Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't live without it!!!
Review: I found Tracy's book after coming very close to a nervous breakdown when my twin boys were 2.5 months old. I needed help and anything would do. I had seen a news cast with Tracy Hogg bathing a baby and liked what I saw so I bought her book.I've never read a book so fast. I am so greatful that Secrets of the Baby Whisperer was the book I found to help me. Tracy had so many helpful tips as well as a common sense approach to parenting that I really liked. I've incorporated many of her suggestions and methods and now that my boys are 11 months old the proof is with them. They are wonderful nappers and sleep without my help. They know how to go to sleep on their own and bedtime is never a fight. They are very good eaters as well as being content, healthy babies. They know what's coming because of their daily routine and I think are much happier for it. I have done all the work but without Tracy's help I still wouldn't know where to start. If you find yourself wishing your baby was born with an instruction manual get this book. It's the best how to book for babies I've ever seen. If I can do it with twins anyone can do it with one.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Every Parent!
Review: I loved this book because it has helped me to understand my baby and know the best way to care for her, especially when it comes to sleeping/napping and feeding. Tracy does an excellent job of explaining her "E.A.S.Y" and other philosophies which help parents to establish a loose routine for their children to help them become happy and healthy babies and to help parents to know how to read their babies' cues. I love the section where she explains the different cries that babies make and what they mean. I never before thought about how my baby's hunger cry was different from her tired cry. It also helped to read the chart of what the nonverbal signs are that baby gives when he/she is tired, hungry, overstimulated etc.If I hadn't read this book, I would have been so much more confused about figuring out what my baby needed. Tracy's ideas make sense, and they work! I have worn out the pages of her book because I used it so often as a resource during the first 8 months of my baby's life. She gave many examples and scenarios that explained exactly what I was experiencing with my baby. I highly recommend this book. I just got her second book for Toddlers, and I can't wait to read that one as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Take with a Grain of Salt...
Review: I found a few ideas to be helpful in this book, but other things are completely wrong and sometimes her attitude is condescending. On the positive side, yes, babies love routine. This is not her idea. A bath before bedtime is helpful. Again, not her idea. If you never heard these things before, some things in this book will help you. But don't slavishly follow it. I found this book is very gimmicky and the baby type quiz is rediculous and oversimplified. Babies are complex human beings not sit-com characters! I didn't like the cheesy, nanny-to-the-stars tone of this book. My baby is an excellent night time sleeper and I have instinctively done many of the things the author says NOT to do. I believe that it is important to trust your maternal instincts rather than rely on one of the hundreds of different "baby experts". Read several different philosophies and pick and choose things from many different sources and most of all make sure you feel good about what you are doing. Listen to your own feelings most of all! Save yourself some money (or buy a toy for your baby!) and get this book from the library.
Rating: 
Summary: This book was a lifesaver!
Review: If I had not read this book prior to my son being born, my son would remain an only child. This book has proven to be a lifesaver for me. In this book, Tracy teaches you how to "tune in" to your child. She teaches you to respect your child and how to understand their language. Moreover, her advice on getting a child to sleep on their own was what has helped my husband and I get a good nights sleep! I would recommend this book to any new mother who wants advice that truly works!
Rating:
Summary: Look out extremists!
Review: If you are looking for a method or a parenting style such as the ones presented by Ferber, Ezzo, & Sears then you might be dissapointed! When I read about attatchment parenting for the first time I freaked - wear my baby? Doesn't my back hurt enough already? Tracy isn't trying to teach a lifestyle based on reserch and scientific method. She just gives advice that has worked for her and thousands of other little ones. I read and reread this book several times in preparation for my first child and found that the main theme was LISTEN and WATCH for your baby's cues. Yes, Tracy does advocate a schedule because so many new moms need structure during such perilous times as the first few weeks but she also tells her readers to trust their instincts! I did find myself trying to solve all my baby problems according to her book at first but that is my fault not Tracy's. Her advice put me WAY ahead - I have given this book to my pregnant friends.
