The Benjamin Spock Approach: Raising Kids in the 1960s

The well-known Dr. Benjamin Spock is famous for his books that deal mostly on childrearing. These books educate first-time parents on taking care of their babies from the moment they were born. His most famous book, considered one of the most read parental book in the 1960’s and is still included in today’s list of non-fiction bestsellers, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, encourages parents to use their instincts in answering their child’s needs. It also promotes the idea that being a parent is all about bonding and loving your baby in a non-routine way. Parents who use this method must first learn that in having a baby, they should not expect to have their lives to return on the way it was before the child was born. Instead, couples must learn to adjust as they enter parenthood.

Dr. Spock’s method explains that childrearing is something that is tailor-made as children are born different. The following ideas are what the book promotes about raising children:

• Scheduled feeding does not necessarily work since every baby is different.
• A baby will sleep through the night when he or she is ready.
• All babies need plenty of affection.
• Babies should start off sleeping in his or her parent’s room.
• Breastfeeding is the best option, but mothers who decide to go against it for whatever reasons should not feel any guilt.
• Parents should follow their instincts and should not be put off by other people’s opinions.
• Mothers are required to have plenty of rest and could ask for assistance if necessary.
• Parents should take time for themselves.
• New mothers should understand that their partners were there first and should not be neglected.
• Fathers should only get involved with childcare as much as they feel comfortable.

Pros and cons

Just like the other two famous parental methods (by Liedloff and King), the Benjamin Spock method also has the following pros and cons:

a) Every baby is different

Advantages: Routines are tailor-made, specifically designed to fit both mother’s and baby’s needs and do not follow a strict schedule; a parent will also be liberated from being anxious from the feeling that your child is not following the norms dictated by other parental books.

Disadvantages: Having a non-structured routine in following the notion that babies are different may be difficult for first-time parents since this does not necessarily teach them how to care for their babies.

b) Giving babies plenty of affection

Advantages: Babies who were given much attention and affection are proven to be more emotionally stable later in life; also, parents are provided the feeling of satisfaction as they get to cuddle their baby.

Disadvantages: This method may not apply on mothers who are expected to return to work since cuddle time by then will be limited and the baby may have a hard time adjusting to these changes.

c) Allowing babies to sleep in his parents room at the start

Advantages: The baby is attended to instantly and quickly when he or she cries; you don’t have to leave the room in order to feed the baby; anxiety and worry for  SIDs is lessened.

Disadvantages: Having the baby sleep inside the same room may disrupt the parent’s sleep; it may be difficult for the baby to get disturbed during sleeping as he is moved around during feeding and diaper changing.

d) The notion of trusting yourself

Advantages: Learning to trust your instinct and honing your skills in interpreting your baby’s body signal puts you a few steps ahead in childrearing as you learn it first hand since the situation will rise again and again; also, this gives you some sense of liberty as you take charge in knowing what your baby truly needs.

Disadvantages: This does not apply to first-time parents who lack confidence and are used to being told what to do; the lack of instruction manual for this kind of first-time parents may be terrifying.

As most parents and experts agree, this is the best form of parental method in childrearing. Dr. Spock’s methods were being followed by most modern day child gurus as it is mostly backed-up by science.  The most significant part of this method is the one that deals withy children having needed attention and affection, since recent studies have proved that children given with enough attention and affection at the start of their lives were less fearful and anxious when they grow up. Also, experts agree that parents should listen to their own feelings and those of their child. Lastly, using this method teaches parents to shower their babies love and affection that would make them happier and more secure.