The Contented Baby with Toddler Book

by Gina Ford

The prospect of bringing a tiny baby home when you already have a toddler can be extremely daunting. Life with a newborn baby is tiring and challenging enough but with a demanding older brother or sister to deal with too, how do you cope? Gina Ford's practical tips and sanguine advice will calm and reassure all panicked parents. A major feature of the book is the adaptable routines, specifically designed to help new parents structure their day to meet all the needs of their toddler and their new baby, and still have time for lots of cuddles. By using Gina's easy-to-follow methods not only will new parents have a contented baby who feeds regularly and sleeps through the night from an early age, but also a happy, involved toddler who remains calm and cooperative during this unsettled time.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nicolette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gina Ford has quite a strict routine for both the baby and the toddler, but I think it’s great the way she has thought of everything. It’s helpful if you’re not a strong planner as it helps you to think ahead of what’s needed in the day eg snacks. I tend to only think of the next item for the day when my baby is napping and then I generally run out of time to finish my activity.

While strict, I think the baby routine works because it helps you identify possible reasons for your baby being upset. If it’s 15 min before feed time and your baby is crying, you know why it’s crying. My baby is on a similar routine to hers and it works well.

I think she could cover more explanations on how to tackle issues. She is very matter of fact with issues, but doesn’t describe how to tackle issues if your baby is not the ideal baby. For example, if your baby starts waking at night and was previously sleeping through, what happens if the baby doesn’t want to take the dummy or a sip of water? She does have good, detailed solutions in the Problems section, but those are also specific to situations. I think she could also be more lenient/compassionate when babies are 0-6 weeks. While my son is on a schedule now (he’s 8 weeks), he certainly wasn’t in the first 5 or 6 weeks which stressed me out enormously. My son also doesn’t go down well to sleep and must be rocked most of the time. How should I deal with that besides using a cry down?

Overall I have given the book a good rating for the thoughtfulness of the routine, details on what to do if certain things go wrong in the day, and details in the problem section. Even though it doesn’t cover everything I would’ve liked, the book still covers a good amount of detail for establishing a good routine. Using some of the principles from her book, my son is currently sleeping through the night.

[Alicia R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested about routines and how to establish them with 2 children. However some of the stuff in this book is ridiculous! Sleeping through before they’re 2 months?! Feeding them sugar water??
If you read this before children the author would make you believe babies are more like robots than humans...

[Ross Huggett]

As with most of the childcare books I've read, I found the bits that I thought would apply to my family useful. I think it will be a good reference book for me as things progress. I liked the kit and to do lists. That should be useful.

[Philitsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to reserve complete judgment on this book until I can verify its application -- which is to say that I have a baby with a toddler!

The book is very British, referring to tea times and nappies, but the gist of it is this: You've got a toddler on a schedule and a newborn who's a total wreck initially. How do you work both schedules into your day (which includes household chores and other domestic crap) without pulling your hair out?

The book gets very hands-on, describing when to feed, when to pump, when to play, when to do bath time, and what NOT to do to get the new little one into a routine that fits your current life.

I will definitely refer back to this book right after my new baby arrives. Well oiled machine, here I come!

-----Update-----

If I lived in an alternate universe where I was a stay at home mom with two kids, otherwise not employed, or had a completely absentee husband as it pertains to child care, this book would be invaluable. It lays down firm schedules of events for both kids that compliment one another and cater to the infant's changing needs. And firmness is something that I welcome when I'm frazzled. However, my toddler goes to school during the day. And when she is home, my husband and I alternate the care of the kids individually.

So, while I can imagine that this book and its schedules would be handy for some people, it's not for me.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one to review. It's very British so a certain amount of translation is necessary :) Her program is incredibly regimented. I'm afraid it won't work for me since the twins will not allow me to be that structured. I liked that she addressed issues with conflicting schedules with your toddler and how to adapt, as well as breastfeeding/pumping advice. I'm not super comfortable with the ease she tells you to split naps and feeds. She must have some sort of magic voodoo for getting her babies to do exactly what she wants when she wants! I could use some of that good juju!

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gives you some ideas of where to start when faced with managing both a toddler and newborn schedule which are reassuring but ultimately seems like you need to be hyper disciplined in order to make it work, which we're not. It also seems like it would help to have a photographic memory - all the rules are hard to remember!

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gina Ford. She offers practical advice and has helped me to become a confident mom, which has definitely changed my life. I love the schedules she gives in the books. I may not stick to it 100%, but it is a great guideline.

[Esther Ruijgvoorn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The contented baby is one of the best parenting books I have 'used' during the first year with both my kids. I bought this book when #2 was on its way, but it didn't add anything to the first book. Read is once, never picked it up again.

[Alexandra]

Aidan, Laura Maisie & their Mummy are having fun challenging Ms. Ford's timetable

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has a pretty rigid schedule to go by - has some good tips, but as much as I love sticking to a routine, I don't even think I could stick to her schedule

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

One for fans of routine, schedules and regimented ideas only, I think. As a general comment it's a much better written book than most parenting guides I've come across.