Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

by Marc Weissbluth M.D.

Paperback, 1999

Status

Available

Call number

618.928498

Genres

Publication

Ballantine Books (1999), Edition: Revised, 346 pages

Description

"The perennial favorite for parents who want to get their kids to sleep with ease--now completely revised and expanded! In this fully updated fourth edition, Dr. Marc Weissbluth, one of the country's leading pediatricians, overhauls his groundbreaking approach to solving and preventing your children's sleep problems, from infancy through adolescence. In Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, he explains with authority and reassurance his step-by-step regime for instituting beneficial habits within the framework of your child's natural sleep cycles. Rewritten and reorganized to deliver information even more efficiently, this valuable sourcebook contains the latest research on the best course of action for sleep problems: prevention and treatment common mistakes parents make to get their children to sleep different sleep needs for different temperaments stopping the crybaby syndrome, nightmares, bedwetting, and more ways to get your baby to fall asleep according to her internal clock--naturally handling nap-resistant kids and when to start sleep-training why both night sleep and day sleep are important obstacles for working moms and children with sleep issues the father's role in comforting children how early sleep troubles can lead to later problems the benefits and drawbacks of allowing kids to sleep in the family bed Rest is vital to your child's health, growth, and development. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child outlines proven strategies that ensure good, healthy sleep for every age. Praise for Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child "I put these principles into practice--with instant results. Dr. Weissbluth is a trusted resource and adviser."--Cindy Crawford"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member BK138

The main gift this book gave us was the idea to only let the baby stay awake for two hours at a time before putting him down again. Awesome idea.

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LibraryThing member mamacate

Worth reading, but he is far too ruthless with young babies; I believe in a much gentler approach but wanted to understand this author quoted by so many. Interesting information, incorrect conclusions, for me at least.

LibraryThing member alaiacona

This is the sleep book that finally worked. Now if I could just get both the kids into the same room....

LibraryThing member teampoush

This book presents the findings from Dr. Weissbluth's research on children and sleeping. He clearly explains the science behind sleep and your child's developing mind, and gives practical advice on how to act on that information. His main points are that most children end up not getting as much

sleep as they need, and that there is a rhythm to our sleep needs that the timing of naps and bedtime should take advantage of. He advocates going through your nap or bedtime routine, and then leaving the child alone in his or her crib, even if the child cries. He says that after a few days of this, the child will have learned to self-soothe and will go to sleep without any crying. His writing and evidence was persuasive enough for me to give this a try with my 7 month old daughter, though I was initially set against any cry-it-out techniques. So far so good! Even if you decide not to use his practical advice, I would recommend reading this book to get an understanding of exactly how important sleep is for your child, and how much sleep he or she should be getting.

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LibraryThing member jenpbarr

Entirely too long. Author repeats himself over and over again. The cover of the book promises a clear step-by-step plan of action for getting better sleep, yet the book is anything but clear and far from having step-by-step plans. Also the author promotes "cry it out" which is harmful for the

parents & child. Leaving a screaming baby for hours is not healthy for either party. Read Richard Ferber's "Solve your Child's Sleep Problems" instead!

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LibraryThing member stunik

He was our doctor.
His methods are awesome.

LibraryThing member rkreilly

Most helpful of any sleep book- and I've read them ALL!

LibraryThing member bookblogforladies

I think he wrote a great book if you modify it to your style and he does provide modifications of "no cry" , "some crying" etc. Co - sleeping or not, etc. Helps to understand the science and importance of sleep and the most extensive book I have found on tips for sleeping as the child grows. I

think it is great, just use your judgement and read the baby's signs. It taught me to look for sleepy clues and to try and be ahead of them.

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LibraryThing member colleenharker

I really didn't like this book. I suppose it could probably work for some people - it came highly recommended - but it didn't work for us. I found the author's tone to be really condescending and judgmental. Not a fan.

LibraryThing member lieslmayerson

I highly recommend this to any parent-to-be. It came recommended as a "must read" from my friend Katie and I totally agree. Our little girl has been so easy, happy, and interested and, while much of it is who she is, I believe that her being well-rested helps tremendously. This book provided

information on how to facilitate good sleep habits from the start. It has also actually inspired me to improve my own sleep habits as well.

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LibraryThing member lieslmayerson

information on how to facilitate good sleep habits from the start. It has also actually inspired me to improve my own sleep habits as well.

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LibraryThing member carka

So many conflicting theories about getting kids to sleep. I know this one is popular, but I think we may opt for the gentler approach. If that doesn't work, this'll be here as a backup.

LibraryThing member Mithril

Somewhat academic in approach, while scientifically probably more faithful, it requires the reader to analyse and work hard to draw his/her own conclusions for use.

LibraryThing member aratiel

Gonna have to call it quits on this one. Dr. Weissbluth's writing is very repetitive, so much so that sometimes it's hard to dig the meaning out of any given passage. I found no information that would help me with my 5-month old's poor sleeping habits, and the many parental anecdotes were all

variations on "I tried Dr. Weissbluth's methods and now my child sleeps perfectly!" with no practical advice. I'm currently reading Dr. Ferber's Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems and in comparison the latter is a much more informative and better-written book.

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LibraryThing member wishanem

Simple, easy-to-remember advice about managing a child's sleep. The recommended methods haven't worked for my child, who still takes at least 45 minutes to fall asleep most days, but they seem very reasonable.

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