Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #133291 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Synopsis
A guide to understanding the sleep patterns and needs of children covers nighttime nursing, the family bed, SIDS, crying, and problem-free bedtime routines.

Customer Reviews

Nothing new if you're already into attachment parenting
This book says, basically, "breastfeed and cosleep and you
won't have a problem". Now, that may well be true for most
families - but if you've breastfed and coslept since the
beginning, and you *do* have a problem, it's frustrating and
unhelpful! Much as I admire Sears, this book went into the
charity-shop-box. I recommend Pantley's "The No Cry Sleep
Solution" instead.

Read before you have your baby
If I'd read this, I'd have gotten rid of my waterbed before ourbaby was born, instead of spending nights on the couch until we could take it down and put a safe bed up. The family bed has become one of the best parts about having children. Nothing beats waking up to happy babies instead of hearing crying through the monitor. Or noticing your child has a fever, because the feel of her hot skin wakes you up, and you are able to take care of her before she wakens and becomes upset. Or, sensing your child's unrest and waking up and fetching a bucket/bin *before* she throws up. In three years and two children, I've never had to change soiled sheets, I've never had a rough morning awakening. Perhaps the best is hearing your child say, in the middle of the night, "Mommy? I love you mommy" and feeling an arm flung over your shoulders as your child falls back asleep. Or laying between the people you love most in the world, listening to the precious child breaths. This book taught me how to be patient and trusting of my instincts in the face of noneducated but well-meaning relatives and friends. My children are wonderful sleepers and we are all well-rested, but more importantly, we parents are more patient and educated about nighttime parenting needs. I'm only disappointed my sister has chosen to keep her waterbed and let her baby sleep elsewhere. They are both missing out on the best experience.

Finding the information you need isn't easy.
This book provides practical information on finding a solution that will meet the needs of your family (needs of baby AND parent). It advocates responding to your baby's needs in a way that is very natural and loving.

Co-sleeping with your baby is not the only solution Dr. Sears suggests. For more information on co-sleeping historically and cross-culturally, I recommend The Family Bed by Tine Thevenin. If you're looking for solutions to your older baby's sleep problems, you may also want to see The Discipline Book by Dr. Sears.

I understand the urge of parents who want to have their babies trained to sleep through the night in a nursery room -- some times I wish for the free time I imagine that affords. But we have fewer night problems than people we know who follow other methods. It's easier to make choices as a parent when you sort your wants from your needs. Babies ask for what they need. We have a very peaceful time as a family by following Dr. Sears advice and it really shows in our toddler's daytime and nighttime behavior.