Babywise is the baby sleep tips that my husband and I chose before our son was born, and we are so glad we did. Our son was a horrible sleeper from birth; awake for what seemed like all. day. long. He was very difficult to get to sleep, and he was very difficult to keep asleep.
We tried it all: swing, wrapping, holding, pacifier, shorter awake time, longer awake time, more stimulation, less stimulation. I could drone on and on about all the things we tried.
I was exhausted and in tears, and that’s putting it nicely. I’m so grateful we started the Babywise basics at birth and dove right into sleep training at six weeks because things really did dramatically improve after that.
1. Babywise teaches children to sleep well.
We started some Babywise basics at birth with the first basic thing being the wake, eat, sleep cycle. As soon as he woke up from sleeping, I would feed him, then we would play for a bit, and then he would nap or go down for the night.
This cycle really brought predictability, routine and structure to our day, but it also helped get him in a nice sleep rhythm from the get-go. Several weeks into our routine, we decided to start sleep training since we were really struggling with everything in the sleep department.
So at six weeks old, we started laying our son down for naps and bedtime while he was awake, but drowsy. Overtime, he learned how to fall asleep independently.
We stuck with the Babywise method and he dropped all night feedings on his own at around the four month mark. Of course night waking and subsequent feedings occur on and off due to growth spurts, teething, illness, etc., but for the most part, they become infrequent.
2. Babywise enables easy nap and bedtime routines.
In a short time, bedtime and naptime may very well become the easiest part of the day. The baby learns that sleep is expected following a pre-nap routine and a pre-bedtime routine.
I currently have a five minute nap routine and a 30 minute bedtime routine for our son. I love these quick routines because they allow me to maximize naptime to get things done around the house or take a shower, and I’m able to preserve more time and energy for quality playtime with my son.
3. Babywise keeps children at their best.
Quality sleep is the basic foundation for a wide-array of positive benefits such as improved memory, creativity, attention and learning. Jameson is often complimented on being a good baby, and I truly believe this has more to do with him receiving quality sleep than anything else.
I see the little monster he turns into when he isn’t well rested. Most babies are naturally good when they are well rested. With quality sleep we consolidate memories or “practice” skills learned while we were awake. In addition to improving memories, the brain reorganizes and restructures them, which may result in more creativity.
When kids are well rested, they are better able to focus and absorb information throughout the day. Quality sleep also balances mood, enhances emotional stability and may enable obedience in your child. The benefits of quality sleep are endless really.
4. Babywise helps keep a marriage healthy.
I believe marriage is the foundation of the nuclear family, and a strong foundation helps grow a healthy family. Babywise advocates for an early bedtime, and I couldn’t agree more with this idea. Every night my husband and I enjoy a few coveted hours of time just being adults.
Focusing and investing in your spouse for a few uninterrupted hours each day can really help build a stronger relationship. It’s all too easy for children to take over every aspect our lives. Preserving time for each day for our marriage honestly makes all the difference in our relationship.
5. Babywise allows parents to get much needed rest too.
The same benefits of sleep gained by children apply to us as parents. And let’s face it. We are all human. We are not robots. We need rest too.
Even as an adult, I truly need about 8 hours a day, which I do regularly try to reach because I really am a better mom when I get enough sleep. With Babywise if we want to sleep longer at night, we can.
If we want to sleep shorter at night and get more done around the house while the children sleep, we can.
6. Babywise does enrich a healthy parent/child attachment bond.
I often hear a lot of bad press out there about Babywise, saying it causes attachment disorders. This has not been my experience, not even close, and I do know many parents, who use the Babywise method and enjoy positive experiences.
Enjoying enriching experiences together is our everyday normal because time and energy are reserved for actual playtime rather than sleeping battles. I’ve always read that children thrive on routine, structure, boundaries, and this is extremely true of my experience with our son.
The Babywise method offers parents practical tools that enable optimal sleep habits in children. Quality rest, easy bedtime and naptime rituals, and healthy parent-child attachment are all possible. Out of all the parenting styles out there, I know Babywise isn’t the only one, but I do think it’s a great option worth looking into.
