Book Description
Through their thoughtful and accurate balance of developmental, clinical-diagnostic, and experimental approaches to child and adolescent psychopathology, Eric Mash and David Wolfe's ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY remains the most authoritative, scholarly book in today's abnormal child psychology market. Appropriate for novice and expert alike, this book traces the developmental course of each disorder and shows how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors interact with a child's environment. This MEDIA EDITION gives students a chance to see how troubled children behave in their homes, in their schools, and in their communities, reinforcing the author's commitment to providing students with access to real children in their natural settings. Through the power of CengageNOW, students now have access to an unparalleled personal learning system.Since one of the best ways to introduce students to a particular problem of childhood or adolescence is to first describe a real child, the authors begin each chapter with engaging first-person accounts and case histories of a child with a particular disorder. This child is then referred to throughout the entire chapter, illustrating the categorical and dimensional approaches used to describe disorders, as well as bringing life to the theories Mash and Wolfe present. Embracing today's world with leading-edge coverage of the DSM-IV-TR and dimensional approaches to classification, Mash and Wolfe's comprehensive introduction covers many topics: evidence-based assessment and treatment, contemporary research and cutting-edge theories related to the predominantly inattentive ADHD subtype, early-onset and the developmental propensity model of conduct disorder, the triple vulnerability model of anxiety, the tripartite model in children, depression, and autism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent Servicing
The book was delivered timely and in very good condition.Most Chapters had information highlights which was an advantage for me.

Abnormal Child Psycology? Blaa to it...
This book may contatin alot of useful information. I am a second year student in the Child And Youth Worker program, and it cost me about $140, for about $50 of use...alot of the information in this book was new to me, and I did learn alot, but having said that, the only reason I bought it was because it was mandatory.This book is the most boring piece of crap I have had to read thus far in my program. Facts left and right, but little connection in the actual paragraphs. All connections made are in blurbs about other people's storys. And even those a weak at best. I recomend NOT buying this book. Waste of money and time. If you in college and you need to buy it, show your prof. these two reviews, then refuse to buy it yourself :)

An excellent book, I use it for my classes
I use this text for my undergrad and grad classes. The information is complete and has great breadth. My undergraduates have found this to be a great resource for information on classes of disorders and on specific disorders.It is easy to read, without being simplistic.The pedagogical features (e.g., sidebars, pictures, etc.) are a matter for personal choice.I personally feel they are distracting, but my undergraduate students like them and say that they are helpful.

For years, I have included it as a supplement in my graduate class on child behavior disorders.The primary text was 'Mash and Barkely's Child Psychopathology'.M&B is very dense, but very complete. I recently made this text (M&W,the one being reviewed) the primary and M&B the supplemental.I can supply enough primary source articles to cover the technicalities, but like the way this (M&W) covers the basics.

In summary:This text is a near perfect tool for undergrads and can be used for graduates, if accompanied by good primary source articles.

Great Content; Bad Layout
The content of this book is unsurpassed. The research and breadth of topics covered is phenomenal. The writing is layman and very easy to read.

That being said, the book as a textbook stinks. There are too many pictures, sidebars, subheaders, etc... It's hard to read about a topic when there are interruptions on every page that are interestingbut not entirely needed. Each section lasts for about a page, so assigning reading is difficult.

DO NOT BUY!

First-rate resource for student and practitioner alike.
A first-rate resource that looks at child and adolescent psychopathology that looks at pathology from a developmental, clinical, diagnostic, and experimental perspective. Sections discuss abnormal child psychology, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, developmental and learning disorders, and problems related to physical and mental health.

This book is logically formatted, easy to understand, yet deep enough to take student and practitioner alike to the next level in their understanding of child and adolescent psychopathology. ... Read more

Book Description
This updated version of a classic text incorporates the most significant research findings since the original publication of the Fifth edition.A textbook by respected authors E. Mavis Hetherington, Ross D. Parke and Virginia Otis-Locke, Child Psychology, 5e Update utilizes a topical organization to reflect research-based findings about the central processes that account for developmental shifts within different topical domains of development. A variety of theoretical viewpoints are examined to provide students with a well balanced view of a child’s developmental process.The most current studies and research available provide students with an understanding of the principal topics of child psychology as well as an up-to-date review of recent trends in socially relevant problem areas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

child psychology book
this book has mach info and the cd-rom and powerweb help to understand the book more ... Read more

