I have gentle friends, but "routines" family... sadly, family seem to think they can tell me I'm doing it all wrong, my friends don't.

I'm about to start lying to my family - DS feeds every about 4 hours, goes to bed at 7.45 and is asleep by 8, but I don't need to stay with him, just put him down, and he wakes between 6.30 and 7.30 to start the day. He doesn't cry during the day, he loves his toys and playmat, I can organise shopping trips around his naps.

There, that should shut my mother up and if he's not sleeping though by Christmas I can blame it on him being unsettled in her house. It's better for my sanity! Plus, if gentle parenting is seen to "work" (you know, mean you spend less time with the baby... why would you want that?) more people will try it and realise they enjoy it!