Please recommend a book to help me-so frustrated!

Alyssa is a year old and we are having some MAJOR sleep problems with her. I know there are a lot of books out there - Im going to the library today to get one - I cant take another sleepless night. (too tired to even go into it right now ) I was thinking Dr Ferbers book "Solve your childs sleep problems" is this a good one? Im thinking that "The Happiest baby on the block" is geared more towards newborns, no? Any others I should look for? I need some help quickly....going to the library later this morning so respond asap if you wouldnt mind.

thanks ladies.

** if you read any of these type books, please tell me if they helped you with the issues you were having...I need some hope!

Message edited 7/31/2007 8:18:50 AM.

Re: Please recommend a book to help me-so frustrated!

I haven't read any but here is the link to the Amazon.com's reader reviews

"Solve Your Child's Sleep Problem"

Here is the synopsis of "Happiest Baby on the Block"
From Publishers Weekly
Karp, a pediatrician in Santa Monica, Calif., and assistant professor at the School of Medicine, UCLA, offers a new method to calm and soothe crying infants. While nursing or being held satisfies some babies, others seemingly cry for hours for no reason. These babies suffer from what Karp calls the Fourth Trimester. When you bring your soft, dimpled newborn home from the hospital, you may think your nursery is a peaceful sanctuary.... To him, it's a disorienting world part Las Vegas casino, part dark closet! Karp recommends a series of five steps designed to imitate the uterus. These steps include swaddling, side/stomach position, shhh sounds, swinging and sucking. The book includes detailed advice on the proper way to swaddle a child, the difference between a gentle rocking versus shaking and more. According to the author, virtually all babies will respond to these strategies although some trial and error may be needed to find the most effective calming method. A number of the steps letting kids nurse more frequently or encouraging babies to use pacifiers, for instance contradict other childcare experts. However, parents who are at their wits' ends because of a baby's incessant crying will find this book invaluable. In fact, expectant parents may want to read it before they bring their newborns home from the hospital.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I'd go with "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problem" Best of Luck!!

Re: Please recommend a book to help me-so frustrated!

"Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"

I must say I agree with over 90% of what this book says and I never agree with anything 90%

The theory is that we all have natural sleep rythmns and if you don't put your child to bed/nap during one of their drowsy states then their body releases cordisol (stress hormone) to keep them going and they wind up overtired, cranky, tantrums, etc. And then you can't get them to sleep and a viscious cycle begins. With a lack of rest for the brain and sleep for it to be able to process information this leads to a decrease in cognitive abilities that are cumulative over time. Kids need sleep in order to process what they learn. Plus kids who are overtired are basically livng on adrenaline... so very damaging over time possibly leading to many health problems.

The author goes through strategies for all ages from newborns through adolescents and explains how hormone shifts in development affect sleep. I must say as a high school teacher I agree with a lot of what he says. A lot of my students are completely overscheduled and keep long hours this results in their decreased ability during the day in the classroom.

He believes very early sleeping habits have a profound, long term affect throughout our lives on our health and brain development.

So far, my DS behavior has been right along with the book. He will cry and now I know, based upon his age, that he is nearing the end of the akeful period and he must go down.

DD is type A like me and will push, push, push herself. She gives me no warnings like DS just BAM... meltdown if she goes too long. She is very hard to put down and after a week on this program I put her in for her morning nap and not one second of fussiness

ETA: She just woke up after sleeeping 1:40... YIPPEE!!

Of course, not every theory will work for every baby but it is worth a look at.

Good luck

Message edited 7/31/2007 8:39:48 AM.

Re: Please recommend a book to help me-so frustrated!

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

"Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"

I must say I agree with over 90% of what this book says and I never agree with anything 90%

The theory is that we all have natural sleep rythmns and if you don't put your child to bed/nap during one of their drowsy states then their body releases cordisol (stress hormone) to keep them going and they wind up overtired, cranky, tantrums, etc. And then you can't get them to sleep and a viscious cycle begins. With a lack of rest for the brain and sleep for it to be able to process information this leads to a decrease in cognitive abilities that are cumulative over time. Kids need sleep in order to process what they learn. Plus kids who are overtired are basically livng on adrenaline... so very damaging over time possibly leading to many health problems.

The author goes through strategies for all ages from newborns through adolescents and explains how hormone shifts in development affect sleep. I must say as a high school teacher I agree with a lot of what he says. A lot of my students are completely overscheduled and keep long hours this results in their decreased ability during the day in the classroom.

He believes very early sleeping habits have a profound, long term affect throughout our lives on our health and brain development.

So far, my DS behavior has been right along with the book. He will cry and now I know, based upon his age, that he is nearing the end of the akeful period and he must go down.

DD is type A like me and will push, push, push herself. She gives me no warnings like DS just BAM... meltdown if she goes too long. She is very hard to put down and after a week on this program I put her in for her morning nap and not one second of fussiness

ETA: She just woke up after sleeeping 1:40... YIPPEE!!

Of course, not every theory will work for every baby but it is worth a look at.

Good luck