The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight

December 7, 2009
In this expanded edition, first published in 2004, child and family therapist West (aka “The Sleep Lady”) further explores the ways parents can teach their infants and toddlers the indispensable skill of falling and staying asleep. West has added the latest pediatric research on sleep safety, pacifier use, and breastfeeding, as well as expanded sections on toddler naps, interpreting newborn cries, and phasing out nighttime feedings. She has also included sections on bedtime baby yoga poses, a chapter on room sharing and bed sharing (encouraging parents to carefully assess their attitudes before making a decision on whether to co-sleep) and postpartum depression. West eschews the “cry it out” approach, which may leave parents feeling guilty and exhausted. Instead, her “Sleep Lady Shuffle” is a gentle behavior modification technique that helps babies gradually master solo sleeping and self-soothing. The author covers such general sleep tips as creating a sleep-friendly environment and using “loveys,” and then offers individual chapters addressing various age groups from newborn to five; readers can readily find information pertinent to their particular child and situation. In this detailed guide, West advises parents to practice patience and consistency, and maintain a united front as they lull their baby into slumber land.