Baby Sleep Book (Sears Parenting Library)

I didn't know much about AP before reading this and always thought AP stuff was some weird, hard-core parenting lifestyle. After reading, I realized it's a super mellow, natural, effective approach (not set of rules at all) to raising your babies. I was pretty much already doing AP and didn't know it. Especially if you have had trouble with any CIO training, read this book and feel better! PLUS, pages 210-213 include recaps on scientific studies that have proven harmful effects of excessive crying...please read about these before letting your baby cry for any extended amount of time.

Thank you Dr. Sears! My son and I (and husband too) are all sleeping better. I took his advice and started napping with my son (he has plenty of other suggestions, but this was most fitting for us). It took awhile, but he now naps on his own and doesn't wake up at 30 minutes like he used to. I miss my naps a little, so we still co-nap on occassion...but now I can do laundry, dishes, email, etc. while he sleeps if I want to. YAY! My husband read the section on co-sleeping and decided it was something we should do...I didn't need any convincing...we're all sleeping together and waking up well rested!

This book is great for those who don't agree with the cry-it-out method, and take a holistic and understanding approach to baby sleep. It explains why babies sleep the way they do, and why it is unrealistic to expect a baby to sleep like an adult. Instead, it lets the reader know that it is good for the baby to be comforted and nursed at night, and this won't last forever. However, it also gives advice on how to get a better night of sleep, understanding that if a parent is worn out from frequent night wakings, resentment can result. I feel it is a good book for new parents, and a great alternative to all the cry-it-out books that are so numerous.

This is a wonderful addition to the Sears Parenting Library. While the book contains standard AP/Sears fare (i.e. breastfeeding is good, consider co-sleeping, always respond to a crying baby, etc.), there are also some great new ideas wrt to helping your baby sleep better and longer. Know what you're getting when you buy this book however: there are no miracle solutions, or quick fixes to get your infant to sleep. The authors want to educate you about how babies really do sleep, and to help you make the best choices for your family once armed with that information. But you're not going to finish reading this book and have all of the answers to get your 8 week old to sleep through the night. Indeed, you'll realize that your 8 week old probably should NOT be sleeping through the night, but you'll have some tools to help you cope with this. Dr. Bill, Martha, and their two pediatrician sons offer compassionate, responsible parenting advice. They are truly advocates for babies and children, and their gentle, kind approaches to parenting are a relief after reading version after version of "Your baby should fit into your life, and you shouldn't have to compromise or change because of them." Oh -- if you haven't read anything by William and Martha Sears before this, I strongly recommend _The Baby Book_, _The Attachment Parenting Book_, and _The Discipline Book_. Again, there is some overlap in all of the Sears' books, but these three are great primers in infant care and parenting.

I was very surprised at the number of new ideas and unique approaches the Sears hadn't written about before in any of their other books. I'm looking forward to getting some much needed sleep!!!