Rating: 
Summary: I was a skeptical mom!
Review: I am the first to admit that I was always one that hated to let my baby cry. With my first child I never did any research on how to help your child learn to sleep. I just suffered along until he finally got the hang of it at around age 3! Now my second child is here. She was a collicy baby and was on the road to becoming a difficult sleeper. Naptime was a battle and bedtime was too. Everyone told me to let her cry. I wanted her to learn but I didn't want to listen to the screams. Finally I looked for some books on the subject. This book was extremely helpful to me. The first part of the book explains sleep, how it works and how it affects you child. This section made me realize that my baby was sending me signals that it was naptime and that I was missing them. I waited until she was overtired and cranky when in fact I should have put her down to sleep sooner. I still don't completely agree with his entire method but I adjusted it to fit my baby. She has made wonderful progress in just a few days. She is starting to take naps with very little disagreement and bedtimes are so pleasant now. She has also slept through two nights in a row! I did not have to let her cry unconsolably until she fell asleep. If you get this book I would also get Jodi Mindell's book Sleeping Through the Night How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get A Good Nights Sleep. This book is similar to Weissbluths but allows more flexibility for you and your child. Good Luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Overly harsh and rigid sleep regimen - (some good advice)
Review: In this book, Dr. Weissbluth explains in detail the importance of sleep (nighttime and daytime) to a child's well being. He indicates the key mistakes parents make (primarily, keeping irregular schedules with overly long periods of wakefullness). I bought this book along with Richard Ferber's "Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems". Dr. Weissbluth gives very detailed instructions on getting your infant on a sleep schedule from a young age (3-4 months; possibly earlier in some babies). In some ways it simplifies things to have someone give such specific criteria to follow. However, there are some aspects of the book which particularly bothered me: 1) It does not take into account individual differences between babies -- To me, it doesn't seem logical that all babies are going to need exactly the same pattern of sleep. 2) Parents are instructed to let babies cry as long as it takes for them to fall asleep without intervention at night -- I agree it's important that babies learn to soothe themselves, but I MUCH prefer Dr. Ferber's program with periodic reassurance from parents (and for parents) that all is well. To let a baby cry alone for 2, 3 hours at night even if it gets the desired result of learning to sleep through the night seems cruel and selfish. In fact, Dr. Weissbluth comments on Dr. Ferber's approach saying that he is sure it could work but that it puts too much of a burden on parents to have to keep going in at periodic intervals. I think that when a baby is faced with an important but difficult lesson, parents should not feel burdened to help them through it. 3) Dr. Weissbluth frequently comments on the "magic window" of putting a baby down for a nap, when he is tired, but not overly tired, and how parents need to adapt their schedules to their baby's needs -- I think it's absolutely correct to emphasize the importance of respecting a baby's needs, but this seems easier with an only child. We have an older daughter who has to be driven to and from school, and other classes, pets to take to the vet, doctors' appointments that need to be kept... It's not always possible to fit all of these commitments at precisely the right moments when a baby is well rested, and a nap is not being compromised. Dr. Weissbluth frowns upon naps taken in car seats, strollers, carriers etc. as not being as restful as a nap in a crib. I agree but I think reality sometimes means a nap takes place in less than ideal circumstances. Overall, I think the book does a good job emphasizing the importance of sleep and in outlining general patterns of sleep for children of different ages. I do not feel comfortable, however, with the methods used. I would urge anyone who would like to give their baby the opportunity to learn to soothe himself at night, to consider reading Dr. Ferber's book and at least trying his method. If teaching your baby to sleep through the night works within a framework of the parents periodically reassuring the baby (for us it worked beautifully with our older daughter, and we plan on using the same method with our baby son), surely that is preferable to success that comes with a baby crying by himself, for as long as it takes.
Rating: 
Summary: Parents take heed - this book work!
