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Summary: This book is essential!
Review: This book is an essential addition to the reference library of parents everywhere. It addresses the common concerns and misconceptions associated with the family bed. It has really cleared up the "family bed mystery" for our family. READ THIS BOOK!
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Summary: A good book about alternatives in childrearing
Review: This book is another example of how you can raise children in many different ways. I, myself, found it very helpful and encouraging. The book gave me a different perspective on child rearing practices in a modern world. Although the author strongly advocates sharing sleep with children, she does mention that it is only good if it suits all the parties involved. It is a good lesson in tolerance towards an unusual methods of bringing up children.
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Summary: If you have considered taking your baby to bed, read this!
Review: This book is helpful because it does not imply that there is one correct way to raise children. The author, Tine Thevenin, has a wonderful theory that a good parent is one who really listens to what a child asks of them. I was one of those people who vowed never to let my baby sleep with me, but after having my son in June 1998 and not sleeping more than 3 hours at stretch since, I have changed my attitude. I was sick of angrily getting out of bed every two hours to try to comfort him and finally tried bringing him in bed with me and my husband. Now we all are much happier-my son has the comfort of his parents nearby, I get a lot more sleep and my husband does not have to try to deal with a crying baby and a psycho wife in the middle of the night. This book is wonderful because it tells you to trust your instincts and not worry about what other people think of your parenting choices. It does not say that people who share their beds with their children are better parents, it just says to do what works for your family. Good common sense, if you asked me. Each child is different and each family is different. Many babies have not read the books that say they should sleep through the night at 3 months! If you too are tired of getting out of bed many times a night, taking your child into your bed may be the answer and this book can give you some background about this age-old practice. It is good to read if outsiders give you a hard time about it, too! If you are an attachment parenting advocate, this book will be right up your alley.
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Summary: This book worked for my family - it's beautiful.
Review: This book is really wonderful. My husband and I read it before our baby was born, and felt that it made good sense. We loved seeing our baby and young child so happy and secure with us. He's grown now, and we always felt the closeness and security contributed to his self confidence. This book presents a good argument about why it doesn't make sense to isolate the youngest and most helpless members of the family.
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Summary: What a stupid book
Review: This book is very silly. If you want a sensible book explaining the virtues of the family bed, read William Sears.
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Summary: Poorly Written
Review: This book was poorly written. The author's thoughts meandered in chapters that barely focused on any main point. Definitely not something to recommend to someone who is a skeptic regarding co-sleeping. Although it deserves respect for pioneering on writing on the subject, there are much, much better sources for learning about the family bed. I recommend "Good Nights." It is clear, concise, and gives you more practical information.
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Summary: Not sure why this book is "The Bible"
Review: We co-sleep and love it, but this book wasn't much of a help. Three in a Bed is better, and the Sears' Baby Book is best. With the latter, you're also getting a lot more for your money, since it covers all aspects of child care and illness.
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Summary: There are Much Better Books on this Subject
Review: We have a "Family Bed" and it works amazingly well for us. [With so many other rooms in the house, I'm amazed at some of the other reviewers who say they couldn't have a sexual relationship with their husbands... We've certainly not had that problem.] Our family is a very close and happy one, and my husband and I love nothing better than waking up all cuddled up together with our sweet little toddler in the mornings. I'd recommend the "Family Bed" [or "Co-sleeping"; "Sharing Sleep"] to any family that would like a close knit, loving, happy family unit. That having been said, I kind of hate this book. While I suppose it is something of a "Classic", I dislike the author's language on the subject [she does seem to rant and rave a bit, which is unneccessary and annoying in my opinion]. I disliked her chapter on Sex [seeming to think it was unneccessary between spouses or that there was something wrong with wanting to have sex with your husband - as opposed to offering good advice on how to have a great sex life AND a Family Bed]. She also makes a couple of allusions to sex WITH children that made my skin crawl. I found parts of this book very upsetting and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, regardless. If you want some great books on Co-sleeping or "Family Beds", check out "Three in a Bed" by Deborah Jackson, and "Night Time Parenting" or any of several other books by Dr. William Sears & his wife Martha - I found these MUCH more helpful, sane, and constructive.
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Summary: we did it and it is great
Review: We practiced the family bed with all four of our kids and it was great! No nightmares, no nightlights, just lots of hugs in the morning. The fear of rolling on your kid and suffocating it is silly. I think it is much more likely that SIDS is related to kids sleeping down the hall away from the listening ear of their parents, who would otherwise know right away there was a problem. We got used to the sound of the regular breathing of our kids, and if it had stopped, we would have known it right away.
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Summary: we did it and it is great
Review: We practiced the family bed with all four of our kids and it was great! No nightmares, no nightlights, just lots of hugs in the morning. The fear of rolling on your kid and suffocating it is silly. I think it is much more likely that SIDS is related to kids sleeping down the hall away from the listening ear of their parents, who would otherwise know right away there was a problem. We got used to the sound of the regular breathing of our kids, and if it had stopped, we would have known it right away.
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