Infant-and-Newborn-Care Books

I wish someone had told me that babies have a fussy phase around 5-6 weeks. I got this book when my son was about 8 weeks old and it was comforting to know that his seemingly out of the blue crying was very normal. For each "leap" the book tells you fussy signs to look for, things your baby may be doing, and things you can do to help them flourish. The last week or so, my son has been craving more attention, having trouble settling down before sleeping, and turning away at times when being fed. I picked up the book again and sure enough, we have hit the next wonder week at 19 weeks and all of these things were listed under fussy signs. It's nice to have an idea of when these weeks are, instead of wondering why things have changed so much!

This is such a helpful book. It explains all of the major developmental stages, and helps you understand what your infant might be going through. It seemed whenever my son would start getting fussy or sleeping poorly, I'd look in this book and coordinate it with a different developmental milestone. I recommend this book to any new parents. Sometimes realizing what's happening, makes it easier to deal with.

I don't think I've ever bothered to do a review here before, but this book made me take the time to do it. I got this book when my daughter was a few months old and I recommend it to all parents. Each chapter discusses a "fussy phase" and explains the developmental leap that accompanies it. The book offers suggestions of how to handle it, how to cope when things get frustrating, what toys are especially useful during the phase, what games to play with your child at that time.

I love the way it's organized. It's very readable. Without fail, every time my little girl was acting...not herself...I would open up the book and sure enough, we were right in the middle of a great developmental leap. I feel like this book helped me understand my daughter better, and be a better parent. I WISH they would write a book for the second year as well.

I really wish I'd had this book from the beginning! It's a fascinating insight into what is going on inside your baby's head.

It's easy when your baby is fed, slept, cuddled and played with to become a little frustrated if he's still uncharacteristically fussy. It really helps to be able to anticipate a fussy phase -- I actually prefer fussy "time frame," since our little guy just seems to have a few more off days and isn't really fussy all the time. When he's unusually fussy in that time frame, instead of just becoming frustrated and giving myself a hard time that I'm not meeting his needs, I can look for specific new things he is learning.

I agree with other reviewers that just knowing what is going on is incredibly helpful. Also, knowing that it will end soon and that this fussiness is your baby's way of coping with increased mental capacity and awareness really gives me a great deal of perspective. Actually, knowing it will end soon is probably the most helpful :)

I also like that the authors emphasize that your child will *not* do all the new things listed, but to pay attention to what (s)he is interested in for clues to the emerging personality. I have enjoyed their suggestions for games to play to help your child learn to use their new mental capabilities.

I have acquired a large library related to child/infant care and this is the best book I have invested in thus far. No other book has had such practical information that really contributed to lowering my stress level as a first-time parent.

I give this book to every new mother I know, it's that good. However, the used book prices are insane. I emailed the author in the Netherlands and he said they are in negotiation with a new publisher to reprint the book.
There is no reason to pay $80.00 - $175.00 for a $20.00 paperback.
People all over the world have written to him asking to have it reprinted and he's very anxious to do so.
Tricia

I own the previous version of this book and I found that it covered the basics of breastfeeding pretty well. However, I took a 2-hour breastfeeding class at my hospital that covered most of the same information. I was well-educated on breastfeeding when my son was born and I knew what to do, but he didn't. At first I interpreted his crying and head wagging as him not wanting to eat but weeks later I figured out that he was just so excited about eating that he couldn't calm himself down enough to do it. Anyway, he did not breastfeed for the first 10 days (I pumped and we used bottles) and then I was finally able to get him to latch on with a nipple shield. When he was 2 1/2 months old he started nursing without the nipple shield. Getting him to breasfeed "normally" was a long and difficult process and not something that was addressed in this book. Nor was it addressed in a Jack Newman DVD that my doula loaned to me.

This book is probably a decent resource for moms who aren't quite sure what to do but who have babies that will latch on. However, for moms who know what to do but who have babies that won't latch on, this book won't help.

Dr. Jack Newman is THE premier expert on breast feeding - and breastfeeding problems - in the world today. I work in a compounding pharmacy and am often asked for suggestions to help mother who may be having difficulties. I first turn to Dr. Newman. We make his prescription nipple ointments and they work. How do I know they work? Because the new mother gets relief, and experiences a cure because she doesn't have to come back for a refill. The fdirst tiny jar of ointment clears the problems and they don't return.