Book Description
In this comprehensive overview, readers will gain a better understanding of the various theories, perspectives, and research that characterize contemporary themes in child development. The book uses a contextual approach to examine the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional foundations of child development. Special attention is paid throughout to the contexts in which development occurs, including families and the larger culture, and how these intersect with our changing society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

PSY Class
Simple textbook for undergrads to use in class. Easy to understand but contains useful information. Great for Education, and Psy majors and those going into social work. ... Read more

Book Description
This book gives readers a systematic look at the process of child psychology by examining the twenty most revolutionary scientific investigations in the field over the course of the last fifty years. The individual chapters are dedicated to each revolutionary study and derived from empirical data and scientific methodology.A four-part organization examines studies that revolutionized cognitive and language development, social development and parenting, clinical child psychology, and how we think about child psychology.For those with a professional or personal interest in child and human development. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I highly suggest this as an intro
I'm a developmental psychologist teaching at University of Washington in Tacoma.I've used this book as a resource for my students who want to do a directed reading with me.I find that it is a very useful resource to introduce the reader to seminal research in child psychology and it is written at a level that is perfect for someone who isn't very proficient at reading scientfic literature.I highly suggest this book to those who want a good overview of the fundamental theories of child psychology.Though, I have to say that I wish it would have tried to give more credit to the philosophy of behaviorism which is crucial to our understanding of child psychology. ... Read more

Book Description
This second edition of the hugely successful Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology incorporates important advances in the field to provide a reliable and accessible source of practical advice.

Beginning with a set of general conceptual frameworks for practice, the book gives specific guidance on the management of problems commonly encountered in clinical work with children and adolescents, drawing on best practice in the fields of clinical psychology and family therapy. In six sections, thorough and comprehensive coverage of the following areas is provided:
· Frameworks for practice
· Problems of Infancy and Early Childhood
· Problems of Middle Childhood
· Problems in Adolescence
· Child Abuse
· Adjustment to Major Life Transitions
Each chapter dealing with specific clinical problems includes detailed discussion of diagnosis, classification, epistemology and clinical features, as well as illustrative case examples.

This book will be invaluable both as a reference work for experienced practitioners, and an up-to-date, evidence-based practice manual for clinical psychologists in training.

The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology is one of a set of three handbooks published by Routledge, which includes The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology (Edited by Alan Carr & Muireann McNulty) and The Handbook of Intellectual Disability and Clinical Psychology Practice (Edited by Alan Carr, Gary OReilly, Patricia Noonan Walsh and John McEvoy). ... Read more

Book Description
This second edition of Child Psychology: A Handbook of Contemporary Issues reflects the increasingly sophisticated and varied research methods used to examine the highly complex interactions contributing to children's cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Those chapters that appeared in the previous edition have been thoroughly updated and new chapters by outstanding researchers have been introduced. In addition, there is an entirely new section on Adolescence and thorough coverage of salient Ecological Influences, which make this second edition a truly comprehensive resource on the important issues in child psychology.
The volume is divided into five sections - Infancy, Preschool Years, Childhood, Adolescence, and Ecological Influences - which:
* Describe the nature of development and individual variations in developmental trajectories across multiple domains
* Identify the processes and mechanisms underlying developmental and contextual change
* Explore the varied contexts in which development unfolds, including family, school, neighborhood, and culture
* Apply cutting-edge research designs, methodologies, and analytic approaches to models of development
The volume provides an invaluable and practical resource for students and instructors on a wide variety of courses, and for researchers and professionals working in the field of child development. ... Read more

Book Description
Now in its second edition, this comprehensive book explores developmental psychopathology as a means for understanding and treating abnormal behavior in children. It covers the strengths and healthy outcomes as a means for designing effective therapies to help children and families, while also focusing on prevention as a cornerstone of managing child behavior. Special attention is also given to issues of diversity, inclusion, and understanding. ... Read more

Book Description
This updated version of a classic text incorporates the most significant research findings since the original publication of the Fifth edition.A textbook by respected authors E. Mavis Hetherington, Ross D. Parke and Virginia Otis-Locke, Child Psychology, 5e Update utilizes a topical organization to reflect research-based findings about the central processes that account for developmental shifts within different topical domains of development. A variety of theoretical viewpoints are examined to provide students with a well balanced view of a child’s developmental process.The most current studies and research available provide students with an understanding of the principal topics of child psychology as well as an up-to-date review of recent trends in socially relevant problem areas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

child psychology book
this book has mach info and the cd-rom and powerweb help to understand the book more ... Read more

