Getting a newborn to sleep for longer stretches is one of the biggest challenges many new parents face. It’s common to search for routines, schedules, and sleep-training methods that promise more predictable sleep for both babies and parents.
One approach that has remained popular for years is the Babywise method, a structured “eat, wake, sleep” routine created by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo. While some parents report success with the program, the method has also faced criticism from pediatricians and parenting experts because of its strict feeding and scheduling recommendations.
Here’s what parents should know about the Babywise sleep method, why it remains controversial, and what concerns some medical professionals have raised about the approach. Parents considering any sleep-training or feeding program for a newborn should discuss concerns and questions with their pediatrician.
Key Takeaways
- The Babywise method follows a structured “eat, wake, sleep” routine for infants.
- Some pediatricians and parenting experts have criticized the method’s strict feeding schedules.
- Critics warn that rigid schedules may not align with newborn hunger cues.
- Parents should always discuss feeding and sleep concerns with their pediatrician.
What Is the Babywise Method?
The Babywise method encourages parents to follow a structured feeding and sleep routine beginning in infancy. The On Being Babywise book, better known as Babywise, is written by husband-and-wife team Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo. The Babywise method is a sleep-training tool for parents that promises results: a baby sleeping through the night, which can sound appealing to many sleep-deprived new parents. We’ve summarized the basic guidelines of the book below:
Follow a Structured Daily Schedule
Babywise guides parents to feed their little ones every 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on their age. Compared to on-demand eating (feeding your baby when they show signs of hunger), babies on this stricter routine must be fed upon waking, played with after feeding, and then put back to sleep. They will repeat the process in that exact order all day long. This “eat, wake, sleep” approach is encouraged for newborns and infants up to 6 months old.
Related: Sleep Training: What It Is and What to Expect
Set a Wake-up Time and Bedtime
The book advises families to create a wake-and-sleep schedule to help set their baby’s internal clock. The most commonly followed regimen is a 7 a.m. wake and a 7 p.m. bedtime.
Encourage Full Feedings
The authors also note that babies should take a full feeding to fill their stomachs for a longer period. They believe this ensures a longer and more comfortable sleep. According to the Ezzos, infants on this strict regimen should sleep throughout the night from an early age, typically around eight to 12 weeks old.
Wake Your Baby for Feedings
Babywise further recommends waking babies to eat to help them stick to the specified schedule. It also suggests that parents allow enough feeding throughout the day. The attachment parenting style, which promotes constant physical closeness and responsiveness to their newborn, advises parents to feed their babies on cue instead.
Related: Best Baby Sleep Books for New Parents
Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment
The book says it’s important to help your baby feel comfortable so they can sleep through the night. You can close the blinds or curtains and dim the lights. Use a small white noise machine to block out any sounds that could wake them. Sticking to the ritual before each sleep, even if it’s a nap, is important.
Use a Swaddle
Another tactic to help your newborn sleep better is using a swaddle. This prevents the Moro reflex (or startle reflex) from occurring. This reflex can make babies suddenly jerk or startle while sleeping, leading them to make jerky movements out of fear. As a result, sudden gestures can wake them. However, a swaddle will confine their movements, allowing them to stay asleep.
Related: How to Swaddle a Baby: Step-by-Step Guide for New Parents
Why Some Experts Criticize the Babywise Method
Many concerns surrounding the Babywise method focus on feeding schedules, infant hunger cues, and newborn development.
The Babywise program has received criticism from some pediatricians and parents who believe the “Parent Directed Feeding” guidelines, as the book refers to them, can place infants at higher risk of malnutrition, emotional disorders, and failure to thrive.
In 1998, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warned parents against the book’s recommendations.1 They stated that it could lead to dehydration, delayed development, lack of weight gain, impaired growth, and involuntary early weaning in infants. The AAP further added that the advice could lead to a lack of milk supply in mothers.1
Another primary concern of the AAP is Ezzo’s advice to feed infants based on a parent’s self-made schedule rather than when they show signs of hunger. In the AAP’s 1994 parenting guide, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, which was co-authored by over 70 doctors co-authored, parents are advised to feed their baby based on the schedule the infant “designs himself.”
The book states, “Your baby lets you know when he’s hungry. Whenever possible, use (your baby’s hunger cues) rather than the clock to decide when to nurse him.”2
The AAP further added, “Scheduled feedings designed by parents may put babies at risk for poor weight gain and dehydration.”2 Instead, they suggest parents should nurse newborns at least once every two to three hours or whenever they show signs of hunger, such as mouthing, rooting, or an increase in alertness and activity. Newborn hunger cues can also include sucking motions and hand-to-mouth movements.
Related: Creating Your Baby’s Schedule: Tips and Sample Routines
There are many different approaches to infant sleep and feeding, and what works well for one family may not work for another. Every baby develops feeding and sleep patterns at their own pace. Parents should always pay close attention to their baby’s hunger cues, growth, development, and overall well-being.
If you have questions about feeding schedules, sleep training, or your baby’s growth, talk with your pediatrician for guidance that fits your child’s individual needs.
