thanks, i requested this book from the library!


--- In midwifecenternewparentsgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Shanna Bartram"
<anne.shanna@...> wrote:
>
> A good book is Marc Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy
Child". I
> realize that mothers may not have time to read an entire 500 page
book, but
> the book is broken down into many specific chapters that are
manageable,
> based on age, problems, etc. I read it while I nurse. I highly
recommend
> it, as it is written by a doctor who is also an infant/child sleep
> researcher and the book was highly recommened to me. The most
useful thing
> about the book is that it tells of all the different sleep patterns
that a
> child goes through (especially in the first year) and it prepares
me as my
> baby changes her patterns as she grows. I feel much more in control
> because I am expecting and am ready for her changes.
>
> In short, some things that may help:
> Sleep begets sleep...
>
> Make sure his naps are secure. He should be sleepy around 9:00 am
and 1:00
> p.m. Soothe him to sleep BEFORE he is fussy. Once babies are
overtired
> their adrenaline spikes and they CAN"T fall asleep.
>
> Move bedtime a little earlier too.
>
> I also use white noise... Ocean music and the bathroom fan...
>
> The book also covers the "let cry" and "gradual extinction"
approach. Both
> are good methods, although the author explains that"let cry" is
quicker and
> more effective (3 days or so). Gradual extinction works, but the
baby may
> outlast the exhausted mother and the baby will eventually learn to
cry
> longer and longer. And the smallest regression stimulates the baby
and will
> cause him to cry for more attention. So be very vigilent.
Consistency is
> the key.
>
> But regardless... Babies are babies..."Birds fly, babies cry"
>
> Good luck and God Bless :)
>