Get Baby to Sleep Without Crying

Possibly one of the most well-known books on the topic of gentle methods for nighttime parenting is Elizabeth Pantley's The No Cry Sleep Solution. Pantley's book stands in sharp contrast to cry it out sleep techniques similar to the views expressed by Dr. Richard Ferber. What parents may appreciate is that she passes no judgement on the choices parents have made- breastfeeding, bottlefeeling, cosleeping, or crib sleeping.

Instead, she focuses on a menu of practical, safe methods that parents can pick and choose. She uses clear language and step-by-step guides to relate to parents how they can help their baby to sleep without tears.

Like Pantley's work, Dr. William Sears writes from the view point that parents need to find a nighttime solution that matches their baby's and their own personalities. He doesn't suggest a one-size-fits-all plan, nor does he present rigid ideas that must be followed to a T. It is not a book that presents a method, but rather a series of tips on baby sleep.

It is obvious that Sears is an advocate of attachment parenting, and because of that it may be a better read for parents who are open to this parenting movement. For parents who are looking for a more traditional approach to nighttime parenting that still does not involve periods of leaving baby alone to cry, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer and The 90 Minute Baby Sleep Program would be excellent alternatives.

Tracy Hogg's best-seller, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby, has been a well-reviewed book for your parenting shelf. Hogg approaches solving night sleep problems by focusing on daytime activies. She strongly advocates building routines into your babies day. Her book stands in the middle of rigid sleep training methods and the more open cosleeping option. However, parents who have chosen to breastfeed may find that at times Hogg's feeding advice runs contrary to the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the La Leche League International. These parents can still glean some wonderful insights, but may want to gloss over her suggetions on breastfeeding.

Polly Moore Ph.D., a sleep researcher in the field of neuroscience, offers parents some great advice in achieving better sleep at naptime and bedtime. Moore discusses the tight link between naps and nightime sleep and offers parents a structured approach to solving sleep programs that stem from their baby's natural sleep rhythms.

Parents should know before buying this book that Moore does not completely provide cry-free solutions. She does suggest that some crying may be necessary, so for parents not keen on using any form of crying it out, they may want to opt for a different reference (either that or simply ignore those parts).

Family therapist Kim West has a new revised edition of her book The Sleep Lady's Good Night Sleep Tight. West comes from the standpoint of using gentle behavior modification techniques (which she calls the Sleep Lady Shuffle) to get baby to sleep better. It also provides advice throughout newborn to toddler ages with thorough insights on sleep studies as well as many anecdotes from families.

The book contains many no-cry techniques, but is not entirely a no-tears appraoch. She does suggest allowing the baby to cry, but West places the parents in the room with their baby rather than leaving the baby to cry alone. West also speaks out against co-sleeping after 3-4 months of age, so may not be the right fit for families looking for open ideas.