Hellobee Boards

I agree with your sleep training "musing". I think that we are forced to fit ourselves and our children into society's patterns. For example, studies show that teenagers need to sleep longer in the mornings but we have to force them to get up to go to school. I wonder if babies should be able to eat and sleep on demand but we have to find ways to train them to fit into our schedule because we have to go to work etc? I read an article a few weeks back about babies in parts of Africa who are breastfed on demand and are strapped to their mothers day and night, while they work, look after their families -apparently they are much happier and hardly cry. But we couldn't do that - imagine rocking up at work with your baby strapped to you, with a boob in its mouth! So instead we are forced to "train" our babies to fit around us and our commitments. It makes me sad.... but needs must.

There are my musings!

If you're talking about the "breast is best" statements by formula companies, I think it's due to WHO code and being sort of pc.

I wonder a lot about the sleep training thing too, but I get why people do it. I think it's more a matter of modern lifestyles than it is the parents wanting simple convenience.

What I wonder about is why so much pressure to be the perfect mom and to do it all alone?

@Sammyfab: I get the whole falling asleep independently thing but I just at the same time feel like when LO needs extra help maybe its because she's not ready to do it herself yet and she will get there as she gets older. But that said she is a pretty good sleeper and I stay at home so I see why others do it!

@googly-eyes: @Kemma: Ahhhh yes...I totally agree that sleep training is often pushed upon parents and babies at too young of an age by paediatricians (especially in the US) and other parents. They are more often than not referring to nightweaning. I also agree that families should do whatever works best for them for as long as it continues to work. They know their child the best!