ANy woman even contemplating breastfeeding - a great idea - really shopuld read this book. Also, make sure you know the pharmaciusts oin your area who do compounding. The nipple ointment must be made fresh by an experienced compounder.

Larry J. Frieders, RPh
http://www.thecompounder.com/
340 Marshall, Unit 100 ~ Aurora, IL 60506
Tel 630-859-0333

Every new/expecting mom should read this book--it will make your mothering experience SO WONDERFUL!!!!

Best money I have EVER spent!!!!!

Breast feeding in not always an easy endeavor, and it's not always a matter of willingness. As a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner, and a mom who had a lot of difficulty breastfeeding, I have found this book to be invaluable. At times, preachy, but ultimately reassuring. It's sometimes really difficult to find sound, encouraging advice when you are having problems nursing. Women who's babies took to nursing with little problem (in my experience, many La Leche members), often don't understand the anxiety and frustration that a mom can feel when she and her baby are just not getting it. In many cases there's more to it then free access to the breast, nursing on demand, etc. It's also hard to find a Lactation Consultant in many communities, which leaves many women hung out to dry, quite literally. This book doesn't replace a good lactation consultant or knowledgeable breastfeeding advocate, but it is a good resource for moms. I use it almost daily as a patient resource. Often xeroxing sections to hand out. My patients usually find the information helpful and accessible.

This book offers some of the most comprehensive information about breastfeeding available. There is an excellent description of proper breastfeeding technique -- position, latching, cues such as swallowing sounds -- and how this avoids pain for the mother and ensures proper nutrition for the baby. This is truly invaluable for a new mother, and contains much information that seems not to be communicated clearly to women. This is an excellent chapter, and the reason I gave this book 4 stars.

However, the bulk of the book is actually devoted to problems experienced by the mother and the baby such as how to breastfeed premature babies, deal with health issues like jaundice, nursing strikes, and soreness and milk supply issues on the part of the mother.

There are a few issues that I found there to be too much of in this book. There is an entire chapter devoted to "exposing" the influence of formula marketing. I am sure that this is useful to some people, but as someone who never was interested in formula, I found this to be not particularly relevant to my needs in reading a book about breastfeeding. This may be useful to someone who isn't sure of breastfeeding's value, but, then again, the authors are so opposed to formula that reading these sections may induce strong reactions in some readers (hostility, anger, guilt, whatever) that may or may not make them more inclined to breastfeed. The authors pull no punches in this section.

I also felt the authors end up going too far in the direction of discussing the joys of breastfeeding, particularly in the chapter on extended breastfeeding (i.e., nursing a child over the age of 12 months, which in this book seems focussed on nursing the 3-to-5 year old) that they fail to realistically examine issues that such mothers might feel. There is no mention whatsoever of the fact that, while breastfeeding a young child, the mother may have one -- or even two! -- additional younger children, and the fact that she may become tired, overwhelmed, or otherwise not be eager to nurse so many children at one time (the reality that a family may include more than two young children is not dealt with); there is only a discussion of a sort of euphoria that some women experience while nursing and whether this is a perversion. Women who are nursing a five year old, a three year old, and an infant may feel that they have little time for themselves, and I think it is fair that we acknowledge that quite extended breastfeeding and of multiple children demands a lot of a mother, and this is not necessarily the same issue as whether a woman can exclusively breastfeed a single newborn effectively and happily.

The discussion of breastfeeding a healthy child is quite good, but, surprisingly, only comprises a single chapter. On the one hand, maybe the message was supposed to be that breastfeeding is so easy and natural that it doesn't take much to explain. But on the other hand, the bulk of the book is devoted to a variety of problems encountered by a new mother and her baby, so the book unfortunately communicates that breastfeeding is a process fraught with problems. Kathleen Huggins's "Nursing Mother's Companion" is a more comprehensive book, covering issues of the new mother's health in addition to all manner of nursing issues, in a positive, encouraging manner with lots of suggestions, organized by the age of the baby, oriented around encouraging breastfeeding (instead of listing the ills of formula). It is worth examining instead of or in addition to Newman's book.

don't miss the valuable ideas from the author. if you like to understand your baby, get some support for the efforts you do in your mother - fatherhoood! get some new and fresh air to continue giving your child the best of what you have! go ahead with this book. and if you could do something recommend the translation to spanish. i would love to have this valuable book in spanish too!!!

