Being a mum in this world is much like anything, everybody does it differently and when mums meet up we talk about what works and what doesn’t, in our opinions.
One thing that has worked for me is Gina Ford and I know there are different opinions and I fully respect everyone’s experience but I’ve had a positive experience and would like to speak up for it. This is especially as it gets pitched against attachment parenting and from my experience Grace and I have bonded and she feels secure; she has never had to ‘cry out’, I believe she benefits from a healthy sleep pattern and I make use of her regular nap times and night sleeps. So thank you Gina Ford for my contented baby.
Ode to Gina Ford
I haven’t had a timetable since I was at school And if you’re doing Gina Ford, it seemed uncool Click To TweetThere was so much to remember but it worked a charm,
All I had to do was set a wake-eat-sleep alarm.
I haven’t had a timetable since I was at school
And if you’re doing Gina Ford, it seemed uncool
But when I got to eight weeks and she slept (smile) through.
Then I strung a sentence together. I thought this will do.
From the start she was trained to fall asleep on her own.
No rocking or holding, learning she could do it alone.
And a light sleep to deep sleep, without me jumping in.
She took her naps and I rested, contented, a win.
She never had to cry out, she knew no other way,
She was contented to expect the same everyday.
Now that’s security, an attachment Bowlby dream;
She was provided for under a Gina regime.
She took my milk but theirs so much she didn’t need me for
And I’m so happy to have built a healthy rapport.
Mama Grace
This post first appeared on http://www.meetothermums.com
My first got into a very loose Gina routine but my second wouldn’t have any of it. Took over an hour to get her to sleep for naps. I think if babies can slot into a routine nicely it works well. Great poem x #bigpinklink
Fab post! I wish I’d discovered Gina Ford when mine were babies xx #DreamTeam
It’s fabulous when you find that thing that works for you isn’t it #TwinklyTuesday
It is.
I m glad you found something that works for you! That is the best 🙂 #happynowlinkup
I think as a parent you just do whatever works for you whether that be Gina Ford or baby wearing. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
Absolutely. I love how there are so many different ways to get to a destination. It’s what makes life interesting. Whether that be parenting, careers or relationships with our OH.
I love this. I think it’s like everything else – you find what works for you. Whatever you choose to do someone will tell you you’re wrong so you might as well choose the thing that works for you
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
Haha, yep. I’m a firm believer in living life for you.
I had to pop over and read this 😉 It’s funny because without ever having read anything by Gina Ford, it turns out that the sleep thing sound exactly like what I have done with both my two. Amelia slept through from 8 weeks and Wills from 12 weeks. I set alarms for their midnight and 4am feeds to start with, and I ALWAYS put them to bed at 7pm after little bath. Honestly though, it was more for my sanity than anything else! These days, if the kids are up past 7pm we find it hard to handle haha!! #BloggerClubUK
You’re gut mumma and spot on, yeah it’s just a routine. Thanks for popping over.
I must admit that I’ve never actually read any of Gina Ford’s books but our two did follow a rough version of her evening and sleep routine which I mostly found through copying a friend. It really works for us and we’ve had two great sleepers from a really early age. I think there is a lot to be said for routine. Great poem as always lovely. Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x
You are right to celebrate your success, and as you say, GF does have a bit of a bad rep BUT if you are getting sleep, it’s a WIN! Or kids loved a bit of routine, and I think I needed it a bit too!
Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub
It’s great that it worked for you. Personally I sent a fan. Then again our routine is all to pot in this house. Maybe I should be 😜
Oh I’m pro choosing what you’re happy with, you’re the one that has to live with it. I do dislike the bad press or opinions that are formed, often by people that are reacting to a thing they’ve read. It’s great that we get to bring up our children as we see fit and as we see what works. We’re only the experts of our own children.
I didn’t follow Gina. But I believe in routine. It worked for us Thanks for linking up to #FridayFrolics
I didn’t follow the Gina Ford routine to the letter as it didn’t fit for us completely, but I did use it at the basis for forming my own routine and it worked a charm. I passed my copy on to my sister in law when she was struggling getting her first into a routine and while it didn’t work great for her first, it was perfect for her second.
Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x
I wish we knew about this back in the day, some almost 10 years ago. Out two littles are still quite the fuss, and sleeping with us! Oy vey! #triumphanttales xoxo
Aaah, what a lovely poem!! I agree, I’m a huge believer in doing what is right for you. I know there’s been a lot of negativity around Gina Ford, but if other parents can’t understand that every single baby, and every single family, is different, then they’re not the sort of people I’d associate with! I tried the baby whisperer with my eldest, but it seemed to cause more stress when it didn’t work! So I just let him do his own thing, and he found his own perfect routine at around 7 months, and it was a lot more plain sailing from there! Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink
‘The Baby Whisperer’ does sound magical though.
Fab you have found something that really works for you Thank you for linking to #ThatFridayLinky Please come back next week
Oh my goodness – you have just given me flasbacks to the Gina Ford days. She tortured me. It was much better second time round when I just actually followed the cues of my baby, instead of trying to shoehorm them in a routine. Genius post. #FridayFrolics
My mum always says – if baby’s happy, mum’s happy – and she’s got a point, and I’m sure the routine helps. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
I’ve yet to read a Gina Ford book however have heard about her and that not a lot if mums like her ideas. I do believe in a good routine though.
Love this post. I think it highlights how important it is to go with what works for your baby. There is so much advice out there, you sometimes just have to follow your instinct. I also think that routine is so important for babies and children, so I can totally see why this works. Thanks for linking up with Tactical Tuesdays – see you next week! #TacticalTuesdays
Thank you. You do have to go with what works for you, you’re the one that has to live with it. We’re only experts on our children.
Thanks. A mothers instinct is so tuned to her baby too. She knows what’s best for them.
I’m one of those that Gina Ford is not for, but whatever works for you is great! Thanks so much for joining us for #FridayFrolics
Great that you found something to work for you. I did the whole Gina Ford thing and it worked for a short while until we had issues with reflux and then it all seemed to go out of the window! Well done to you though. Apologies for the late comment, holidays got in the way, better late than never! Thanks for linking up to #TriumphantTales, hope to see you on Tuesday!
Oh I’d rather you enjoy your holiday. I’ve just come from a volcano trek. These things are more important.