Cikina - I second Bathsheba's comments ... don't feel like a failure because the book's routines didn't "work" for you and your baby. The routines will suit some people, but certainly won't suit others. You absolutely have to do what is best for you and your bub - regardless of any book or advice from others.

Bath - I reckon it's horses for courses in terms of the book and its routines. Yes, they are rigid, and as I said above - that will suit some people to a T. But hopefully anyone who gives it a try and finds it doesn't work for them, throws the routines away and adapts to what their baby needs. To me, that's just common sense. You've made fair points, but admittedly I didn't get the impression that Ford thought babies needed to be treated with a firm hand. I guess I'm thinking of that horrid Truvy approach, or whatever it was, from that 'Bringing up Baby' series recently on the ABC. Now THAT was a shocking routine!

Despite my original intentions to use Ford's routines with DS, I found I really didn't need to. Fortunately, from the time DS was born, he quickly decided he'd like to be fed approx every 3-4 hours, and he slept easily day and night. Truth be told, I was blessed with any easygoing, adaptable child who determined his own little routine. In hindsight, I doubt I could have stuck to Ford's routine as rigidly as I was supposed to, and the routines don't really account for anything "out of the ordinary" happening.

I still think Ford makes some very valid points in her book - such as getting your baby used to going to sleep in its cot from the get-go; having block-out curtains so that baby's room is dark during the day; expressing so dad can give baby one feed a day, and probably the best tip of all - the longer you can (realistically and gently) get your bub to stay awake during the day, the more likely they are to sleep at night. At least, that worked for us - and I didn't have to torture DS to keep him awake and amused for an extra few minutes during the day (I'm thinking of that Truvy method again!)

At the end of the day - all mums (and dads) have to do what's right for their bubs and them. Ford's book has worked a treat for several easy-going, terrific parents I know ... equally it hasn't suited others, and they've thrown the book and its routines out the window and concentrated on raising a content child their way.

Andie