Book Description
The definitive presentation of Piaget's developmental psychology, this comprehensive synthesis traces each stage of the child's cognitive development from infancy to adolescence. ... Read more

Book Description
This authoritative four-volume reference spans the entire field of child development and has set the standard against which all other scholarly references are compared. Updated and revised to reflect the new developments in the field, the Sixth Edition is sure to be as successful as the previous editions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Indispensable
Indispensable

As a doctoral student in clinical psych with a focus on children I have found this set to not only be well worth the hefty price tag but to have saved me $ since any and everything (from attachment theory to neuro) that I have needed info on was covered in depth and by the giants in each respective arena.BUY IT if it overlaps with your interests!It will become the first place you look for anything relating to child psych.It is technical and scholarly in detail so it's not for the layperson but for students and psychs alike. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is a topically organized introduction to child development from conception to adolescence. It examines child psychology from the perspectives of the three principal traditions which characterize the discipline today-the cognitive-developmental, environmental-learning and ethological orientations. Emphasizes the very latest issues and findings including the microgenetic research method, gene therapy, the social bases of early memory and family contributions to peer relations. This new edition includes a greater integration of contextual material, and an increased emphasis on cross- and multi-cultural research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A very comprehensive book
This is the first time I use Vasta' book on Child Psychology for the course on Developmental Psychology I give at the American University of Beirut. The semester just finished, and I can say this book was extremely enriching for me (I am a clinical psychologist), especially the parts on the bio-ecological perspective, and the sections on cross-cultural research. The one part I found a bit "exhausting" was the chapter on language development, perhaps because it is not my specialty ! I am looking forward to the 4th edition. I wouldalso very much like to be in touch with Dr Vasta because I am currently working on a study of Personality Characteristics of First - Borns in Lebanon, using a cultural approach. I also wish to thank Wiley for sending methe 2004 catalogue ofPsychology, Life and Medical Sciences Student Texts (that is how I found out about Vasta's 4th edition). My students (a majority of Psychology majors) also enjoyed his book.

A former student comments
I utilized the second edition of this book while studying under Dr. Vasta at SUNY Brockport. This book, along with his teachings gives insight intothe various steps that a child goes through in becoming aware of his or hersurroundings and growth.

This book is extremly educational
Being a new parent this book helped me to understand the development of my daughter. It covered conception all the way through 12 years of age.I found this book very interesting to read. I liked how each of the earlypsychologist works were clearly defined and explained to you. I felt thisbook was very easy to read and understand. ... Read more

Book Description
The increasing focus on children's welfare has given rise to tremendous growth in the field of child psychology, and the past decade has witnessed significant advances in research in this area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Highly recommended for pediatric clinical workers.
I am writing about the 3rd edition, which is the most current volume.The only disappointment that I have about this text is that I did not obtain it much earlier.The chapters are well written with many references for further study.The practitioner can keep abreast of the current literature on topics that s/he may already be familiar, or obtain authoritive information about other clinical areas not part of one's regular practice.This text is not written in the style of a dictionary, that is, the reader is given a summary in the style and length of a journal article.The book compliments the older volumes of the American Handbook of Psychiatry for which I have still found much use.

I also give strong recommendation for the Social Worker's Desk Reference that is available on Amazon.This latter book is a 2002 text that for some disorders gives a better summary than the Handbook.The Desk Reference is of value regardless of one's clinical license.

Is it worth it?
The strength of the book is that it summarizes the main issues on assessment and treatment quite well. Certainly worthwhile for a quick reference to current opinion on topics but if you're after the finer detail of theory this may not be your book and you might want to try "Child Psychopathology" by Mash & Barkley. The question to ask is, is this book worth $170USD new? If you don't mind spending this money then the book is a useful addition to a professional library for advanced students and professionals.

