The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep: Simple Solutions for Kids from Birth to 5 Years

by Harvey Karp

Overview

America’s favorite pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, now focuses his unparalleled knowledge, experience, and insight on solving the #1 concern of parents everywhere: sleep. With The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep, Dr. Karp—arguably the world’s foremost parenting expert and bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block—offers invaluable tips on how to help your newborn, infant, or toddler get the rest they need, while debunking some of the most widely held myths about babies and sleep. Dr. Karp’s advice has already be sought after by some of Hollywood’s brightest stars—including Michelle Pfeiffer, Pierce Brosnan, and Madonna—and now his The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep can help anyone guide even the most resistant small child gently toward wonderful, restful, healthful slumber, so that mom and dad can enjoy a good night’s sleep themselves!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062113337
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/19/2012
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	699,139
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Harvey Karp, M.D., is a nationally celebrated pediatrician, child development specialist, and children's environmental health advocate. He is on the faculty of the USC School of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Karp's books and DVDs, The Happiest Baby on the Block, The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep, teach parents breakthrough techniques to reduce infant crying, boost sleep, build toddler patience, and stop tantrums. Millions of parents have benefited from his advice, including celebrities such as Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer, Larry David, Jewel, and Pierce Brosnan. Translated into more than twenty languages and taught across America by thousands of Happiest Baby educators, the enormous popularity of Dr. Karp's work has made him one of the most read—and most trusted—pediatricians in history.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The Science of Sleep: Understanding the Beautiful, Deep Ocean of Slumber 6

Part 1 Sweet Sleep for Little Babies: Birth to Three Months 29

Chapter 2 The Early Days: Setting the Stage for Safe and Happy Sleep 31

Chapter 3 Helping Your Baby Fall Asleep: Birth to Three Months 59

Chapter 4 Stretching Your Baby's Sleep-and Yours: Birth to Three Months 99

Chapter 5 Q&A: Common Questions About Baby Sleep: Birth to Three Months 118

Part 2 Sidestepping Infant Sleep Problems: Three to Twelve Months 123

Chapter 6 "Hello, World!" Your Infant Wakes Up to Life: Three to Twelve Months 125

Chapter 7 Helping Your Infant Get to Sleep: Three to Twelve Months 141

Chapter 8 Helping Your Infant Stay Asleep: Three to Twelve Months 163

Chapter 9 Q&A: Common Questions About Infants' Sleep: Three to Twelve Months 196

Part 3 Sleep Solutions in the Toddler and Preschool Years: One to Five Years 201

Chapter 10 "Ready Set&hellpi; Go!" Welcome to the Hectic Life of Little Kids: One to Five Years 203

Chapter 11 Helping Your Little Whirlwind Wind Down for Sleep: One to Five Years 233

Chapter 12 Helping Your Tyke Sleep All Night: One to Five Years 263

Chapter 13 Q&A: The Whys About Tot and Preschooler Sleep: One to Five Years 295

Part 4 Tips to Create Happy Naps and to Handle Special Situations 301

Chapter 14 Nipping Nap Problems in the Bud 303

Chapter 15 Red Alerts and Special Situations 317

Appendix 339

Sample Sleep Schedules 340

Glossary 342

References 347

Resources 354

Index 355

What People are Saying About This

Lucy Puryear

“Sleep deprivation often pushes moms into postpartum depression. Dr. Karp’s fabulous new book is at the top of my list to help all new parents get the sleep they need to stay healthy and enjoy this precious time of life.”

Harley Rotbart

“I learned more about kids’ sleep from this book than in my entire thirty years of practice. Dr. Karp’s great advice will make you the happiest parents on the block!”

Harold Koplewicz

Dr. Karp rescues weary parents with great ideas that flip conventional wisdom right on its head! His fresh insights will help turn your bedtime screamer...into a champion sleeper.

Laurie David

“If you’re starting to feel ‘sleep’ only exists in a dictionary, then this book was written for you! America’s #1 pediatrician can help turn your nightly stress into glorious rest.”

Francine Kaufman

“This book is a breakthrough! Poor sleep doesn’t just cause exhaustion; it even triggers obesity - of children and parents! With ingenuity and insight Dr. Karp reveals simple steps to boost sleep...and promote the health of the entire family.”

Roni Cohen Leiderman

Amazing! Dr. Karp has done it again! With wit and wisdom he reveals the simple steps to get precious extra hours of rest. This remarkable book will have your babies and toddlers sleeping in no time!

Matt Goldman

What a gift! Dr. Karp (once again) makes things so easy. You’ll reconnect with the miracle of sleep faster than you can imagine...and you’ll be the dad - and husband - you really want to be. It works!

Arianna Huffington

“Exhaustion is no longer the fate of all new parents. Now babies and toddlers—and their parents —can sleep better and longer thanks to Dr. Karp’s practical advice and wisdom.”

