SPANISH EDITION: The principles of On Becoming Baby Wise were first shared in 1984. Sarah was the first baby girl raised with the principles; Kenny was the first boy. Both thrived on mother's milk and a basic routine, and both slept through the night by seven weeks. It was that easy. On Becoming Baby Wise has now been translated into 16 different languages and is utilized by more than 6 million parents around the world. As with previous editions, this update does not provide parents a list of do's and don'ts. We wish parenting were that easy. Rather, our larger objective is to help prepare minds for the incredible task of raising a child. We believe the preparation of the mind is far more important than the preparation of the nursery. Both can be a lot of fun. Your baby will not care if his head rests on designer sheets or beside Disney characters, nor is your success tied to his wardrobe or bedroom accessories, but rather to the beliefs and convictions that will eventually shape your parenting experience. It is our opinion that the achievements of healthy growth, contented babies, good naps, and playful wake times, as well as the gift of nighttime sleep, are too valuable to be left to chance. They need to be parent-directed and parent-managed. These are attainable conclusions, because infants are born with the capacity to achieve these outcomes and, equally important, the need to achieve them. Our goal is to demonstrate how this is done, but only after we explain why it should be done. We realize there are a number of parenting theories being marketed today, most of which come gift-wrapped with unrealistic promises and unnecessary burdens. In light of the many options, how can new parents know what approach is best of their families? Since every philosophy of parenting has a corresponding outcome unique to that philosophy, we encourage new and expectant parents to consider, evaluate, and decide which approach is best for their families. This can be accomplished by observing the end results. Spend time with relatives and friends who follow the Attachment Parenting style of infant care. Observe who practices hyper-scheduling, and certainly evaluate the outcomes associated with On Becoming Baby Wise. In which homes do you observe order, peace, and tranquility? Don't take any marketing plug or some strangers word for truth. Search for yourself. Consider the marriages as well as the children. Is mom in a perpetual state of exhaustion? Is she nursing every two hours or less? Is Dad sleeping on the couch? What is the family life like when a child is 6, 12, and 18 months old? Is Mom stressed, frustrated, or lacking confidence? Is the baby stressed, exhausted or insecure? When the baby is nine months old, can the parents leave the room without the baby falling apart emotionally? We believe the best evaluation of any parenting philosophy, including the one found in On Becoming Baby Wise, is not found in the reasoning or the logic of the hypothesis but in the end results. Let your eyes confirm what works and what does not. You will be most confident in your parenting when you see the desired results lived out in other families using the same approach. Look at the fruit and then trace it back to its seed source.
The principles contained within the pages can help parents develop workable strategies that meet the needs of their babies and the rest of the family. These have worked for millions of parents, and when faithfully applied can work wonderfully for you! However, your pediatrician or family practitioner should always be consulted when questions arise about the health and welfare of your baby. Enjoy the journey of parenting!
