your infants. Best of luck!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Not for parents who care!
Review: This book was recommended to me by a pregnant friend while I was pregnant with my second child. With memories of sleepless nights and hectic, unpredicatable days from my first, I was open-minded and interested based upon my friend's description of the book. As I read this book, a sick, sinking feeling grew inside my heart. How could anybody a treat a infant this way? This book should be called "parent-centered" or "parent convenience training." I got through the first book and was appalled. I had purchased the follow-up book at the same time I bought this one, so I opened it to even worse advice and horrible recommended treatment of children (like, if your toddler is not potty-trained by 18 mos. they should be required to clean themselves up if they soil themselves! ). This guy is nuts and as far as these people that inflict this treatment on their children: "never underestimate the power of denial."
Rating: 
Summary: Ignore the Critics - This method works
Review: After reading the criticisms of this book I was hesitant to purchase it. With my first child on the way, I was torn between the testimonials of my friends who swore by it and the reviews by parents who equated it to child abuse. In my 8th month of pregnancy,I read Babywise cover to cover, then put it aside. 2 weeks after my baby was born I reviewed it and much to my surprise, found that my daughter was already starting to follow the plan. She is now 6 1/2 months old, breastfed, and has slept through the night since 4 weeks. Everyone who meets her comments that "she is so happy!" And so are her parents. We're not experiencing the sleep deprivation that it seems so many new parents do. And by the way, I didn't find anything cruel or harmful in this book. It does promote a regulated pattern but frankly as a first time mom, I've found the pattern very helpful and supportive.
Rating:
Summary: if you love your child, don't buy this book!
Review: According to Dr. T. Berry Brazelton M.D. (who also writes helpful books for parents), this approach shows incredible lack of respect for your child. Listen to what your own instincts are telling you - your child is not born into this world to make your life miserable or to manipulate you. If your child is crying - it wants something from you - most likely comfort or affection. There are ways of getting a good nights sleep that do not require you to let your child cry until they are inconsolable, and ways of fostering good manners and behaviour that do not require you to emotionally abandon your child. Your child is only this age once - and the sleepless nights will be soon enough over when your child is ready. You will miss these days when your child is a teenager, and wonder how you could have thought them a problem. I sympathise with parents who are facing lack of sleep or other problems, but remember: you only get one chance to do this right -- and teaching your child that you won't be there when it needs you is NOT the way to do it. Buy Dr. William Sears book instead.
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