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Summary: I Buy This Book for All the Expectant Parents I Know
Review: Are you exhausted? Is your child exhausted? Need help? Buy this book!When my husband and I were expecting our first child, acquaintances at our church handed us a copy of this book. I smugly thought that we wouldn't need it; later, after our son was born, I don't know what we would have done without it. I now buy it for all the expectant parents I know. If you're not getting the sleep you crave, and your child is not getting the sleep he or she needs, you must get this book. It strikes a reasonable, real-life balance between some other childcare philosophies of letting your newborn scream without comforting or rocking your baby to sleep until he or she is a toddler. BUY THIS BOOK! THANK YOU, DR. WEISSBLUTH!
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Summary: The best book out there, but not for sissies...
Review: This is the only book on child-rearing that we have continually recommended - we've probably given 20 copies to friends, and have told dozens more about it. The "if Mommy and Daddy (and baby) get a good night's sleep, everyone is happy and gets along better" concept is inarguable. It also reinforces the whole idea of enforcing some parentally set limits on your kids - something that they really NEED to thrive anyway. Not the best read, perhaps, (but anyone can figure it out if they try) - you just need to trust that your kids (and you) really do NEED a good night's sleep and STICK WITH IT.
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Summary: Update on my old review! Thank you Dr. Weisbluth!
Review: It's been almost three weeks since implementing the methods inthe book. My baby now sleeps 11 hours a night (vs the 8 she use to)and naps 3-4 times per day with lengths varying from an hour to 3 hours (vs. 20-30 minutes before). I use to have to rock my baby into a deep sleep before putting her down, now, I soothe her for five minutes tops, put her down when still awake and she does the rest. My baby now laughs and smiles all the time! Three weeks ago, this was NOT the norm. And I never once had to let my child "cry it out". If you implement the techniques this book suggests, crying it out in NOT neccessary! If you are sleep deprived, your search for sleep lies within the pages of this book!
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Summary: For those who are serious about raising a child
Review: Over a year after picking up Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child I'm writing back to endorse Dr. Weissbluth and his book. I find it interesting to read through the other reviews here and contrast our own experience with the many positive and few negative experiences. For those considering adopting Dr. Weissbluth's methods I offer the following. Our daughter is one of the most happy, well adjusted, and pleasant children I have ever seen. We have received constant compliments since she was very young about how alert she is, as well as how she is always smiling. She has been well ahead of the averages in just about every developmental category (coordination, verbalization, etc.). She has slept regularly through the night during the vast majority of her first year and maintains the schedules outlined in the book. While both my wife and I like to attribute all of this to good genetics, we know a big part of her disposition and development is that she is well rested, and that makes everything else fall into place. This stands in stark contrast to the majority of babies we see who usually appear lethargic in contrast, often looking around with a dull stare without interacting with their surroundings. The past year has not been without challenges. Early on it took a rough three nights to get her sleeping through the night (meaning 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep). She did this at eight weeks, and my wife was crying along with her; feeling guilty and hurt but unwilling to turn off the baby monitor. On several occasions when travel or illness interrupted the schedule we had to go through the cycle again, though with each cycle she had an easier time getting back on schedule. The effects of not getting enough sleep are obvious; she gets passive, cranky, and is visibly not herself. At one year of age she has no problem sleeping a straight 12 hours each night (7pm-7am) plus 2 naps each day (1-2 hours each). Again, we have to be conscious of her schedule and plan our activities around those times. Following the schedule is a decision we have made and are fortunate to (for the most part) be able to accommodate. None of this is cruel, harsh, or about abandoning your child. It is about being the adult in the relationship; planning and caring for your child not just for today but for the future. Raising a child is not as simple as reading an instruction manual or cooking from a recipe so expecting exact step by step instructions is not reasonable, but the book has more than enough guidelines to get you there. We are also fortunate enough to have Dr. Weissbluth as our pediatrician and I can tell you that he is easily the nicest, most gentle and understanding doctor in the world. The dictionary should have his picture next to the word 'Grandfather'. Dr. Weissbluth's warmth and understanding have been especially important to my wife who has been the one to really put his teachings to the test. One last note - we get the occasional "you are really lucky" comment. We don't buy it for a minute. Our daughter is a terrific little girl because we consciously work at it and follow the guidelines in the book. The last thing any new parent needs is yet another piece of advice (you get it from everyone, right?), but do yourself a favor and check out this book.
