Don't feel like a failure Cikina Many women I know would feel exactly the same if they had tried to follow those (I think) impractical routines in Gina's book. I think at the end of the day someone really needs to have HAD a baby themselves to understand the reality behind life with a baby. For example: which exhausted mum with next to no support other than from her equally exhausted husband would ever wake a sleeping baby to conform to a routine??? Has Gina ever experienced the kind of sheer exahustion that comes after being pregnant for 9 months and having to care for a newborn while still in recovery and getting used to the physical demands of breast feeding??? No, she has not. Her routines also do not seem to factor in caring for other children as well... often several others.... it makes the assumption that you only have to deal with this ONE child's needs. Like I said, I have read this book and I don't believe she ever mentioned the possibility of having to weave her routines into those of other children.

I know there are members in this thread who seem to have sucess with Gina's routine but I also feel that this book has probably done as much harm as good... I am sure Cikina is not the only mum that has felt even more inadequate as a result of trying to adhere to the (I think) impractical routines of this book. There is just no comfort for the mum in the pages of Gina's book... when you compare the book to say that of Pinky McKay where the mum is encouraged to nuture herself as well as her baby (caring for a carer is of vital importance). Stern matronly dictatorship writing is really dated i think... I think Gina could do well to develop a bit of compassion. I think there is no place for being firm with a baby... it implies that a baby has the ability to be "naughty" and "inconsiderate" which is obviously crazy. And worst of all it erodes TRUST. Yes babies often like a bit of predictability... but one thing they like to be able to predict is that mum will try to give them what they need... I just don't see Gina as being child-focussed... she is blatantly parent focussed and I basically feel that is selfish. Very few adults would be happy imposing such rigid routines on themselves so why is it ok to impose them on a baby? What on earth is wrong with being a little flexible?

This has turned into a bit of a rant. However I am not attacking anyones choice for giving Gina's routines go... I am questioning the philosophy of the book... not the members here... like I said, I too have bought this book and have formed an opinion which is as humble as anyone elses. I would also like to remind members that like it or not BellyBelly is a Gentle parenting forum... and perhaps if you are seeking more support for implementing Gina's routines then maybe you are more likely to find it at another forum.