This book helped me more than anything which made me a better mom to my high needs baby. I was hearing all the same things from family that he was so needy because I was spoiling him and I was really doubting myself. This book turned it all around. I bought it when I was at witts end due to lack of sleep and excessive crying. Within a month, I started getting compliments on my son's wonderful personality and what a change everyone was noticing.

The Sears' do not have any rocket science in their book. They have great wonderful common sense type of items that we sometimes need to hear when we are unsure if anything will work. They also have parenting systems. Every part of the book was not for me but the parts I chose to implement helped me love my son and give him what he needed.

He is now a smart wonderful 22 month old that everyone wants around. He is not like other children but now in wonderful ways.

Great book, gave some great ideas for how to calm a fussy baby. Was an eye opener. Would recommend this to anyone who is looking for some suggestions

a really great directed approach for attachment style parenting. my only criticism is that the intended audience seems to be moms who are able to stay at home and dads that are away all day in the workforce. there aren't any approaches or direction for moms that need to return to work and dads who stay home, or for both working parents. it would be great to just be able to make the choice to not use babysitters, but that is not a viable option for a large majority of parents these days.

This book gave me comfort that there are other babies out there like mine (because none of my friends' or neighbors' babies are) and that there is nothing wrong with my baby or with me. It also confirmed what I figured was just common sense - follow your instincts and pay attention to your baby's cues. It's been a long road but now we're at 5 1/2 months and her temperament is dramatically improved. No plan or program can substitute for unconditional love. I recommend this book as a source of support to the minority of us who are blessed with high-need babies. We need all the support we can get!

Absolutely would not recommend this book to a new mother. Very strong and rigid in their ideals. If you're not breastfeeding or are not able too, the author makes a new mother feel like a failure or something's wrong with her for not wanting too to begin with. Also has strong feelings about sharing a bed with your child, among other things, that if you do not feel you want to do, again only a good parent would!?? Think twice and read up on this book before giving it for a gift, or reading as a new mother.

Who decided that William and Martha Sears were "America's Top Baby Care Experts?" Perhaps "America's Top Baby Care Book Series Marketing Machines" would be more accurate. Any time people proclaim themselves to be a Top Expert about something, look with a suspicious eye - William and Martha certainly do, at other experts who espouse a different viewpoint than theirs. There are some good things in here, like Martha urging moms to take time for themselves and to remember that you and dad are still husband and wife, even though things are different now. But it's awfully easy for new moms to get sucked into their attachment parenting philosophy, and to believe statements that the Searses present as gospel truth, although there is no research to back it up. I don't recall the "cutting edge research" that the previous reviewer mentioned; instead I remember Dr. Bill saying that if you practice AP, basically you won't have any discipline issues when your child is a toddler because the two of you are so in tune and the child will want so much to please you. Sure, this sounds great to a new mom, but it is such a load of crap. Plus, while they do include a section that says that there is no perfect mother, and that's okay, I feel that they believe anything other than AP will lead to a level of parenting non-perfection that is unacceptable and guaranteed to turn out insensitive ax-murderers.

Steer clear of yet another tiresome rehashing of attachment parenting; the only guarantee here is that there will be more money in the Searses wallets.

I love this book--I just read it, and I have three children. In this sweet little book, Martha Sears explains in easy-to-read terms the basic ways mothers of infants go about establishing a natural, loving relationship where both individuals' needs are met without creating a tug-of-war environment (which is common these days). Throughout the book, she and her husband, "Dr. Bill," encourage moms (and dads) to enjoy their baby, respect that their children are people with physical AND emotional needs from the day they are born, and lend support to the emotional needs and changes that a mother goes through after having a new baby. There are practical applications throughout, and it's a nice introduction to helping mothers set a firm foundation for the new relationship that is taking shape.

I have been reading for two years on the science and scientific research behind a secure, heathy bond/attachment between parents and children. The Sears' books are valuable assets for families who desire to establish a healthy attachment with their children. Not only are they both medically trained (William is a Pediatrician with years and years of experience; Martha is a trained RN & Lacation Consultant), but they have raised 8 children, 1 of which is a special needs child and another was adopted. Their advice stems from real scientific research as well as their own experience (mothers really DO have instincts!) One reviewer stated that the Sears claim they are the TOP experts on child care in order to make more $, but that statement needs to be qualified. They are "America's #1 Child Care Experts," (maybe because people like their realistic attitudes toward child care), but they say over and over again in their books that parents are the ONLY EXPERTS for their children, and to steer clear of child care "experts" that try to lead you to go against your intuition as a parent. They never claim that by creating a loving bond with their children that parents who practice attachment parenting (AP) will never experience discipline issues--in fact, they have a whole book about discipline ("The Discipline Book"). They do, however, describe clearly that children who have a strong, loving bond (attachment) with their parents from the time of their infancy, are more secure in this relationship, and typically respond more sensitively to correction than children who are not raised in a sensitive, loving atmosphere. These aren't just ideas or philosophies--they have been researched thoroughly over time (beginning in the 1930s), and there are many books (by various doctors, psychologists, and authors) that describe in detail the scientific study that has been done which proves, in no uncertain terms, the relevance of the mother/baby bond and how the quality of this bond affects a person throughout their entire life.