We LOVE Baby Wise and used it for all four of our kids (though I only skimmed it the first time around). The method is spot on and our kids have all been excellent sleepers at bed time and nap time. Such a great book!
Jennifer, I couldn’t agree with you more! Thanks for visiting!
i am a mom of six and have used babywise from the beginning. My first baby was by the book PERFECT, slept through at ten weeks and never looked back. The others were… not so perfect, but it was still such a great way to help them work through their sleep issues. It is a great method!
And for years, I have now enjoyed predictable, hassle-free naptimes EVERY DAY with my youngest kid. My sanity requires this, but it would not have been possible if we were not “babywise!”
Emily, I agree with you 100%! I don’t know where I would be without Babywise. Thanks so much for visiting!
Have used it with the kids and love it! I feel extremely bonded with all my babies too and I must admit, that feels easier when we are all at our best!
It is definitely easier when we are all at our best that’s for sure. And I’m definitely the first one in the family to lose charisma when I get over-tired, ha, ha.
Love babywise. Setting the foundation early allows us an amazing amount of flexibility at this point (7 months). She is able to adapt really well and easily to nonroutine days and travel!
I did babywise with my son – best thing I ever did. He is three and is a great sleeper. I really like the reasons you listed all things I agree with and pretty much why we decided to do it too.
We love Babywise. Having the courage to sleep-train can really make all the difference. Thanks so much for visiting!
Hi Lauren, I found you originally on pinterest from someone else I am following….that’s how it goes. I used Babywise 25 years ago with my children and my sisters did as well. I have seen so many parents helped through these principles. Parenting is hard work but this material puts you on a path to make it exceptionally rewarding and enjoyable (LOL most days). Between my 2 sisters and myself we have 11 children and we could take them anywhere. Many times and I mean often, people would come to us with a smile on their face and tell us how much they enjoyed being around us, sometimes they would pay for our meals or buy us deserts, especially McDonalds ice cream. My son is getting married to a very like-minded girl who has been raised the same way and I can not wait to enjoy my grandchildren! Your blog is informative and encouraging and I have already forwarded it on. Keep up the good work and may the Lord bless you in it.
Eva, thank you so much for your encouraging words! It is my hope that through these posts moms will feel encouraged and supported if they choose Babywise and all that goes with it. I too get many complements, and people often tell me how lucky I am to have such a good baby. I don’t believe it was luck; I whole-heartedly believe it’s Babywise. My husband and I are continuing to use the -Wise Series as our son gets older and we are really enjoying it.
hi, I’m really frustrated with my baby. My main problem is he doesnt nap during the day. so he will sleep during the day between 10 and 40 minutes each nap. I can never wait for 3 hour mark to feed him next cuz hes up.for so long and crying and overtired. he is 11 weeks old. can i start sleep training? hes s good sleeper at night it’s just during the day that hes up.
I think I read through your whole site! everytime i try to.implemet a routine something goes wrong, like his stomach is bothering him etc oh he is breastfeeding and sometimes formula fed
any tips will be so greatly appreciated
Hey there Lauren! My baby is 8 weeks old and sleeps well…for naps in her carrier or rock/n/play. We have a pretty good schedule…6:20/6:30 am wakeup and feed, nap from 7:45 until 9:30, 9:30 feed, nap from 10:45 until 12:30, feed at 12:30, nap from 1:30 until 3, feed at 3, nap from 4-4:40, feed at 5 and 6:30ish then bed at 7. She’s waking up at 12:45/1 am and then sleeps until 5:45/6 am. We aren’t sleeping in our crib yet. Should I scrap my current schedule and start with Babywise(crib sleeping…feedings every 3 hours)? Or just start the crib putting with my current schedule? I feel like we’ve got a good thing going for now and am a little scared to scrap the progress we’ve made. Or one more feeding at like 9 pm to try and eliminate the 1 am feeding? What is your advice?