Rating: 
Summary: Save your money.
Review: It seems there are two types of people when it comes to raising children. The first group eats lots of whole grains, worries about their child's aura and the alignment of their chakras. The second group works, pays taxes, and tries to live their lives. If you're in the chakra crowd you'll love this book. It has lots of feel good/new age garbage. The down to earth crowd (like me) found this book only fit for starting a fire. If you want guilt about circumcision buy this book. If you want real help try something else.
Rating: 
Summary: It's About Time
Review: It's about time that parents had such a valuable resource. Sleep is big issue in our household and I am really glad to have such a sensible book on this subject. I had no idea how many things there are that influence sleep. This book certainly has opened my eyes to the bigger issues involved in parenting. Has Dr. Fleiss written any other books that I can get? Dr. Spock, move over! I really trust Dr. Fleiss's sensible and caring approach. Reading this book strengthens my confidence in my ability to be a good mother to my kids. Terrific book!
Rating:
Summary: What a Miracle!
Review: My 4-month-old baby's pediatrician recommended this book and it was wonderful! This is a man that we trust with our child's life and he is the father of three. He recommended getting Dr. Fleiss's book and following the steps that he outlines. Fleiss was very clear and thorough and the book was a quick and easy read. And the best part is that it worked! I thought for sure my baby would be slow to adapt, but by the 3rd day, he was doing much better. Dr. Fleiss is a very compassionate man. The method you use depends on the age of your child. I really liked how he emphasizes that all babies are unique. There are lots of different scenarios in the book so you can pinpoint exactly why your child is having sleep problems, assuming that he really is having problems, and what to do about it. I feel like I am in heaven now and he is a perfectly happy and healthy baby, too. Make sure you read the book and be consistent and do what Fleiss says, and it will work. We are sleeping through the night and our baby has happy, alert parents who look forward to bedtime. We're better parents now and our son is happier than ever because we ALL have energy at this very special time in his life! Happy reading and sleeping! Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Tells it Like it Is!
Review: My family and I cannot thank you enough for your book it is so well laid out and full of such wonderful information which actually works. I have one three year old and a two month old and I wish your book was available three years ago. I have read almost every popular baby care book out there and have found none to be as valuable as yours. I bought your book last Thursday and true to your word the step-by-step approach worked in three short days. I found your take on breastfeeding enlightening. I just cannot thank you enough our son is so much happier and is enjoying life along with the rest of us. It is such a relief to know there is advice out there that can work.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Advice!
Review: My husband and I learned so much from this wonderful book. The advice is useful and easy to follow. We also liked the information on helping older children sleep well. We have a 4 year old and a 13 year old. Thanks to this book, I feel better prepared to help my 13 year old get through the teen years. Our 4 year old son has already improved because of the advice in this book. We have followed Dr. Fleiss's advice to limit television, cut out sodas, and encourage more exercise. I am pleased to see that these common sense approaches are fully backed up by impressive scientific references. The proof is in the pudding, though, and our son is already sleeping better. I really recommend this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Opinions supported with annecdotes and few facts
Review: My wife and I bought Dr. Fleiss' book when we were looking for help moving our son from our bed into his own. I found the book to be of limited use in accomplishing this. But more significantly, it is full of misinformation and recommendations based on opinion and anecdote.As Dr. Fleiss acknowledges, there are many ways to raise a child. But he ridicules any method other than his own. As I read his stories of improper methods and adverse outcomes, I cringed at the thought of making similar mistakes and permanently scarring my son. How much worse would I have felt if I was a parent who had already used any of these methods that he criticizes. The reality is that, although there are certainly "wrong" parenting methods, there is more that one "right" method, and your choice should depend on both your own and your child's personality, disposition, and needs. Contrary to what Dr. Fleiss implies, there is no ONE right way. Also, a word on circumcision. Dr. Fleiss claims to have read ALL the literature and found NO benefit to circumcision. In fact, ALL studies have shown reduced rates of urinary tract infections in circumcised boys compared with uncircumcised before the age of one year. Additionally, studies have shown reduced rates of penile cancer and transmission of sexually transmitted disease (syphillis and HIV) in circumcised men. These findings, however, may not be very significant or enough to justify circumcision, as the overall risk of UTIs in infants, and penile cancer in adults is quite low. The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its policy in 1999 to state that "the benefits are not significant enough for the AAP to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure", but did recommend "parents of all male infants should be given accurate information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision with their pediatrician". Dr. Fleiss has failed to give parents accurate information. If you decide to read Dr. Fleiss' book, interpret it as one man's opinion, and don't feel guilty if you disagree with him.