Handbook of clinical child psychology
This is indeed the "Bible" for the clinical child psychologist. As a pediatrician, who through all my professional life have worked closely with child psychologists, permit me to review this very serious and professional handbook. It is edited by C Eugene Walker from Oklahoma and Michael C Roberts from Kansas with 114 contributors (all from United States). The first edition of the handbook was published 18 years ago and it has since turned into a reference and guide for students, adademics and clinicians in the field. The book is divided into seven sections with a total of 55 chapters. The first section deals with child development and the first chapter with families and children in history with a focus on American history, but I especially liked the chapter by Judith A Chafel and Kathryn Gold Hadley on poverty and well-being of children and their families. This is a new addition to this edition, but a very important one. Poverty and hunger are old phenomena, but only recently become a subject of research and interest to politicians. They should be interested, because poverty is a major public health problem in many developed countries. Data from 1996 in the United States estimate that 20.5% of the children were living in poverty. This well researched paper will give you information on definition of poverty, effects on development, health and psychosocial risks, resiliency and implications for clinical intervention. Section two provides different diagnostic assessments of children and adolescents, section three deals with problems of early life and clinical problems of birth, neonatology, infant and preschool period and section four about problems of childhood. This last section has 16 chapters with some interesting entries. I especially liked the chapter on mental retardation, which takes into account the 1992 American Association on Mental Retardation (AMMR) definition of mental retardation, where not only IQ, but multidimential classification was used as a novel way to look upon mental retardation. I would have liked an entry on the use of the word "mental retardation", which is very much debated (sometimes very hotly like at the last international conference in Seattle in August 2000) and at all not in use in many parts of the world, where instead the term "intellectual disability" is preferred. Section five has nine relevant chapters on adolescence, but I would like to see a chapter on teenage pregnancy in the next edition, because that is especially a problem in United States and United Kingdom, where we are talking about potential psychological risks for the next generation also. Section six conveys intervention strategies with good chapters on hospitalization and pharmacotherapy among others. The last section has special topics like cultural issues, divorce, grief, ethics and forensic evaluation. The chapter on impact of a parent chronic illness is very interesting and I would also suggest a chapter on chronic illness or disability in the child for the next edition. This topic is mentioned in another chapter (on contemporary issues), but deserves a full chapter. The words disability and intellectual disability are not mentioned even in the index. In this section I especially like the chapter on child maltreatment by Barbara L Bonner and collegues, which is a good review of the field of child abuse and neglect, but again the focus in on the United States and international work in the field not mentioned. A chapter on research in child psychology and the use of internet should be added for the next edition. The effects of the internet on children and adolescents should also be added. We recently had a case here in Israel, where an internet connection between two adolescents (a Jewish male and Arab female) were used by terrorists to capture and murder the 14 year old boy. I would have liked to see a section eight with chapters on the future of infancy, childhood and adolescence both in the United States, but also a chapter on international work and research in the field of child psychology. All in all a very positive review for a very useful handbook that can be used by both psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and physicians and thanks for a good editing job. It was a pleasure to read and use this handbook.

Professor Joav Merrick, MD, DMSc Medical Director, Division for Mental Retardation, Box 1260, IL-91012 Jerusalem, Israel. E-mail: jmerrick@aquanet.co.il

An Important Text on Clinical Child Psychology
Although this text could use a new edition, it remains one of the more complete collections of reviews of literature in the clinical dhild psychology. The Handbook of Clinical Child Psychology stands as thestandard reference guide for practitioners, students, professors, andresearchers in the field, and likely will until it is replaced with a thirdedition. ... Read more

Book Description

The long-awaited revision of the bestselling and definitive child care manual from the internationally renowned Gesell Institute of Human Behavior.

Since it was first published, Child Behavior has become classic reading for parents and professionals around the world. This authoritative guide offers the basics of child development, addressing exactly how children's bodies can affect their behavior. The authors not only discuss what to do to treat specific behavior problems but actually advise parents on how, in many instances, they can prevent many common and more serious problems. The authors' practical, accessible advice covers a variety of issues including:

• Everyday activities such as eating, sleeping, and dreams
• Intelligence and success in school
• Stress and fears
• Relationships with parents and siblings
• Discipline
• Talking about difficult subjects such as religion, death, adoption, and divorce
• What to do if further help is needed, with a full explanation of diagnostic tests and treatments

Customer Reviews (12)

Good info but outdated.
I must admit when I started reading this book I was impressed at just how accurate some of the information was.I was a bit dissappointed with a couple of chapters but overall not bad.Please keep in mind the most current reference this book has is dated 1980.Much of the language is directly out of the 1950's.Just the sentence structure and terms for wet and dirty diapers for instance.Its time for this book to be updated with newer books for parents to turn to.

