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110 reviews for:
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby
Melinda Blau, Tracy Hogg
3.55 AVERAGE
110 reviews for:
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby
Melinda Blau, Tracy Hogg
3.55 AVERAGE
funny
informative
medium-paced
I wish I'd read this book sooner! It's the whole reason I am able to sit here on my couch in a quiet house and write this review instead of being up in my daughter's room being a human pacifier for about 2 hours, trying to get her to take a nap. Since I read the sections on her "E.A.S.Y." system, we've been able to get her to go down for naps much quicker and easier and without requiring us to rock her or pace or nurse, etc. Now we watch for the signs she's getting tired, make sure she's got a dry diaper & a full tummy, put her in her sleep sack & darken her room, read a story if she's not too far gone already, and put her down. She usually gives a protest cry for a couple of minutes and then conks out. Sometimes she just conks out. It's fantastic!! I do have to admit, though, that I don't always stick to "E.A.S.Y." (Eat Activity Sleep You-time). Often it's more like E.A.E.S.Y. or A.E.A.S.Y., but the main thing is that we watch for those tell-tale yawns now.
I do have a couple of cautions about the book, however. First, it's a little unclear whether Ms. Hogg expects her audience to read the book before or after the baby is born. She talks a lot about getting to know your baby as an individual, which you can't do until s/he is externally visible, but once the baby is born, you have zero time or energy for reading until long after she suggests you start following her guidelines. So my recommendation is to read it before the baby comes and then refer back to specific sections after your little darling starts making his or her personality known.
My next caution has to do with the accuracy of some of the science, namely regarding breastfeeding and breast milk. I very much appreciate that Ms. Hogg doesn't want any mother to feel badly about her decision to give her baby formula versus nursing and/or pumping, but in the 14 years since this book was first published, there have indeed been scientific studies that indicate breastfeeding is better for both mother and baby. It's not the end of the world if you have to use formula exclusively or supplementally, but it is preferable to breastfeed if you can.
And finally, my last, and definitely least, quibble is with the overuse of the word "luv." It seems to be intended to make the book feel more folksy and less like an expert telling you what to do, but about 90% of the instances should have been cut with a lovely editor's pen. They really started to grate on my nerves.
Bottom line, though: a good choice for expectant parents who want to be able to eat, sleep, and shower, not to mention read a book or watch Downton Abbey ever again. You might even want to buy this one and put it on your parenting resources shelf to refer back to now and again.
I do have a couple of cautions about the book, however. First, it's a little unclear whether Ms. Hogg expects her audience to read the book before or after the baby is born. She talks a lot about getting to know your baby as an individual, which you can't do until s/he is externally visible, but once the baby is born, you have zero time or energy for reading until long after she suggests you start following her guidelines. So my recommendation is to read it before the baby comes and then refer back to specific sections after your little darling starts making his or her personality known.
My next caution has to do with the accuracy of some of the science, namely regarding breastfeeding and breast milk. I very much appreciate that Ms. Hogg doesn't want any mother to feel badly about her decision to give her baby formula versus nursing and/or pumping, but in the 14 years since this book was first published, there have indeed been scientific studies that indicate breastfeeding is better for both mother and baby. It's not the end of the world if you have to use formula exclusively or supplementally, but it is preferable to breastfeed if you can.
And finally, my last, and definitely least, quibble is with the overuse of the word "luv." It seems to be intended to make the book feel more folksy and less like an expert telling you what to do, but about 90% of the instances should have been cut with a lovely editor's pen. They really started to grate on my nerves.
Bottom line, though: a good choice for expectant parents who want to be able to eat, sleep, and shower, not to mention read a book or watch Downton Abbey ever again. You might even want to buy this one and put it on your parenting resources shelf to refer back to now and again.
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
I read this when Lili was a newborn and it was so helpful in helping me to better understand Lili (especially the part about the different cries). SUPER helpful for new parents! I read it again with Lucas and didn't find it as insightful, but still a good refresher.
I listened to the 2.5 hr abridged version of the audiobook. What she says is worth a shot. I don't see the harm in trying it.
This holds up surprisingly well considered it was published about 18 years ago. It's told in a very conversational (northern England dialect) style, which may not appeal to everyone, but didn't bother me. Who cares how it's said when it can help you get your kid to sleep through the night? A lot of the information here is going to help me prepare for the baby, but I suspect I'll want to buy a copy later on to have on hand once she's here.
I wish I'd read this book before my baby was 8 weeks old. Great tips and insight into how to understand and connect with your baby.
This is one of the only parenting books I read when I had my daughter. The information was useful, and actually pretty right on.
A few parts of this book are dated and at first I found the author's voice off-putting, but by the end of the first chapter I found being called "luv" oddly soothing and her advice logical and helpful.