Any "gina ford" followers out there?

esmf73

I tried this book on my first - no problem (with some mothers instinct). With my second - by 12 weeks old we were at a Child Protection Meeting where they were discussing taking my children away. All because I was following some of her recommendations. Mothers Instinct EVERY TIME x

Rainey_LB

esmf73 wrote: »

I tried this book on my first - no problem (with some mothers instinct). With my second - by 12 weeks old we were at a Child Protection Meeting where they were discussing taking my children away. All because I was following some of her recommendations. Mothers Instinct EVERY TIME x

I'm sorry but by following a routine for your baby would not have landed up with you being at a Child Protection Meeting.......unless you completely misunderstood the book and hadn't adapted it to fit yours & your babies individual needs, mothers instinct should always take first place over any advice, it should go without saying.

I am a big fan of the book, my children came to no harm, fed & slept happily & contentedly, but if they had been getting distressed by the whole process I think I would of had the common sense to try something else before intervention had to take place.

fsdss

quote "What pattern does the reflux take, ie is it after each feed? How soon and for how long? With the gaviscon she's not really refluxing (I think) I'm assuming the pain is from trapped wind but now you have me thinking it may still be reflux but because she's not bringing anything up I thought it was wind. After a feed she starts to moan and make pushing noises and arch her back and her tummy goes really hard, after about 10 mins of this she starts to cry and this can go on for a couple of hours when I eventually get her to sleep."

i wholeheartedly agree with goldenswans post

when the tummy goes hard and she strains /cries - this is an indication of trapped wind.

how does she suck? - is she ravenous and gobbles it down? or is feeding time a very slow process, (might be a clue about teat size)

positioning will help, as will kangaroo care, warm baths / lifting knees to chest. have you tried baby massage to move that wind along? if not ask your H/V or Sure Start Centre for some help in this, if your in Leics -pm me i can arrange that (Free of course).

how often does she open her bowels?

most importantly - i would look at either changing her bottles to something like the Dr Browns or the MAM ones, the latter ones apparantly are about £2.50 each whereas the Dr Browns are usually £10 +

and latterly - which formula do you use? discuss with the HV about her milk - she might just need a different formula
such as these ones

http://www.smanutrition.co.uk/SMA-Products/SMA-Range/Staydown-Infant-Milk/Product/tabid/621/Default.aspx

http://www.aptamil.co.uk/products/article/aptamil-comfort?tr=carousel

BTW, all milk companies do a thicker milk - these highlighted are just examples

gratefulforhelp_2

Cookie_monster wrote: »

Why do you feel guilty about it?

bylromarha wrote: »

Seriously still feel guilty 7 years on? Why? Is your child mentally, emotionally and physically scarred from the experience? Let it go.

While the book made perfect sense to me before I had a child, when she was born, and she clearly hadn't read the book, the ideas 1. didn't work and 2. were so far against my instincts as to seem to me quite abhorrent.

Also it seemed to me a desperately self-defeating process whose aim was essentially to make the baby more convenient to one's lifestyle. And for me, what then was the point of having a baby?

I have no desire to criticise women who use the book, but for me it doesn't make any kind of sense. I imagine it would work much better for a bottle-fed baby, where the baby is filled up with heavy powdered milk and then will snooze for ages at a time.

bylromarha My elder daughter is fine, thanks, but I did chuck the book in the bin after a few weeks!

do_it_today!

Hello :hello:
I've read Gina Ford and Im a dippy follower - (ie dip in for what works and dont bother with what doesnt) I have losely followed the routines but not religiously... there are times when my baby hasnt wanted to ie teething - not well - blah blah. I dont follow the controlled crying and generally follow my instincts.
things like getting ready for bathtime I thought were great 'cause I didnt have a clue...
I think she has some useful ideas and every baby and carer is different so that has to be taken into account also.

AnnaLicious_2

Throw the gina ford book out, along with the gaviscon. I think her methods are harsh and cruel. 6 ounces every 3 hours is normal. Babies cry because their digestive systems are only tiny. Have you tried switching to Aptimel comfort formula?
My baby had all these problems. At 7 weeks old, I stopped the gaviscon, infacol, and other advice after a visit to a very arrogant and rude gp. I fed her when she wanted, winded her for ages, and gave her a bottle with warm water when her belly hurt. After a few sips of water she'd let out a tremendous burp then go to sleep.
Motherhood because a lot easier when I started ignoring other people.

AnnaLicious_2

Forgot to mention - gaviscon can make babies constipated. My baby would cry more when she had it, as her belly hurt so much. Then she'd have these horrible pasty poos that hurt her.

clairehi

The last thing you may feel you need is more advice but have you tried the mumsnet forums - there are a lot more people there who may be able to help with suggestions re the reflux problem and also reassure you that it wont go on forever.

gratefulforhelp_2

AnnaLicious wrote: »

Motherhood because a lot easier when I started ignoring other people.

You've nailed it!:T

GoldenSwan

Hi Cookie monster,
Thanks for your pm. About to leave for the school run, just wanted to say i have seen your pm and i will post on here later this evening.
Sorry i haven't checked in sooner, just had a very busy few days, and haven't visited the site!

Golden Swan