As others have said, this book makes a great gift...It's beautifully illustrated and will bless anyone with a new baby (even if they have older children!)...And I would even suggest that you pair it with "The Baby Book" or "The Complete Book of Christian Parenting and Child Care" by the same authors (so they will have access to more comprehensive guidelines in infant care in addition to the encouragment and simplicity of the "25 Things..." book.)

A friend of mine gave me this cute little book shortly after I had my first baby, and I have really enjoyed dipping into it for short shots of gentle wisdom, inspiration, and advice. It's perfect for a new mom because the chapters are informative but really short--no huge time commitment required. There are 25 chapters--each with a title that's a "thing" that's helpful for moms to realize, like "You can solve breastfeeding problems," "You really do have intuition," "You don't have to be perfect," and "If you go back to work, you'll still be the person most important to your baby." Then the chapter has some information and practical advice related to that topic. For example, the chapter on going back to work includes the great idea of starting back to work on a Thursday instead of a Monday, so your first "week" is very short and easier for both mom and baby to deal with.
One more thing: the book is small and lightweight, so moms can read it while breastfeeding. Being a chronic multitasker, I loved this aspect!

This book is wonderful for the new mother--whether pregnant or having recently given birth. It is consise and a quick read. It is so reassuring--written by a mother of 8, who is herself an R.N. and lactation consultant, married to a pediatrician. Martha Sears describes how her years as a nurse did little to prepare her for her "very own baby." Nothing but time spent with your own newborn will do that! But, the reassurance of a mother "who's been there" eight times over is a wonderful thing. Martha Sears gives new mothers the permission to follow their intuition and spend time loving their new babies. She gives them leave to ask for help with household tasks and spend a honeymoon with their newborns. She describes the myriad of emotions new mothers experience. She presents some cutting-edge research the supports what many mothers have known all along.

A fabulous book! I highly recommend it!

Excellent book for seasoned nurses to have as a reference or for a new nurse just starting in the neonatal unit. Comprehensive, well organized, easy to read and understand; photos, diagrams very helpful. Well worth the investment!
Chris Divens RN MSN

This book is too difficult to understand. The book says it is a resource for nurses but it talks about how to insert a central catheter and calculating fluid/electrolyte/glucose rquirements which I will not use. It is full of complex formulas and charts that take up entire pages. It is also full of hundreds of statistics that are boring and a waste of my time to read. I was looking for something that starts out more basic and is easier to read. This book is more geared towards physicians or experienced nurses but not new grads starting out in the NICU like myself. Someone reading this book will need an introduction to basic neonatology before they can understand this book.

I found this book to be really resourceful and up to date. Definitely recommend to others.

This book is excellent, very well written, easy to understand. I highly reccomend it!!

This is a very good teaching tool for RN's new to a NICU, and also a reference for experienced NICU RN's. The 2002 version includes some added information.

I think this is a great book for a first time parent especially for those wives who want to show their husbands what lies ahead for them when the baby arrives. It's great that it has pictures and it gives you an idea of what to expect.

My husband really enjoyed it!

The pictures are great and the ideas are helpful - but use your own good sense first. I'm a first time mom and used it as a reference the first time I gave my baby a bath. It recommends the water be 85 degrees... Umm... NO!!! As my baby very vocally told me. (That's colder than body temperature for crying out loud!) The second bath I just did what I felt was right and my li'l guy was *so* much happier.

This book provides the minimum amount of information needed, but it is very useful for those topics that are covered, such as changing, cleaning, etc. your baby.
Lots of topics are missing that could have been included, but all in all this was a good buy.
Get it used if you can.

