July 13, 2007

• Controversial Topic

  There is nothing more controversial than differing opinions on how to raise and train children.  One of the very first “hot issues” I’ve encountered as a Mom is the virtual war between the “Scheduled” feeding Mom’s vs. the “UN scheduled” feedings.  Somewhere in the middle is what I suspect to be the majority, although far less vocal women who end up doing some compromise or blend of different elements each side holds dear.  To these women it’s “Whatever works for me, my baby and my family.”

  Several people mentioned the book “Babywise” by Gary Ezzo to me as I asked for recommendations of various informative books to read on the subject of scheduling in regards to babies.  Being so busy before Noelle was born I never got a chance to order and read it in spite of the glowing recommendations I heard.  Recently I got to spend time with a fairly ardent supporter of the Ezzo’s methods.  She strongly encouraged me to get Noelle on a schedule as soon as possible for her well being.  This was a prompt for me to start researching to see what I could find available for free on the web regarding the Ezzo’s feeding schedule etc.  To be honest everything I heard about it sounded wonderful, although most of it I felt like we already had.  Noelle was sleeping 6 and 7 hours at a time from the time she was 5 weeks old.  She has also been for the most part a very good, content baby which is apparently one of the things the book promises as a result of following their schedule.

  Several things that I found as I did my searches caused me great concern.    I wanted to post a very brief synopsis of the apparently growing body of serious problems many have with the Ezzo’s methods.  My disclaimer up front is below.  My purpose for posting these things is so that perhaps someone else out there that may not be familiar at all with the Ezzo’s or their teachings will get another perspective of some of the potential problems that can arise and therefore avoid some of the grief and heartache some parents have experienced.

  Disclaimer!  I have not read the book “Babywise” or any other materials written from the Ezzo’s except the excerpts from their books linked on various websites.  I have nothing against the Ezzo’s personally.  I believe that many of the really horrible situations that have arisen from those following the Ezzo’s methods have been from parents who have taken what is taught very literally to the exclusion of basic common sense and love.   I believe that many have been helped by this program and that there are many babies who have thrived and done very well while on it. 

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  This is an article by Matthew Aney, M.D.
  http://www.ezzo.info/Aney/aneyaap.htm
  Here are some quotes from the article for those who don’t have time to read the whole thing.
  
  One
  such book, On Becoming Babywise, has raised concern
  among pediatricians because it outlines an infant
  feeding program that has been associated with failure
  to thrive (FTT), poor weight gain, dehydration,
  breast milk supply failure, and involuntary early
  weaning. A Forsyth Medical Hospital Review Committee,
  in Winston-Salem N.C., has listed 11 areas in which
  the program is inadequately supported by conventional
  medical practice.The Child Abuse Prevention Council
  of Orange County, Calif., stated its concern after
  physicians called them with reports of dehydration,
  slow growth and development, and FTT associated
  with the program. And on Feb. 8, AAP District IV
  passed a resolution asking the Academy to investigate
  “Babywise,” determine the extent of its
  effects on infant health and alert its members,
  other organizations and parents of its findings.

  I have
  reviewed numerous accounts of low weight gain and
  FTT associated with “Babywise” and discussed
  them with several pediatricians and lactation consultants
  involved….

  Though
  “Babywise” does say, “With PDF (Parent Directed Feeding), a
  mother feeds her baby when the baby is hungry,”
  it also instructs parents to do otherwise. In a
  question-and-answer section, parents of a 2-week-old
  baby, who did not get a full feeding at the last
  scheduled time and wants to eat again, are instructed
  that babies learn quickly from the laws of natural
  consequences. “If your daughter doesn’t eat
  at one feeding, then make her wait until the next
  one.”

  Examples
  of the many other unsubstantiated medical claims
  in “Babywise” include:

  • “Lack
    of regularity [in feeding intervals] sends a negative
    signal to the baby’s body, creating metabolic
    confusion that negatively affects his or her hunger,
    digestive, and sleep/wake cycles.”
  • “Demand-fed babies don’t sleep through the
    night.”
  • “A mother who takes her baby to her breast
    12, 15, or 20 times a day will not produce any
    more milk than the mom who takes her baby to breast
    six to seven times a day.”
  • “Mothers following PDF have little or no
    problem with the let down reflex, compared to
    those who demand-feed.”
  • “Colic, which basically is a spasm in the
    baby’s intestinal tract that causes pain, is very
    rare in PDF babies but is intensified in demand-fed
    babies.”
  • “In
    our opinion, much more developmental damage is
    done to a child by holding him or her constantly
    than by putting the baby down. In terms of biomechanics
    alone, carrying a baby in a sling can increase
    neck and back problems, or even create them.”
  • “Some
    researchers suggest that putting a baby on his
    or her back for sleep, rather than on the baby’s
    tummy, will reduce the chance of crib death. That
    research is not conclusive, and the method of
    gathering supportive data is questionable.”

  My
  review of the low weight gain and FTT (Failure to Thrive) accounts associated
  with “Babywise” revealed several disturbing
  trends. Parents were often adamant about continuing
  with the feeding schedule, even when advised otherwise
  by health care professionals. They were hesitant
  to tell their physicians about the schedule, making
  it difficult to pinpoint the cause for the weight
  gain problems. Many elected to supplement or wean
  to formula rather than continue breastfeeding at
  the expense of the schedule.
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  One of the most disturbing things to me is how the Ezzo’s seem to have no problem mis representing truth in order to sell their books or lend credibility to what they teach. 
  Example below:

  Well,
  first of all, our advice on feeding babies
  is identical to the American Academy of Pediatrics…
  
  –Gary Ezzo
  in 1999 BBC television interview
  
  September 11-13, 1998: Annual American
  Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Forum passes AAP Resolution
  # 53SC (98)—”Evaluating Infant Management Programs”.
  It noted that the PDF feeding schedule is “inconsistent
  with AAP recommendations” and that “over
  100 health care professionals across the country including
  19 AAP fellows have asked the Academy for feedback on
  [GFI's] potentially harmful program”. It resolved
  that “the Academy continually evaluate infant management
  programs such as Preparation for Parenting and On Becoming
  BABYWISE and regularly report its findings.”

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  Here is an article by a Mom who was a strong supporter of Babywise.
  http://www.ezzo.info/Voices/failed.htm

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  This is the best article/concise information I was able to find.
  http://www.ezzo.info/Aney/tulsakidspart1.pdf

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  I welcome any and all comments!  

  
  
  

  • 3:14 am
  • 9 Comments