Jennifer Shu

Finally, everything you need to know about sleep is all in one book! The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep shows how to get a good night’s sleep...without all the tears. It’s a must-read for sleep-deprived parents!

Kyle Pruett

Once again, Dr. Karp saves parent sanity (and rescues relationships). With his trademark smart, fast-acting advice, he’ll help your child - and you - sleep better and longer!

Ian Paul

“Dr. Karp’s white noise advice is incredibly helpful for boosting sleep. I recommend it to my patients...and even use it with my own children!

Diane Debrovner

“When your little child sleeps well...life just seems happier. Dr. Karp’s unique and gentle ideas may be exactly what you’ve been dreaming of!”

Gary Freed

“What a great job! Dr. Karp weaves together modern science and ancient wisdom to dispel common sleep myths. His simple, clear advice will help your little one sleep through the night.”

Editorial Reviews

Popular pediatrician Karp (The Happiest Baby on the Block) points out that 60%–80% of parents say their kids have sleep problems. These make life all the more difficult for sleep-deprived parents who may get less than six hours of sleep per night and desperately grapple with conflicting bedtime advice from parenting experts and others. Karp lays a number of myths to rest in his latest book, including the idea that babies, who have shorter sleep cycles than adults, can’t learn better sleep habits before three months of age. In fact, he gets right to work giving parents tips and tools to help their newborns develop good sleeping patterns, and then moves on to older babies and toddlers. Among the keys to Karp’s sleep solutions are using womblike white noise, swaddling, and waking baby for a “dream” sleep before putting him down (in his own crib, co-sleeper, or bassinet rather than bed-sharing until he is at least four months old to help prevent SIDS). Karp does not recommend the “crying it out” method (arguing that the approach has a bad effect on an infant’s sense of trust and security) except when all other measures fail. For older kids, he presents a humorously labeled “twinkle interruptus” tactic, in which the parents teach their child “patience stretching.” Exhausted parents will warmly welcome Karp’s encouraging tone and innovative, think-outside-the-crib solutions. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Exhaustion is no longer the fate of all new parents. Now babies and toddlers—and their parents —can sleep better and longer thanks to Dr. Karp’s practical advice and wisdom.” — Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post

“This book is a breakthrough! Poor sleep doesn’t just cause exhaustion; it even triggers obesity - of children and parents! With ingenuity and insight Dr. Karp reveals simple steps to boost sleep...and promote the health of the entire family.” — Francine Kaufman, MD, past-president American Diabetes Association, author of Diabesity

“What a great job! Dr. Karp weaves together modern science and ancient wisdom to dispel common sleep myths. His simple, clear advice will help your little one sleep through the night.” — Gary Freed, DO, FAAP, FACOP, Director, Pediatric Sleep Center, Emory University School of Medicine

“If you’re starting to feel ‘sleep’ only exists in a dictionary, then this book was written for you! America’s #1 pediatrician can help turn your nightly stress into glorious rest.” — Laurie David, Mom, Producer - An Inconvenient Truth, Author - The Family Dinner

“I learned more about kids’ sleep from this book than in my entire thirty years of practice. Dr. Karp’s great advice will make you the happiest parents on the block!” — Harley Rotbart, MD, Professor, Vice Chair of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, author of No Regrets Parenting

“Dr. Karp’s white noise advice is incredibly helpful for boosting sleep. I recommend it to my patients...and even use it with my own children! — Ian Paul, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, Penn State College of Medicine

“Dr. Karp is a parenting hero! His Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep would have helped tremendously when I was an exhausted new mom. It’s a must have resource for all families.” — Jane Honikman, MS, Founder Postpartum Support International

“Sleep deprivation often pushes moms into postpartum depression. Dr. Karp’s fabulous new book is at the top of my list to help all new parents get the sleep they need to stay healthy and enjoy this precious time of life.” — Lucy Puryear, MD, Medical Director, The Women's Place: Center for Reproductive Psychiatry, Texas Children's Hospital, President, Postpartum Support International

Amazing! Dr. Karp has done it again! With wit and wisdom he reveals the simple steps to get precious extra hours of rest. This remarkable book will have your babies and toddlers sleeping in no time! — Roni Cohen Leiderman, PhD, Dean, Mailman Segal Center for Human Development, Nova Southeastern University Roni Cohen Leiderman, PhD, Dean, Mailman Segal Center for Human Development, Nova Southeastern University Roni Cohen Leiderman, PhD, Dean, Mailman Segal Center for Human Development, Nova Southeastern University Roni Cohen Leiderman, PhD, Dean, Mailman Segal Center for Human Development, Nova Southeastern University Roni Cohen Leiderman, PhD, Dean, Mailman Segal Center for Human