I bought this book because I wanted a quick reference book on how to do certain things with the baby. Like when to start feeding the baby solid foods. Although I already have one other child, it had been 6 years, so I needed something to refer back to in case I forgot certain things. It is a great book for the first time Mom or for any Mom that just needs a quick refresher course. The only thing I didn't expect was that it was so small. But truthfully I am really not that disapointed because it fits well in a diaper bag.

This is as you would say, knowledge in a nutshell. This is a part of a wonderful tiny book, step-by-step series which breaks down the key information on baby care into 101 easy-to-grasp tips. The handy index also will be useful for the busy mom.

The topics range from "how to pick up a newborn," to "safety at home." The joys of baby care are described in detail. Have dad read the diaper changing chapter, just kidding. Then read about bathing your baby and various safety issues.

Breast-Feeding is explained in great detail as is Bottle-Feeding. First Mealtimes are given an entire chapter. The "Out and About with Your Baby" chapter is a fun look at backpacking, cycling and choosing outdoor clothing.

Babies sleep a lot, so why not make them as comfortable as possible. There are important discussions about how much your baby will sleep and how to establish a bedtime routine. Do you know why your baby is crying? This book will explain why they cry and give solutions for soothing their fears. Finally, "Baby Health & Safety" ensure your baby stays healthy mentally and physically.

A book for the new mom, before she is heading for the hospital. Perhaps a cute gift to give at a baby shower. This is a good overview for the new mom or dad. For more detailed reading, look for Dr. Miriam Stoppard's Complete Baby & Child Care.

~The Rebecca Review

The new NPR 5th edition is an excellent resource for anyone needing to prepare for certification for NPR (i.e. ob/neonatal nurses, OB's, pediatricians, perinatologists, etc)

It is easy to read, has repitition that allows reinforcement of principles learned throughout the text. Quizzes appear throughout to assist in retention and integration of information.

The DVD-ROM included in the book is improved over the last one. For the visual learner, this is most helpful. The DVD-ROM includes, computer generated images, scenarios, and the book quizzes as well. An excellent adjunct to the book, that can be used as a stand-alone review.

There are a few discrepancies between the book and the DVD-ROM, but overall the set together is worth the price.

There is also the availability to take the NPR written examination on-line and then locate an instructor to complete the practical sessions. This is helpful for any busy practitioner when needing to schedule this exam, since the written component has close to 100 questions.

I found that this version was extremely useful in preparation for taking the NRP renewal test and practical for the mock code. It is also a great reference manual in my work in the NICU. I like that it came with a DVD.

Expanding on previous editions, the latest version of NPR provides a clear and concise format with which to study from in order to prepare and successfully pass the NPR exam. The included CD-ROM is a computer version of the text reading material. It did, however, have the appropriate videos which would assist any RN needing a quick review of various situations presented in real-time format. The book is highly recommended to any health-care professional needing information for the first time or any time usage for neonatal care.

Studying for my renewal for NRP proved to be as easy as the initial class with the cd-rom. I have extremely limited contact with this pt. population, but I am able to easily recall the information attained through this text/multimedia. Although nothing substitutes actual "hands-on," instruction or experience, this will provide a valuable asset for the ACLS/PALS impaired.

The book has absolutely everything you need to know word-for-word to get certified in NALS. It comes from more of a nursing perspective so little details like how to operate the jackson-reiss and anatomy of the airway will be extremely redunant for respiratory therapists.

I found the CD-ROM included was very buggy in my computer. While it was helpful to see everything happening at once, the videos' content should have been more closely watched, since during a chapter about mechanical ventilation saying bag at around a rate of 40, will clearly show the person at the head ventilating at a rate of closer to 70 or 80.

To the poster who said that the book is not full of good info...maybe we wouldn't need a common sense book to tell us how to parent if we would all learn to listen to our instincts. So many parents have gotten so good at ignoring them because that is what all the "experts" tell them to do. If nothing else, my hope is that this common sense book reminds parents why we were given instincts when it comes to parenting and I truly hope that this book is totally unecessary very soon---it would mean that we all finally "get it" when it comes to parenting. Yes, it's common sense, but it by no means is how the majority of people parent in our current society!

