RAISING
BABIES BY THE BOOK
Bradenton
Herald
The
teachings of Preparaton for Parenting, a parenting
program written by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
of the Chatsworth, California-based Growing Families
International, contrast with those taught by the
53,000-member American Academy of Pediatrics, the
world's largest organization of pediatricians.
Issues... |
What the Ezzos Teach... |
What DoctorsTeach... |
|
Concerning
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome |
They
question scientific findings which indicate
laying an infant down on its back may
reduce the chance of SIDS. |
Research
shows babies sleeping on their backs or
sides are at a lower rate for SIDS. |
On
feeding a baby |
They
warn parents of "demand feeding'' infants,
saying it may produce a "high-need,''
baby with symptoms of colic (excessive
unexplained crying), instability in sleep
and feeding cycles, perpetual need for
comfort nursing, limited self-play adeptness,
a demanding toddler and a tired mother,
among other things. |
Breastfed
and bottlefed babies should be treated
differently
Breastfed
babies should be fed more frequently
than their bottlefed counterparts, particluarly
whenever they provide signals such a
nuzzling, making sucking motions, fussing
or crying, commonly known as `demand
feeding.'
|
On colic |
Characterized
by unexplained bouts of intense crying,
they say the condition is more prevalant
in babies fed on demand. No research references
are cited. |
Demand-feeding
is not cited as a cause nor is any relationship
established between colic and demand breastfeeding.
|
On a mother's
ability to produce breastmilk |
They say
longer periods of time between breastfeeding,
to a certain degree, will create an increase
in milk production in the mother. |
The milk-producing
hormone prolactin is released while breastfeeding
and breastfeeding more frequently causes
her to make more milk. |
On letting
babies cry |
They say
parents should not respond immediately
to a baby's cries, but should instead
check on the baby every 15 minutes. A
baby may be left to cry to avoid a "predisposition
to immediate gratification.'' |
The best
way to handle crying is to respond promptly
to the infant during the first few months.
You cannot spoil a young baby by giving
him attention; and if you answer his calls
for help, he'll cry less overall. |
On determining
if an infant is getting enough |
They suggest
counting the number of wet diapers, in
addition to watching for other signs. |
Wet and soiled
diapers should be counted, in addition
to watching for possible signs of dehydration
including a sunken in soft-spot, no tears
when crying or lethargy. |
|
Information
taken from 'Preparation for Parenting,' a course
written by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo and 'Your Baby
and Young Child, Ages Birth to 5,' published by
the 53,000-member American Academy of Pediatrics. |