Rating:
Summary: Opinions supported with annecdotes and few facts
Review: My wife and I bought Dr. Fleiss' book when we were looking for help moving our son from our bed into his own. I found the book to be of limited use in accomplishing this. But more significantly, it is full of misinformation and recommendations based on opinion and anecdote. As Dr. Fleiss acknowledges, there are many ways to raise a child. But he ridicules any method other than his own. As I read his stories of improper methods and adverse outcomes, I cringed at the thought of making similar mistakes and permanently scarring my son. How much worse would I have felt if I was a parent who had already used any of these methods that he criticizes. The reality is that, although there are certainly "wrong" parenting methods, there is more that one "right" method, and your choice should depend on both your own and your child's personality, disposition, and needs. Contrary to what Dr. Fleiss implies, there is no ONE right way. Also, a word on circumcision. Dr. Fleiss claims to have read ALL the literature and found NO benefit to circumcision. In fact, ALL studies have shown reduced rates of urinary tract infections in circumcised boys compared with uncircumcised before the age of one year. Additionally, studies have shown reduced rates of penile cancer and transmission of sexually transmitted disease (syphillis and HIV) in circumcised men. These findings, however, may not be very significant or enough to justify circumcision, as the overall risk of UTIs in infants, and penile cancer in adults is quite low. The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its policy in 1999 to state that "the benefits are not significant enough for the AAP to recommend circumcision as a routine procedure", but did recommend "parents of all male infants should be given accurate information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision with their pediatrician". Dr. Fleiss has failed to give parents accurate information. If you decide to read Dr. Fleiss' book, interpret it as one man's opinion, and don't feel guilty if you disagree with him.
Rating:
Summary: Not neglectful just uninformed
Review: Paul Fleiss' inclusion in his book, Sweet Dreams, about circumcision is not a diatribe, it is a well documented essay that explains the facts about a procedure that is painful for us all, not only the babies but also those of us who didn't know enough to protect our sons from a painful, traumatic experience. Mothers and fathers who allowed their sons to be circumcised are not "neglectful," they are simply uninformed. Added to this is the fact that most doctors are also misinformed about the structures, functions, development, and care of the normal penis. They, then, neglect to follow the directives of every world medical association, which universally recommend against circumcision. My three sons were circumcised; my two grandsons are not. We, like so many other American familes, brought an end to an anachronistic blood ritual in our family. Once educated, parents know enough to protect their sons from the circumciser's scalpel, and these boys will grow up intact, just like the majority (85%) of the males in the world. Thank you Paul Fleiss, MD, and Frederick Hodges, DPhil (Oxon), for speaking out for the rights of our baby boys. One day, the boys themselves will thank you for preserving the protective covering and the thousands of erogenous nerve endings provided by the foreskin. Marilyn Fayre Milos, RN, Executive Director
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
Post Office Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA 94979-2512 Tel: 415-488-9883 ...
Rating:
Summary: A Very Helpful Book
Review: SWEET DREAMS is very helpful! I really like that it is filled with practical tips and easily understandable guidelines. We had been having problems getting our 2 year old to sleep. Dr. Fleiss's suggestions on positive bedtime rituals has already solved that problem. His words about the importance of parents involving themselves in their child's life really made me think. I suppose most parents think that they are involved, but SWEET DREAMS showed me what real involvement is. I am so grateful to Dr. Fleiss! I am giving this book to my best friend, who is expecting in a few weeks!
Rating: 
Summary: Take with a grain of salt
Review: There is some good info in this book. However, despite the author's claims that all his advice is backed by scientific evidence, he still spouts his opinion freely and is obviously biased toward co-sleeping (note the strong adjectives - hardly scientific conclusions). He may be right, but co-sleeping is definitely not for everyone, so take his "evidence" with a grain of salt and do what's right for you.
|