In this book, Dr. Jay presents a philosophy that treats children with respect, love and nurturing. From having read many, many child rearing books, this is the best book I've come across. It's certainly not an in-depth "how to" like the Sears books, and I don't believe that was Dr. Jay's intent. I believe its fundamental value is in sharing a new way of thinking. As the title suggests, it presents the thought process behind how to approach parenting. And, while the Sears and other "how to" books are great, they're not really needed if you follow the advice in this book -- listening to and respecting your baby and following your instincts. And while this approach certainly asks a little more of us as parents, I see the benefits time and time again in my own children. If only more parents could read this book, I think we'd all have healthier and happier kids. I give a copy to every expecting mom/dad I know. It's a shame it's so hard to find new copies of the book.

LOVE this book. Very handy as an addition to Sears and Sears books because it gives additional practical advice and direction on co-sleeping and breastfeeding. I like to give it to newly pregnant couples and hope they receive it before they get Babywise by Ezzo. It is a easy read and as a third time mom I gained valuable information and affirmation.

Dr. Jay Gordon encourages parents to follow their instincts and tune in to their baby in this guide to parenting that covers the period from pregnancy through baby's first year. This book advocates a gentle approach to parenting infants and strongly supports breastfeeding -- it's clear that Dr. Gordon, unlike many authors, knows the research on infant feeding and is responsible enough to share it (unlike those doctors like my first pediatrician who give you "babies do just fine on formula" instead of providing information based on research). An Appendix titled "A-Z Conditions and Concerns" provides information on such topics as jaundice, infant acne, and teething. Dr. Gordon is so funny, down to earth, and wise, and I never feel as though he's pandering or talking down to the reader. I'm glad he wrote this book.

This is a must have book for new parents. My twins are patients of Dr. Jay and he is absolutely as wonderful as his book presents. This book easily lays out information regarding nutrition, vaccines, and basic parenting. It helps to dispell the current thinkings on letting your baby cry it out as well as building your confidence by encouraging you to trust your instincts to go to your child when he/she needs you. When your baby cries, it is his/her only means of communication at such a young age. Listen and respond. It is such a short time in their lives and my husband and I have seen first hand how his parenting preferences have resulted in absolutely wonderful toddlers.

I found this book to be very helpful from a nutritional standpoint. It is sad that most babies are exposed to McDonalds before they are even a year old. No wonder obesity is a problem in America.

If you want to buy a version of this book new, as Amazon currently only has used copies, you may obtain it from Dr. Jay's website: www.drjaygordon.com. It is $10 with $1 shipping charge.

If you are looking for a more natural and organic approach to raising your child, this is a wonderful book for you.

If you are a co-sleeping parent, please also check out Dr. Jay's book called, "Good Nights". It is an absolute essential. Best of luck to you all!

Both of my children we colic! I have a 22 month old and a 6 month old. We lived by this book during those tought times. My kids are also patients of Dr. Weisbluth's. I can not say enough about the book about the support/guidance it gave me in probably the roughest time of our lives.

Our first child cried for an average of 14 hours a day. I would do what ever I could to soothe her. After I read this book, I tweeked a few things and it really helped. Sometimes parents of colic children just need a little professional reassurance. This is it!! I would go to this book when I needed some reminders of what to do. Especially with the first. Any first time parent needs that ego boost to let you know you are doing the right things.

With our second child, the crying lasted for 8 hours at its peak. I could not believe we were going through this again. And when I needed the extra guidance, this book really helped me calm down and know that I was not crazy or a bad mom.

I am very lucky to have Dr. Weisbluth as my children's physician. He is the most gentle and caring person. As in his book,in person he educates you so you understand colic. For someone who has to understand and have background information to start feeling comfortable and more confident, I think his approach is perfect.

He also taught me, as parents, tend to worry so about the baby and the crying.......you also need to take care of yourself to make it through the tough times. Without him, I would have just driven myself into the ground.

Now we are through the colic and concentrating on sleep. I followed his programs to teach my children to sleep. My kids sleep 12 - 14 hours at night and take long, great naps.

He is terrific!!!!!!!!! A must have for families!!!!!!

If you own "Sweet Baby" you need no other book, guide, or-as some refer to the "What to Expect" series-"bible" to caring for your newborn.

In "Sweet Baby" you possess the history of scientific research on infant fussiness in a relatively well-organized and accessible short book. From the first book in the English language on pediatrics, "The Book of Chyldren," to contemporary studies completed at the world's top universities, Weissbluth, in the comprehensive style of the best academics, bases his conclusions on broad knowledge of the topic.

