Please share your experiences with the Gina Ford method | ExpatWoman.com
 

Please share your experiences with the Gina Ford method

984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 January 2013 - 21:09
I thought it was too strict, I have the book if you would like, brand new!
186
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 January 2013 - 20:16
I used the Gina Ford method, my son has been sleeping 7-7 with a dream feed at 10pm from 10 weeks, I dropped the dreamfeed at 4 months. I used her methods loosely and my son is bottle fed not breastfed. I use her timings but not necessarily her 'methods' if that makes sense? However in the early days if he was hungry I fed him. I chose her book as my son had bad colic and it was recommended from a friend plus I had no idea what I was doing ;) It works for some but not everyone x <em>edited by Mrsg1 on 17/01/2013</em>
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2013 - 18:26
my experience with scheduled feeding and EBFing was that it worked for the first 3 months and then my son went on a nursing strike. I had read the baby whisperer books and so was caught up in ideas of foremilk and hindmilk, and avoiding "snacking" at all costs. When I gave in and let my son snack his reflux improved immensely and his weight went up two percentiles, I didn't look back (and have since learned that when a baby feeds often, milk does not separate in the breast so the baby whisperers cautions are completely unfounded). Demand feeding, frankly was easier for both of us. I did introduce a sleep schedule from around 3/4 months. I never forced my baby into it but rather tailored it to fit his natural rhythms and I found having that predictability made planning my day much easier. I had a friend doing GF and our babies nap times were very similar. Before embarking on GF or any other prescriptive routine, you should consider how you feel about "enforcing" it. Are you prepared to leave your baby crying if they don't feel tired or if they feel hungry when the book says otherwise, or would you use it as a rough guideline and still let your baby have a voice. If scheduled feeding resulted in a hungry baby/drop in supply, as it has been shown to do in some cases, would you simply switch to formula (as many do)? Is a baby who sleeps through your number one priority? i know one person who did GF and managed to breastfeed without formula for nearly a year, it is possible in some cases but for many women, not a good idea.
1566
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 January 2013 - 17:20
I've tried it when I was a clueless first time mum, it didn't suit DD, I've since then decided that babies are either Gina Ford babies or they are not...but the heartache at the time was not knowing this and not knowing when to stop trying to rail road the baby into the Gina ford routine. Mixed feeding caused a LOT of feeding problems for DD (I believe it can work for some babies), dd ended up with feeding strikes, dropping 3 percentiles consecutively, it was very stressful, that was my experience...I think in essence it is not dissimilar to the baby whisperer, but is a lot more prescriptive. Gina ford doesn't really sit well with exclusively breast fed babies. The main thing is to really observe and know your baby, she will eventually settle into some sort of a (loose) routine hopefully and the routine will change and change again as the baby grows. Enjoy these baby days! edited by Sugarbeach on 17/01/2013 <em>edited by Sugarbeach on 17/01/2013</em>
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY