In 1998 there was an AAP article written titled, "Babywise advice linked to dehydration, failure to thrive." This article pushed for pediatricians and lactation consultants to recognize the "potential dangers" and "harmful consequences" of Babywise.
I will preface with saying this article was written based on the 1995 edition of Babywise - which I have not read. So a lot of what was said could very well have been true. HOWEVER, many parents, pediatricians, lactation consultants, etc., still base their beliefs off of this one article, which is simply not true anymore.
Let's take a look at some of the main points the article claims Babywise makes, and what Babywise actually says.
1. The book's feeding schedule, called Parent Directed Feeding (PDF), consists of feeding newborns at intervals of three to three and one-half hours beginning at birth. Nighttime feedings are eliminated at eight weeks.
This is a very broad statement that should include A LOT more context. Babywise states, "With the PDF approach you feed your baby when he is hungry, but the clock provides the protective limits so you are not feeding too often or too little." So while, yes, a Babywise schedule may show on paper feeding every 3-3.5 hours, this does not mean that is only when you feed no matter what. If baby is hungry before then, you feed. However that 3-3.5 hours gives you a protective limit in case you have a baby who is sluggish/weak/tired and doesn't show hunger cues, making it easy to go longer and risk baby not receiving the proper nutrition they need. "It is a protective backup for weak and sickly babies who may not be able to cry (show hunger cues) effectively."
Babywise does not suggest that you eliminate nighttime feedings by 8 weeks. It simply states that some babies are capable of sleeping through the night by 8 weeks. This is true - some do. I personally know a few friends' babies that did, all of which are not Babywise babies. However, this is pretty rare.
2. 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."
I'm not sure if the 1995 edition actually did say this, but I know that the response to this question in the newer editions says, "If she is hungry, feed her, but work on keeping your baby awake to take a full feeding from both breasts." (Appendix Three: Problem Solving).
3. Although demand feeding is endorsed by the Academy, WHO, and La Leche League among others, "Babywise" claims that demand feeding may be harmful and outlines a feeding schedule in contrast to it.
Again, there is a lot more context that needs to be given here. When it comes to Demand Feeding or Child-Led Feeding, Babywise simply makes the note that babies are constantly changing and growing which can lead them to engage in behaviors that may appear as hunger cues when they are not (i.e hands in mouth could be due to teething, crying could be due to over tired, over stimulated, cold/hot, upset stomach, etc). If you are feeding every single time baby shows a hunger cue, without first assessing if they truly are hungry, you could risk over-feeding and/or overlooking other areas of discomfort. And on the other side, if you have a weak/sickly/sluggish baby who doesn't show hunger cues for 4, 5, 6 hours, then baby could be at risk of not receiving proper nourishment.
Babywise states multiple times if baby is hungry FEED HIM, so I am not sure where the idea comes from that food is ever withheld.
4. Unfortunately, the schedules in "Babywise" does not take into account differences among breastfeeding women and babies.
In Chapter 3: Babies and Sleep, Babywise specifically talks about Formula-Fed Babies. And in Chapter Four: Facts on Feeding, Babywise specifically covers the difference between a full formula feed and a full breast-feed. It even goes into detail the difference in timing these feeds. Formula feeding is mentioned 86 times throughout the book, and breastfeeding/nursing is mentioned 107 (these numbers could be more, but this is what I counted).
I don't write this as a means to judge anyone. In fact, the reason I read Babywise, in the first place, was because a friend told me they were doing it. I had heard all the above myself, and if I'm being completely transparent, I was out to prove them wrong. When in fact, I was the one proven wrong.
If have heard stories from many Babywise parents (including myself) who have been belittled and shamed by others, and it breaks my heart. We should be encouraging one another as moms, not judging. If Babywise has been amazing for your family, like it has mine, that's amazing! If Babywise isn't for you, that's also great! As long as you are providing for your child in a way that allows them to thrive that's all that matters.
And here's the thing. No doctor, no parent, no philosophy is perfect. There are a few things that I don't agree with 100% in Babywise; and that's going to be the case with every single parenting philosophy out there. This is because every child is different, and what works for one may not work for the other. And what one parent may be comfortable with, another may not. And that's okay! But let's not be quick to judge (speaking to myself here too)!
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