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Summary: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Review: I was given this book before my daughter was born. I began following the suggestions in this book, and my daughter is a FANTASTIC sleeper. It was difficult at first because I had to listen to her cry, but IT WORKED! The only other child that I know that is such a good sleeper is a boy whose parents followed the same procedure. I think it helps that the author is not just another pediatrician, but works with sleep disorders in children. Because of this specialty, I think that he understands the sleep process in babies and children better than many of the pediatricians who have sleep books on the market.
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Summary: Best book on baby's sleep
Review: In my opinion, this is absolutely the best book out there tohelp new parents with their babies sleep issues. I had what I considered to be a colicy baby until she was eight weeks old--on that day I read this book and everything changed for us completely. I now have an incredibly happy baby who rarely cries--because she is now getting the proper amount of sleep. People say I have an easy baby and I attribute it all to this book. And boy did I try everything--I even resorted to Babywise. This method does not associate eating with sleeping and it is much much easier to attempt with your baby. I recommend this to everyone I know and people are always thanking me profusely for telling them about this book and Dr. Weissbluth's ideas. I hope you have the success I have had. This isn't to say that every day is a walk in the park, but I don't know where I would be with out it. Thank you Dr. Weissbluth!
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Summary: It's worth its weight in GOLD
Review: A well-rested and ecstatic mom in my moms' group leant me herdog-earred copy of this precious book one day after I shared my baby'ssleep problems with her - My baby and I haven't looked back since! Reading Dr. Weissbluth's explanation on my baby's biological sleep/wake rhythms, I was able to help him find his own sleep/wake rhythm and help him stick to it... Alas, within days, I had a whole new, much more content, playful and happy child in my arms! I was amazed at the miraculous change in his mood (especially in the evenings when he used to become cranky from - what I learned from the book to be - sleep deprivation). Before reading this book, my baby slept 8 - 10 not-so-restful hours per day and now, he sleeps at least 14 hours a day and he has never been happier and more alert during his wakeful periods. This is a book truly worth its weight in gold and is a must-read for new parents (as well as not-so-new parents because the book also goes into detail about the older child) who think a good night's sleep is vital for survival! P.S. I have since recommended this book to the other moms in our moms' group as well as moms in our Gymboree class and now, every copy in our area has been sold!
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Summary: Do NOT pass this book up!
Review: This is the best book I have ever read! I can say that completely and totally well rested! I will use the steps in this book always and I give it to every new mother I know. As a new mother I was skeptical at first but when it started working I was greatful to get some sleep. And seeing my daughter so happy and well rested herself is all the reassurance I need. It's hard at first but well worth it.
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Summary: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Review: I am the mother of a 7 week old infant. And I highly recommend this book opposed to the Baby Wise method. This book gives you options other than allowing your child to cry it out, although that too, is an option. Before implementing the techniques suggested in this book, my baby was sleeping a total of approximately 10 hours per day, about 8 hours at nite and several 20 minute catnaps during the day. And she was unbearable (as in grizzly bear ). She cried relentlessly and was fussy for a better part of the day. We just finished day three of our sleep training (for lack of a better word) and she is a completely different baby. Today, she took her first three and a half hour nap since she was about 4 weeks old! And that is a victory for both of us. Not only do I get some extra rest, but she is MUCH more pleasant to be around. My baby actually smiles alot, something I would never have known had I not bought this book! I have not allowed my child to "cry it out" once since implementing these changes, it is not neccessary if you follow the suggestions in the book. I give this book high praises, it saved my sanity and gave me back "my" baby! Her evil twin now resides somewhere else! Good Luck!
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Summary: A must read for new parents
Review: As new parents, no one ever warned us it could be difficult to help our baby establish good sleeping habits. Night waking was our biggest problem. After 5 months, I was determined to help my child, and myself, sleep through the night. I read the book and tried many of the suggestions, like an earlier bedtime and watching for the first signs of sleepiness. We had about three terrible days of crying, but less and less each day. I started the sleep training on the naps (finding it easier to listen to the crying during the day) After one week, our five month old started to sleep 10-12 hours at night, and was taking 2 1-2 hour naps a day. The three training days were well worth all of us getting more sleep!Our baby is now nine months old and still a great sleeper. I have recommended this book to many friends.
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