#10 in popularitySince 1999Strict schedule-based
Contented Little Baby
Gina Ford
Detailed, clock-based routines for feeds and naps, starting in the first weeks.
- Starts
- 1 wk
- Results in
- 6–12 weeks
- Crying
- Timed check-ins
- Evidence
- Weak
Overview
British maternity nurse Gina Ford's The New Contented Little Baby Book lays out precise daily routines by age, with set times for feeds, naps and bedtime starting from about one week old. Parents wake babies at set times to protect the schedule, gradually reduce night feeds, and put baby down awake in a dark room with limited soothing.
It's one of the best-selling baby books in the UK, and many parents value its predictability. Critics, including some breastfeeding advocates, say its rigidity can be stressful when a baby doesn't fit the schedule.
How it works
- Follow detailed age-specific routines with set times for feeds, naps, and bedtime.
- Wake baby at set times to protect the schedule.
- Gradually reduce night feeds.
- Put down awake in a dark room with limited soothing.
Pros
- Highly predictable
- Very popular in the UK
- Aims for early night sleep
Cons
- Extremely rigid
- Stressful when baby doesn't fit
- Criticized by some breastfeeding advocates
Evidence
Weak. Expert opinion; not trialed.
Details
- Popularity
- #10 of 39 · High (estimated)
- Since
- 1999 (27 years)
- When to start
- Routines start from ~1 week old
- Day structure
- Clock-based schedule
- Format
- Book (series)
- Good fit for
- Parents who thrive on routine and want a detailed plan for every part of the day.