If you haven’t heard of Elizabeth Pantley, you’re missing out.
I will say again that I am super lucky to have the opportunity to read and review so many interesting parenting books. Ms. Pantley’s latest book (she’s written over a dozen!–check out her website here), is specifically about NEWBORN sleep.
THIS is the book moms and dads want to read before their baby arrives. It is well-researched and chock-full of important information that will prepare you for the survival of your child’s newborn phase. And it will help you create a sleep foundation for your little one that will last for life. My 8-year-old sleeps through the night most of the time, so I’m feeling pretty good about myself, but if you want advice from an expert, read this book!
The intro gives an overview of The 15 Keys to Amazing Newborn Sleep, which I will give you a sneak peek at right here:
- Get to Know Your New Baby: Strong encouragement to slow down, trust your parental instincts, and tune into your unique child.
- Have Realistic Expectations: It is incredible how quickly unreasonable thoughts and “shoulds” can creep in. Sound info included to facilitate reality checks.
- Learn to Read Your Baby’s Sleepy Signals: Babies who are tired require a bit of decoding. This section helps parents learn to “read” their babies better.
- Respect the Span of “Happily Awake Time”: An overview of the science of sleep and reassurance that each baby is unique.
- Differentiate Between Sleeping Noises and Awake Noises: Advice for parents who worry at every sound: BABIES MAKE SOUNDS IN THEIR SLEEP.
- Use the Soothing Sounds of Pink-Hued White Noise: Explanations about why pink noise is better than white, and rationale for why it helps.
- Set Your Baby’s Biological Clock: Why babies seem to have their days and nights mixed-up (but really don’t) and how to help.
- Ensure Adequate Daily Naps: Better understanding of naps and reasons they are beneficial for your newborn.
- Understand and Respect Your Baby’s Sucking: The truth about babies who want to suck while falling asleep and how to handle it.
- Help Your Baby Make Friends with the Bassinet: Tips for healthy, safe sleep in a crib or cradle EVEN IF you choose to bed-share.
- Swaddle Your Baby in the Right Times and in the Right Way: The pros and cons of swaddling and how to make an informed decision.
- Give Your Baby Opportunities to Fall Asleep Unaided: Ah yes, the super sage advice to put down your baby when they are sleepy, but not sleeping.
- Provide Motion for Peaceful Sleep: The down-low on different ways to offer baby motion while asleep in the safest way possible.
- Develop a Hint of a Bedtime Routine: While an elaborate routine is not necessary for an infant, some repetition and structure is helpful groundwork.
- Live by the No-Cry Philosophy (see below) and Enjoy Your Happy Family: A general pep-talk about following your own start when it comes to parenting.
The Basic Promises (to Yourself) of the No-Cry Philosophy:
- I will commit to being a kind, compassionate parent.
- I will be a knowledgeable parent. I’ll read, listen, and learn.
- I will view my actions through the eyes and the experiences of my children and teach by both lesson and example.
- I won’t look for the easy way, I’ll look for the right way.
- I will make thoughtful, purposeful decisions.
- I will be a present parent, both in quality and quantity of time.
- I will focus on what is important, not what is convenient or easy.
- I will consider the future as I make daily decisions.
It’s a lovely book with a tone that’s both compassionate and informative. Its methods were used by many test parents, and includes the added bonus of many of their views in “Parent Speak” sections. It also includes a helpful section entitled: How to Handle Unwanted Advice About Your Parenting Choices. Love that!
Have you read this book or any of the other No-Cry Solutions? What helped you the most?
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book.
Sarah MacLaughlin is author of the award-winning book, What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children and has been featured in The Huffington Post. She brings over 20 years of experience working with children and families to her coaching practice. Sarah is also mom to an eight-year-old who gives her plenty of opportunities to take her own advice. She works with families one on one, in groups, and through online offerings.