Excellent book in great condition.
The book arrived quickly and in good condition. Just what I want from a bookseller.

Not so great
This book is a bit disappointing. It reads like a horoscope and lacks substance, findings from research, stories about actual children and useful advice.

A must have
This book is the best of its kind, and the only one that sums up the stages of development.Thanks goodness it is back in print.There are a few slightly dated bits, but most of the work by Ilg and Ames is timeless.You MUST have this book while raising your children, if only to be aware of the alternating inner and outer periods of disequilbrium and how they manifest.This book helps you keep being the grownup, because it gives you such a good overview of child development.

Excellent Time-Tested Book (i.e. proven through generation after generation)
I thought that I might not like this book, since my wise nutritionist (the only nutritionist I know locally who has a PhD and degrees from several top-notch universities) recommended it...a grandmother.For some reason, the age diffence bothered me.So, I purchased a used book from Amazon due to my skepticism.But, the book turned out to be time-tested afterall.The authors mentioned early on in the book that children's behavioral cycle can shift on the age time-line, but that the order of the cycles are quite stable.I'm assuming that it depends on whether a child is more or less advance than his/her peers and what environmental issues are involved (i.e. parents getting a divorce, moving to a new location, switching schools, etc...). I've found the cycles to be quite accurate so far.

I love the feeling of knowing what my kids are going through are a perfectly normal behavioral stages in their lives and that they will grow in and out of them.I feel calmer knowing rather than stressing over things that my kids do.My daughter is shy/reserved one year (i.e. won't volunteer during circle time or stand up when it's her turn for show and tell) and a major risk-taker who's outgoing the next (i.e. will run around the neighborhood ringing doorbells and phoning friends out to play).I guess God made us that way to balance us out (i.e. to prepare us to be more balanced adults.Otherwise, we'd be stuck either as super shy or as a major risk-taker if we are not allowed by our parents to try out both ends of the spectrum to get to that equilibrium.

... Read more

Book Description
Introducing Child Psychology is for all those who want to find out what psychology can tell us about the nature and development of children.

• A non-technical introduction for all those who want to find out what psychology can tell us about the nature and development of children.
  
• Presents the major topics of child development investigated by psychologists.
  
• Pays particular attention to the most recent research findings.
  
• Consistently relates psychological knowledge to practical situations, showing what psychology has to offer in real life situations involving children.
  
• Learning is supported by study boxes, summaries, definitions and suggestions for further reading.

Amazon.com
When your child isn't sleeping, chances are that you aren't either.Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems--a tired parent's essential for morethan 10 years--offers valuable advice and concrete help when lullabies aren'tenough to lull your child into dreamland. Based on Ferber's research as thedirector of Boston's Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children'sHospital, the book is a practical, easy-to-understand guide to common sleepingproblems for children ages one to six. Detailed case histories on night waking,difficulty sleeping, and more serious disorders such as sleep apnea andsleepwalking help illustrate a wide variety of problems and their solutions. Newparents will benefit from Ferber's proactive advice on developing good sleepingpatterns and daily schedules to ensure that sleeping problems don't develop inthe first place. You'll also find a bibliography of children's books on bedtime,sleep, and dreaming, as well as a list of helpful organizations. Here's a bookthat is sure to put you and your whole family to sleep--in this case, that's agood thing. Book Description
Does your child

• Have difficulty falling asleep?
• Wake in the middle of the night?
• Suffer sleep terrors, sleepwalking, or nighttime fears?
• Have difficulty waking for school or staying awake in class?
• Snore, wet the bed, or head bang?

In the first major revision of his bestselling, groundbreaking classic since it was published twenty years ago, Dr. Richard Ferber, the nation's foremost authority on children's sleep problems, delivers safe, sound ideas for helping your child fall and stay asleep at night and perform well during the day.

Incorporating new research, Dr. Ferber provides important basic information that all parents should know regarding the nature of sleep and the development of normal sleep and body rhythms throughout childhood. He discusses the causes of most sleep problems from birth to adolescence and recommends an array of proven solutions for each so that parents can choose the strategy that works best for them. Topics covered in detail include:

• Bedtime difficulties and nighttime wakings
• Effective strategies for naps
• Sleep schedule abnormalities
• A balanced look at co-sleeping
• New insights into the nature of sleep terrors and sleepwalking
• Problems in setting limits
• Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, bed-wetting, and head banging

Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems offers priceless advice and concrete help for a whole new generation of anxious, frustrated, and overtired parents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (393)

4.5 Month old now sleeping 10 hours at night, no crying
I have two children and with my first baby, I never let him cry.But now with the new baby I wasn't getting enough sleep to function during the day. So I bought this book and tried the method.I started this when he was 3.5 months old.It took only a few days to make a huge difference.Now when I put him down at night he goes to sleep with no crying! It's a life saver!Also if you don't want to try this method, this book is still good to have for the other info in it.There is a lot of good info on sleep terrors, napping, etc.