Rating:
Summary: very respectful to babies AND parents
Review: While I think parents should be confident enough to follow their instincts and needs with their babies, that is especially difficult these days as we are often isolated and without the collective wisdom of an extended family (we rarely help out with other babies all our lives, nor have others to lean on to help us out with ours). In answer to that dilemna comes the down to earth and very respectful wisdom of Tracy Hogg. Perhaps she isn't based too completely on specific research outside her own considerable experience, but I value her approach because it is very common sense, adaptable, and respectful to everyone involved.
She doesn't insist that the parent conform to the baby's needs nor that the baby be stressed with unreasonable demands for the convenience of the parent alone. She truly advocates creating an integrated home where baby is guided by a patient and loving parent, structured with predictable routines (to give baby a sense of power and security as well as to help baby be independent so the parent can be more than his slave).
Some of her techniques sound so effective that one might feel compelled to stress out over the perfect implementation of them in order to get ideal results, but they should be adapted to suit the specific needs of each family; and I know she agrees with that.
This book aims to arm parents with the wisdom and patience and understanding of their child so that we can be true leaders for them, with compassion and authority. She really seems to understand babies, and does a pretty good job of teaching novices how to connect too.
My impression is that one should read this as a baby primer, then parent how you need to, however works for your family, but do so mindfully.
Rating:
Summary: a MUST HAVE for any new (or not-so-new) parents
Review: I purchased this book which was recommended by a friend of mine as well as a nurse at the hospital at which I delivered. It, in my opinion, is a "must have" in the layette! Babies, as young as a couple of weeks old DO respond to a "routine." My son was colicky for about 5 months and rarely slept for more than 1 hour at a time (and we were lucky with THAT). Thanks to this book, I was able to establish a sensible routine for eating, sleeping and playing, which we still follow today. It also recommends that babies sleep about 1 out of every three hours, and sure enough, by implementing what Ms. Hogg recommends, a pattern emerged and now I have the BEST routine with my son. He is a fantastic eater, sleeper and napper, beating out all my friends' babies of similar ages. It's critical to provide babies with structure, and I'm living proof that they respond very, very well to it. My baby never cries, you can set your watch by his naps and sleeping, and he's slept through the night consistently (from between 8-9 p.m. until between 7 and 8 a.m.) since about 5 months. Get this book now, and have a little sanity.... your friends will be jealous of how "together" you have things!
Rating: 
Summary: Less than one star?
Review: If you would like to read a book based on absolutely no research or methodology than this is the book for you.... Do yourself a huge favor and don't bother as it is not worth the paper it is printed on. There are many other books on the market that at least provide information based on research.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked it because.....
Review: I will admit here that I picked the book up in the bookstore, and being a fast reader, managed to scan a few chapters but didn't buy it. I especially appreciated her for saying that feeding your baby with a bottle is OK and do not waste time feeling guilty or a failure if you don't choose to breastfeed for various reasons. I was a complete failure at it, which made me feel frustrated which in turn decreased my milk supply and drove up my blood pressure (I panic very easily). Giving my kids a bottle with formula took the pressure off of me to perform and be a perfect mother, and I always knew they were well fed and content. They are older now and are smart and loved very much, which is what Ms. Hogg says is really the most important thing (being loved). I wished I could've breastfed but it was an activity that didn't quite agree with my own temperament. We bottlefeeders need to be reassured that we're not evil, neglectful or failures if we can't do the breastfeeding thing. Thanks Ms. Hogg.
Rating:
Summary: Good insights but not for newborns
Review: There are alot of helpful insights in this book but I don't recommend reading it until your baby is at least 2 months old, and you are more in tune with her needs and personality. I started reading this book as soon as I came home with my daughter and it drove me crazy. Instead of really paying attention to my baby, I was trying to space her feedings (the book says babies should eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours). Now at 3 months old my baby still breastfeeds a full meal every two hours.
Just take this book with a grain of salt, and read other more objective books like "What to Expect...". The best parts of the book are on reading your baby's body language, and also the GENERAL routine of E.A.S.Y. : Eat, Activity, Sleep, and You.
Don't take the book too seriously like I did.
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