I think most so-called parenting experts are rather like Marmite; they are either loved or loathed and none more so than Gina Ford. When my wife was pregnant with Helen, our oldest child, I read her classic Contented Little Baby and couldn’t quite believe what was being suggested.
Although we were sceptical, my wife and I cherry-picked one element of the book that we’d press ahead with. This was the part that focused on getting a good bedtime routine in place.
It wasn’t always easy and on one memorable occasion I was so annoyed I casually tossed Ford’s book out the first-floor bedroom window but we persevered. I’m glad we did because we very quickly got a good bedtime routine in place and we replicated it with similar success when our second baby arrived.
While I don’t agree with everything Ford says or suggests, I am, based on my experiences, a closet fan. I have found, however, you have to be careful who you admit this to! Â
Over time Ford’s range of products has expanded and the latest offering is My Contented Baby’s Record Book. Unlike many similar products that I’ve seen, this book focuses solely on the first year of baby’s life.
The book is split into sections. It starts with the birth and coming home and then you have sections dedicated to months one to three, three to six month, six and nine and nine months to the first birthday. It includes all the things you may expect; an envelope for keeping a lock of hair, space for a family tree and photographs, a record of baby’s first Christmas and baptism/naming ceremony, who was in the charts when baby was born and so on.
The book is hard-back and features some lovely illustrations. It would make a lovely keepsake and priced at £9.99 is ideal for the gift market.
My Contented Baby’s Record Book is already on the shelves. It is published by Vermilion and available from Amazon and elsewhere.
