Any "gina ford" followers out there?

Cookie_monster_7

I've got the book but have found it too complicated to follow so far but I am going to try to get my lo onto her routines because she's got reflux and suffers badly with the pain of trapped wind. Gina seems to say that spacing out the feeds and not overfeeding can sometimes resolve these problems.

The problem I have is that my lo (7weeks) wants to eat upto 6oz every 3 hours then proceeds to have terrible pain and reflux (she's now on infant gaviscon which helps with the sickness but not the pain of trapped wind).

How do I get her to wait 3.5 to 4 hours between feeds? She screams the place down. I try dummies and the swing which work for a wee while. She can't have plain water because its too light and makes her reflux badly. However I do think its worth making her wait because when she has gone 4 hours between feeds she sometimes has no pain or reflux problems. I just don't know if people let their babies cry?

Also do I start with the week one routine and work through them or go straight onto the 7 week routine?

Any other tips about gina's routines would be good too.

I looked on her website but she makes you pay to register there!!!:eek:

gratefulforhelp_2

IMHO Gina Ford needs the book inserted rectally sideways.

Tried it and still feel guilty about it, DD1 is 7 now...

Cookie_monster_7

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

IMHO Gina Ford needs the book inserted rectally sideways.

Tried it and still feel guilty about it, DD1 is 7 now...

Why do you feel guilty about it?

Millie's_Mum

The problem with Baby advice books is that the Baby hasn't read the book.

I had the Gina Ford book with my first LO, there was some useful info in it but the routines were far too strict for me and I could never follow them let alone teach the baby to.

xmaslolly76

Ive never been a fan of Gina Ford at all so cant help as i would never use her methods but i do know people use them and they have success so i wish you all the best and keep my fingers crossed you can get your little one settled nicely :-)

smartie12

The best book to follow... "Mother's instinct";)

It's worked for years and years and doesn't cost a penny!! Yes - some of these experts have some useful tips etc but they're making a small fortune out of new mums.

Talk to real life people (i.e friends) for advice or if things get really bad - the health visitor (if you have a nice one:))

pigpen

You can do as Gina advises and leave her to scream because she is just seeking attention and she will get used to it.. but you may find she gulps that much air while you ignore her screams of hunger the wind is 10 times worse... plus she will be so upset by the time you are 'allowed' to feed her she will either not drink it at all and scream some more or gulp it that fast she is horrendously sick anyway.

Do you eat when you are hungry or when you are told you can?

As the mother of 2 severe reflux babies.. little and often is so much better than huge feeds further apart.. It means the tummy is not over filled with milk or air and it is much easier on the stomach sphincters.

My advice re Gina Ford... bin the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

louise3965

No, I would rather take my advice from folks who have personal experience. She sued mumsnet didnt she for being rude about her so watch your words

fsdss

i have never found Gina ford to be particulary useful, and found that it causes alot more stress than it was worth!! so again i suggest that you file it in the wheelie bin

reflux - what sort of milk are you on? you might find that opting for a thicker milk will help (such as a comfort milk or equivalent).

another option here - recently i have visited a consultant paediatrician in the home to show her some massage moves for colic. the baby was on gaviscon and narititidine for reflux. she told me one of her colleagues suggested the new MAM bottles ( i think mothercare) and this seems to be just her answer.
i have also suggested these bottles for 2 other mothers and it appears that there is less wind. (i suggest Dr Browns too - but they are expensive)

GoldenSwan

Hi,

I hope i can help.
I am a mum to three children, and my first two had severe silent reflux.
I know a lot of people hate Gina's theory but it saved me from going insane. I am not able to post in depth right now but will be back later to answer your questions and give you some other pointers.
Don't despair, you can get through this (with or without Gina.)and i will do my utmost to help you.

I will be back later.

Golden Swan.

pinkclouds

Cookie_monster wrote: »

I just don't know if people let their babies cry?

Also do I start with the week one routine and work through them or go straight onto the 7 week routine?

Any other tips about gina's routines would be good too.

I looked on her website but she makes you pay to register there!!!:eek:

I prefer Dr Sears to Gina Ford. Plus, his website is free.

Anyway, about crying, we *try* not to leave our kids to cry. Not that we're perfect. I remember a few months ago, I was busy in the bathroom with my eldest and my youngest cried himself sick in the cot but I couldn't leave my eldest on the toilet so... you know. This is a useful page on fussing and crying: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t051200.asp

We also try to stick to the 15 minute max "rule" for driving, as described on this page: http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/db1.asp So I wouldn't leave a child to cry for longer than that and would hope it wouldn't be anything like that length of time at home instead of the car.

As for routines, I am under the impression that you always start from the beginning and build up. So, I'd guess you would start from week 1 even though your baby is 7 weeks old.