“Mixing good science—with a welcome dose of humor—this once-in-a-generation sleep book will strengthen your skills and lower your stress.” — Jetta Bernier, Executive Director, Massachusetts Citizens for Children

Once again, Dr. Karp saves parent sanity (and rescues relationships). With his trademark smart, fast-acting advice, he’ll help your child - and you - sleep better and longer! — Kyle Pruett, MD, Professor, Yale School of Medicine, co-author, Partnership Parenting

“When your little child sleeps well...life just seems happier. Dr. Karp’s unique and gentle ideas may be exactly what you’ve been dreaming of!” — Diane Debrovner, deputy editor, Parents magazine

What a gift! Dr. Karp (once again) makes things so easy. You’ll reconnect with the miracle of sleep faster than you can imagine...and you’ll be the dad - and husband - you really want to be. It works! — Matt Goldman, Co-Founder- Blue Man Group and Blue School

Finally, everything you need to know about sleep is all in one book! The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep shows how to get a good night’s sleep...without all the tears. It’s a must-read for sleep-deprived parents! — Jennifer Shu, MD, pediatrician, co-author of Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

Dr. Karp rescues weary parents with great ideas that flip conventional wisdom right on its head! His fresh insights will help turn your bedtime screamer...into a champion sleeper. — Harold Koplewicz, MD, Founder and President, Child Mind Institute

Exhausted parents will warmly welcome Karp’s encouraging tone and innovative, think-outside-the-crib solutions. — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Dr. Karp’s white noise advice is incredibly helpful for boosting sleep. I recommend it to my patients...and even use it with my own children!

Ian Paul

This book is a breakthrough! Poor sleep doesn’t just cause exhaustion; it even triggers obesity - of children and parents! With ingenuity and insight Dr. Karp reveals simple steps to boost sleep...and promote the health of the entire family.

Francine Kaufman

Sleep deprivation often pushes moms into postpartum depression. Dr. Karp’s fabulous new book is at the top of my list to help all new parents get the sleep they need to stay healthy and enjoy this precious time of life.

Lucy Puryear

Mixing good science—with a welcome dose of humor—this once-in-a-generation sleep book will strengthen your skills and lower your stress.

Jetta Bernier

What a great job! Dr. Karp weaves together modern science and ancient wisdom to dispel common sleep myths. His simple, clear advice will help your little one sleep through the night.

Gary Freed

Exhaustion is no longer the fate of all new parents. Now babies and toddlers—and their parents —can sleep better and longer thanks to Dr. Karp’s practical advice and wisdom.

Arianna Huffington

If you’re starting to feel ‘sleep’ only exists in a dictionary, then this book was written for you! America’s #1 pediatrician can help turn your nightly stress into glorious rest.

Laurie David

I learned more about kids’ sleep from this book than in my entire thirty years of practice. Dr. Karp’s great advice will make you the happiest parents on the block!

Harley Rotbart

Dr. Karp is a parenting hero! His Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep would have helped tremendously when I was an exhausted new mom. It’s a must have resource for all families.

Jane Honikman

Finally, everything you need to know about sleep is all in one book! The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep shows how to get a good night’s sleep...without all the tears. It’s a must-read for sleep-deprived parents!

Jennifer Shu

Once again, Dr. Karp saves parent sanity (and rescues relationships). With his trademark smart, fast-acting advice, he’ll help your child - and you - sleep better and longer!

Kyle Pruett

Dr. Karp rescues weary parents with great ideas that flip conventional wisdom right on its head! His fresh insights will help turn your bedtime screamer...into a champion sleeper.

Harold Koplewicz

What a gift! Dr. Karp (once again) makes things so easy. You’ll reconnect with the miracle of sleep faster than you can imagine...and you’ll be the dad - and husband - you really want to be. It works!

Matt Goldman

When your little child sleeps well...life just seems happier. Dr. Karp’s unique and gentle ideas may be exactly what you’ve been dreaming of!

Diane Debrovner

Amazing! Dr. Karp has done it again! With wit and wisdom he reveals the simple steps to get precious extra hours of rest. This remarkable book will have your babies and toddlers sleeping in no time!

Roni Cohen Leiderman

Pediatrician and popular author Karp (The Happiest Baby on the Block) offers a phone book-length title on sleep. Organized by age, he covers the expected material, along with such late-to-the-game myth-busters as “never wake a sleeping baby.” While Karp is a popular and bestselling author, there isn’t much new here in terms of research and approach, and his liberal recommendations are a bit dubious—always pick up a crying baby and repeat the cycle “over and over.” In addition, some Q&As seem completely fabricated: “Does swaddling hurt a baby’s hips?” There are so many books on the market about infant sleep that it’s a wonder we still have something to discuss.
VERDICT While the advice is sound, the book is embarrassingly long while the author belabors the obvious and the pace is insufferable. Despite the critique, patrons may likely request.

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