What are his conclusions? I hate to give them away. In some sense his book reads like a mystery only Hercules Poirot can solve (and Dr. Weissbluth himself, refer to the photograph on the back jacket, is every bit as refined and debonair as this fine, Belgian detective). First, Weissbluth debunks the myths (11) about why babies fuss (e.g. gas, brand of formula, breast milk, drugs during labor, birth order of infant, constipation, family tension, etc.). Next he focuses on the methodological difficulties of determining degrees, rates, and instances of infant fussiness (e.g., Would a researcher ever actually spend evening hours with her/his case studies? Just as results peak, they begin to ebb, etc.). Then, Weissbluth informs us about what about infant fussiness actually can be scientifically proven (e.g., average amount of crying for normal, non-colicky babies is three hours per day; extreme fussiness usually last for three to four months; research on melatonin and seratonin levels in the brain of a newborn probably relevant to our understanding of infant fussiness and infant sleep; gestation of homo sapiens adapted from twelve months to nine months when humans began to walk on two legs, therefore first three months of infant's life actually complete gestational development which once took place in the womb, and others.). Finally, Weissbluth offers, on the basis of these firm conclusions, how parents and caretakers can effectively approach the problem of infant fussiness. He offers care, on the analogy of a teenager in adolescence, over cure.

Indeed, Weissbluth's what-to-do pages are the most bland. They are not different from most other books, tapes, and places of advice to which one can go for information on infants. Rhythmic rocking, serious hugs, baby massage, sucking and so on, all, as most mothers know, usually work. Crib vibrators, hot water bottles, herbs, lamb's wool, nipple shapes, and diets for nursing mothers, all, as most mothers know, usually do not, or rather, as Weissbluth cleverly heeds, "Everything works for a while."

"Sweet Baby" is, however, not for some. Perhaps the second half of the title "How To Soothe Your Newborn" is not accurate. "Sweet Baby" is an intellectual's approach to the problem of infant fussiness. As stated above it offers very little that is new in terms of ideas for soothing your child. Indeed that is Weissbluth's point!

So if you are looking for a self-help book in the style of those which proliferated on our bookshelves in the 1980's offering quick fixes, glib responses, and easy solutions, this book is not for you. If, on the other hand, you solve problems by understanding them better, this book is for you.

For my part, I was enormously relieved to find "Sweet Baby." Having read it I was armed for a Weissbluth-approach to our second child. Unfortunately, he never cries.

As a first time mom, I was in for a rude awakening when my baby began, at two weeks old, to have long, loud screaming bouts that lasted for hours, and absolutely would not sleep for more than 10 hours (sometimes less!) in a 24-hour period. My pediatrician informed my husband and me that our child had colic, and that there was no known "cure", that it would simply go away on its own when the baby was 3 or 4 months old. Not really knowing anything about colic, I did a little research on the internet, and came up with this book. "Sweet Baby" does not profess to have all the answers as to what causes colic, nor does it offer much of a solution beyond the usual (pacifiers,rocking, etc....). What it does offer is a background on the history of research and beliefs about colic, what current research and theories say about colic,parent testamonials and stories about their experiences with colic, and colic myths debunked. This book takes an academic stance toward trying to explain colicky babies. I was grateful to have been able to read this book, because it gave me more of an understanding of what colic is all about. After reading it, I felt more sympathetic towards my child, rather than bewildered and frustrated. I also felt like I wasn't alone in my experiences, because I was able to read about and relate to every single one of the parent's stories featured in this book. It made me feel like there was someone out there who understood what I was going through with my child. So many people (whose chldren have never had colic and who do not themselves have a medical degree) have given me so-called "advice" on what to do for my child to "cure" the colic, all of it very tiresome and insulting, because it implies (oh-so-subtley) that it is the parent's fault that the child has colic. This book emphasizes that IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!!!!! Thank you Dr. Weissbluth for writing this book and thank you Amazon for making it available for parents like me!

If you own "Sweet Baby" you need no other book, guide, or-as some refer to the "What to Expect" series-"bible" to caring for your newborn.

In "Sweet Baby" you possess the history of scientific research on infant fussiness in a relatively well-organized and accessible short book. From the first book in the English language on pediatrics, "The Book of Chyldren," to contemporary studies completed at the world's top universities, Weissbluth, in the comprehensive style of the best academics, bases his conclusions on broad knowledge of the topic.

