On Becoming Baby Wise Book Two: Parenting Your Pre Toddler 5-12 Month Old Through the Babyhood Transition
by Gary Ezzo, Robert Bucknam

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Book Summary Information

• ISBN13: 9780971453210
• Condition: New
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Book Reviews of On Becoming Baby Wise Book Two: Parenting Your Pre Toddler 5-12 Month Old Through the Babyhood Transition

Book Review: Babywise II ~ Not So Wise!
Summary: 3 Stars

On Becoming Babywise II was written with the intent of guiding parents through the pre-toddler phase, 5 to 15 months of age. Best received by advocates of the first book, as the foundation for routine is already established. The text of this book concentrates on behavioral training and feeding.

Pros:
Chapter 3 - Mealtime Activities
This section focuses on the essentials of feeding a pre-toddler. There are complete instructions on introducing solids, making your own baby food, finger foods, snacks, and weaning. I found this chapter to be extremely helpful.

Chapter 4 - Highchair Manners
Mr. Ezzo concentrates on mealtime training in this chapter, since children spend hours a week in their highchair, and the self-control learned to properly handle food, is the same self-control needed for life outside the kitchen. I quickly realized baby hands were an issue when my son began solid foods. Following Ezzo's advice, I held his hands underneath the highchair tray with one hand, and fed him with the other. In a few short weeks, he understood, his hands went on his lap when eating, and when they strayed, a simple reminder was all it took. This is an example of the practical advice presented in this chapter!

Cons:
Chapter 4 - Highchair Manners
I strongly disagree with the author's recommendation when correcting undesirable behavior. Page 63, "First correct the child verbally. Next, provide an attention-getting squeeze or swat to the hand, if necessary." As one who followed this advice when my son turned one, I can demonstrate why it does not work, and more importantly, why it should not be an acceptable form of instruction. In my case, giving a light-squeeze to the hand, worked initially, then a week went by, and I discovered it required more than a light-squeeze to get my son's attention. Another week went by, a firm-squeeze turned into a light-swat to the hand, and then he started hitting back. According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), physical punishment teaches children it is okay to hit, and suggests it does far more harm than good, page 285 in "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Bantam", 1998.

Straight away, I sought the pediatrician's advice. She offered time-out as an alternative, which my son responded to immediately and positively. By applying the author's technique, I failed to teach my son self-control, and additional problems emerged as a result. In addition, at what age does THIS style of disciplining begin? Ezzo does not specify. This book is intended for parents of pre-toddlers, 5 to 15 months old, does the author seriously expect parents to reprimand a 5-month old in the manner mentioned above? I certainly hope not! Immediate and consistent response to misbehavior speeds the learning process. It took months to teach my son hitting was wrong, conversely, he learned the stereo was off limits in just weeks by employing the time-out method.

Final Thoughts:
Firstly, I CAUTIOUSLY recommend this book. I believe, some of the advice is disrespectful to children, and could cause behavior problems, such as illustrated with my son. Secondly, Mr. Ezzo suggests in the introduction that graduates of his first book are best served in this book, because the foundation for routine is already established. I agree with this, and propose that this edition may be beneficial to readers if the method promoted in the original book was helpful. Also, if you are a person who is capable of reading beyond some of the authoritarian tendencies, some of the advice is worthy. On Becoming Babywise II is more Christian based than the 1998 edition of On Becoming Babywise. As a Catholic, this did not insult me, but some may find the authors writing to be too preachy. I would have rated this book 2 ½ stars if it were available. Due to some of the practical advice offered, I decided to error on the positive side, rather than the negative.

Summary of On Becoming Baby Wise Book Two: Parenting Your Pre Toddler 5-12 Month Old Through the Babyhood Transition

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