Review: It seems that most readers agree that this is a great book; and they are right! Some parents disagree with Dr Weissbluth's methods and that is ok. Not every child displays the same patterns as others. However, you are not being cruel when you teach an infant how to go to sleep by him/herself. The love and comfort you give during their waking hours is more than adequate to make up for any guilt you might feel. Trust me! I can say this, my wife and I have a young son who is extremely well-rested, attentative and happy. He rarely cries and has slept through the night since we started using this book (at four months). Everywhere we go together (I am a stay-at-home Dad), we receive compliments on how good Michael is and how happy he is. I have bought five copies for friends and family and they all agree . . . this book works. Nature versus Nurture. Some babies may not due well with these methods, but I think the majority of children will have no problems and will be better for it. One of the most poignant remarks Dr Weisbluth makes is that adults who are poor sleepers were, generally, poor infant/child sleepers. You decide, but I cannot recommend this book enough. It is the most important parenting book that I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Baby Books
Review: This book reminds us that sleeping through the night doesn't come naturally and learning how to fall asleep must be taught. This book is fantastic! My daughter was a great sleeper at night but only took naps if I held her. Now she sleeps 12 hours at night and two 1-2 hour naps during the day. This book not only teaches you how to put your baby to sleep but gives you the resolve to stick with it during the "learning curve." I have given it to 6 friends and am putting in two more orders today.
Rating:
Summary: Great advice but be willing to follow it!
Review: I received this as a gift while I was pregnant. I read it and thought the info. was great. Once my son was born I kind of forgot about it until I was having problems getting him to sleep. I pulled out the book and followed the advice. IT WORKED! I've given it as a gift to others, but I know they haven't "listened" to Dr. Weissbluth. You have to be willing to watch for the signs and put your child down to sleep even if it interrupts plans and so forth. It is so worth it in the end!
Rating:
Summary: A must for all parents and caregivers.
Review: I received this book as a gift. This was the most valuable book that I have read pertaining to sleep habits. With my first child I was not tuned into his sleep needs, so I in turn, suffered several sleepless nights. Waking up every 2 hours is for the birds. With my second child I have been able to sleep soundly through the night. She will go to sleep at 8:30 p.m. and not wake up until 7:00 a.m. This is a wonderful book. I encourage everyone to give this book to first time and veteran parents and caregivers.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful, effective, humane approach
Review: Our daughter slept with us in the family bed for 8 months. We loved it but I was tired of being a 24 hour a day mom since I lay beside her during naps. I looked for an approach to help her nap in her crib. Sears and other co-sleep advocates weren't very specific or helpful in this area. Ferber was relatively against the family bed and his techniques sounded too harsh to me. Weissbluth was almost the perfect solution. He was okay with co-sleeping and nursing the baby to sleep. He explained sleep and sleep training with the goal of helping readers find their child's natural rhythms and preventing sleep problems, instead of treating sleep as a problem (see Ferber). Weissbluth's methods resulted in some crying, but not "crying it out" by any means. Putting the baby to sleep at the right time was key. It took some patience, but after 2 weeks of daytime nap training she really caught on. Then we started putting her to sleep in her crib at 7:30 pm, intending to bring her into our bed when she woke. To our surprise, after 3 nights she slept in her crib until 7 am. I sometimes miss the family bed but we're all better rested now, and we can always cuddle in the morning.
Rating:
Summary: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Review: Easy read, great information. The best part were the stories shared by other parents. My baby slept thru night at 4 months, and takes two easy naps, and sleeps 12 hours at night, and she is breastfed! The advice sounds harsh at times, but it really works and you will be amazed at all the people who tell you what a happy baby you have. Plus, you get things done, parents have alone time and that makes you a better parent.
Rating:
Summary: The Sleep Bible
Review: This book changed our lives! I thought my son was colicky the first couple months. He was actually sleep deprived. A doctor at worked recommended this book and I bought it the very next day. It's amazing how our son now sleeps. He's 9 months old and goes to bed at 6pm and wakes around 6-630am, then also takes a 2 hour nap. He is the happiest, healthiest baby! I'm so much more aware how other parents keep their kids up then wonder why they get so cranky. Read it! You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Napping is important too!
Review: This is the best book on sleep I have ever read. Not only does it stress the importance of a good night sleep for your child but it stresses the importance of day sleep. It confirmed for me that napping is very important to the whole sleep picture and that as parents we should be "guardians" of our childs sleep. My 10 month old is sleeping 10 1/2 hours at night and taking 2 1 1/2 to 2 hour naps daily. This book gave me a lot of practical adivce as well as dispelled many myths about sleep for me and my husband. I am ordering several copies because I have a lot of family and friends that could sure use it.
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