What are his conclusions? I hate to give them away. In some sense his book reads like a mystery only Hercules Poirot can solve (and Dr. Weissbluth himself, refer to the photograph on the back jacket, is every bit as refined and debonair as this fine, Belgian detective). First, Weissbluth debunks the myths (11) about why babies fuss (e.g. gas, brand of formula, breast milk, drugs during labor, birth order of infant, constipation, family tension, etc.). Next he focuses on the methodological difficulties of determining degrees, rates, and instances of infant fussiness (e.g., Would a researcher ever actually spend evening hours with her/his case studies? Just as results peak, they begin to ebb, etc.). Then, Weissbluth informs us about what about infant fussiness actually can be scientifically proven (e.g., average amount of crying for normal, non-colicky babies is three hours per day; extreme fussiness usually last for three to four months; research on melatonin and seratonin levels in the brain of a newborn probably relevant to our understanding of infant fussiness and infant sleep; gestation of homo sapiens adapted from twelve months to nine months when humans began to walk on two legs, therefore first three months of infant's life actually complete gestational development which once took place in the womb, and others.). Finally, Weissbluth offers, on the basis of these firm conclusions, how parents and caretakers can effectively approach the problem of infant fussiness. He offers care, on the analogy of a teenager in adolescence, over cure.

Indeed, Weissbluth's what-to-do pages are the most bland. They are not different from most other books, tapes, and places of advice to which one can go for information on infants. Rhythmic rocking, serious hugs, baby massage, sucking and so on, all, as most mothers know, usually work. Crib vibrators, hot water bottles, herbs, lamb's wool, nipple shapes, and diets for nursing mothers, all, as most mothers know, usually do not, or rather, as Weissbluth cleverly heeds, "Everything works for a while."

"Sweet Baby" is, however, not for some. Perhaps the second half of the title "How To Soothe Your Newborn" is not accurate. "Sweet Baby" is an intellectual's approach to the problem of infant fussiness. As stated above it offers very little that is new in terms of ideas for soothing your child. Indeed that is Weissbluth's point!

So if you are looking for a self-help book in the style of those which proliferated on our bookshelves in the 1980's offering quick fixes, glib responses, and easy solutions, this book is not for you. If, on the other hand, you solve problems by understanding them better, this book is for you.

For my part, I was enormously relieved to find "Sweet Baby." Having read it I was armed for a Weissbluth-approach to our second child. Unfortunately, he never cries.

As a parent of two formerly colicky babies, now four years and four months old, respectively, I found this book to be deeply comforting and affirming of my experience. Most people who have a colicky infant will hear tons of (often unsolicited) advice, most of it unhelpful, some of it outright insulting. Dr. Weissbluth explains that extreme fussiness is a developmental stage that will, indeed, come to an end. That in itself is something every parent of a colicky infant needs to understand in those first trying and exhusting weeks. There are no magical cures, there is simply patience and understanding, and Dr. Weissbluth certainly gave us the prescription for these traits in this book. There is also very helpful advice about how to help your post-colicky baby emerge from extreme fussiness. I would recommend this book to any parent who is going through the torment of colick.

I tried every tip in this book but nothing worked. Nonetheless, it was a great book. It's funny and well written and the doctor has obviously thought a lot about this topic and done a lot of research. But, he never knew a kid like my kid. HE SAYS EVERYTHING AT TOP VOLUME! And mostly, it is screaming. However, I gave this book to my sister and it worked like a charm with her baby. Go figure!

This is a must have for all new parents. This is becoming one of my standard baby gifts, it will calm the parent resulting in a better life for the baby! Now we just need the next book for toddlers>

Every once in a while a book comes along that provides really useful information that can be applied easily to make life easier for parents and children. Rarely is one of these books as enjoyable to read as this one. Written with true wit, and obvious expertise, the author captures -- in one place -- execllent advice grounded in both medical science as well as thousands of years of empirical results. I'm adding one of these books to every newborn gift for my friends and relatives. Thank you, Dr. Orenstein.

This is perhaps the most comforting book for a new parent since Dr.Spock. Like De. Spock, the author is a well known pediatrician and as a father recognizes the problems a parent faces when the baby cries. The very practical suggestions would stand any parent in good stead but for the new parent it is essential. I believe this is one of the best gifts a friend can give to the new mother.

A rollicking good read! I laughed, I cried, I ran the whole gamut of emotional experience. Unfortunately, my baby kept crying no matter what I did. And since the darn thing's a paperback, it wasn't even that effective in knocking the kid cold when he wouldn't shut up. Anyone who thinks this book is useful must either be a relative of the author or someone he owes money.