Changed our lives
I read an earlier edition of this book in 1998 when my daughter was just a few weeks old.

It is rare when I can say that a book changed my life.But this book did for myself, my wife and our daughter. Within three days of starting the program, we were able to give our child (and ourselves) the gift of good sleeping and of happily going to bed.The effects last to this day, nine years later.

The author has done a great deal of research on sleep, and so comes to the problem as a sleep specialist instead of as a pediatrician (though he works with pediatricians).The theory and techniques presented in the book are based on extremely solid and detailed research.The chief notion used (other than the importance of sleep for so many other things) is the "sleep association". What this understanding leads to is that the people need to sleep in the same environment in which they initially fall asleep.This means that a child shouldn't fall asleep in your arms or while feeding and then be smuggled off to a crib.That is what we had done prior to reading this book.

The actual program pulls at your heart stings to actually do it.But it is not, as some reviewers suggest, "cry it out".Do it.What you are giving to your child is wonderful.After only three nights our child changed from being a cranky baby to an extremely happy one.Later she would sing herself to sleep and when she woke up in the middle of the night, we would hear her singing again and happily go back to sleep.

I haven't looked at the revised edition.The edition that we read may lack some of the "user friendliness" of many parenting books.But if you don't need cute little pictures and big friendly letters, that shouldn't be a problem.

Worked for me, in 2 days
I got myself mentally ready for this method for a few days before I tried it.I memorized each detail so it would work like clockwork.I, like many parents, don't like listening to my baby scream.When I was ready, we did the Ferber method, and in 2 nights my son was sleeping at least 8 or 9 hours a night.The key for me was reminding myself that babies are different emotionally from adults.If you heard an adult screaming and wailing like I heard my son screaming and wailing, you would assume that they were having surgery without anesthesia, or lost a loved one.Most adults don't make that kind of racket to protest a change in routine.Babies, however, have no other way to communicate.They sound like they are experiencing trauma because they only know one way to protest.That's why, in my opinion, it's better to deal with the sleeping problem before the child is a more nuanced thinker.This way, before baby is a willful, mobile toddler, you already have the system that works for you in place.If having the baby in bed with you or rocking to sleep works for you, than go with it!If not, than give this book a try.If it works, it's a lifesaver.

My only complaint with the book is that it didn't address the question of naps enough.I had a lot of trouble getting my son to nap.Now that he is walking, he tires himself out a lot faster and I can get him to nap, but I could have used some guidance from this book.All in all though, an interesting book, with a lot of informative stuff about baby sleep cycles.

The Answer to Our Prayers
Like many parents, we were at our wits end trying to get our 8 month old to take naps or go to bed. While she often slept okay through the night besides waking up to feed, bedtime was a long, drawn out, hour long affair filled with stress. We faced each night with dread trying to rock and soothe her till she was out. Naptimes were unheard of.

We tried "crying it out" by just letting her scream, but that only made matters worse. Finally I decided I was fed up with relying on second hand information and misguided Internet gossip to try and solve our problems. It seemed like everybody who'd ever so much as looked at a baby assumed they must be an expert. So we picked up this book.

The first thing I could say was that I was surprised at the length. Everyone who'd ever mentioned this book simply truncated it's contents into "let them cry a few minutes then come back and do it all over again". I think I expected it to be 10 pages long. :P

What I got was a long book filled with the actual facts and information about infants and their sleep cycles that I had been desperately searching for. Doctor Ferber references many examples from his years of experience helping families solve their children's sleep problems in the actual medical facility he has worked through. He references so many different issues that families could have that I had no problem finding examples and situations which applied to our baby, along with specific solutions and OPTIONS for how to treat them. We will be holding onto this book for a long time, as it guides good sleep habits well into the teenage years.

All I can say is, thank God for this book!

Much-needed advice for an all-night nursing baby!
I live in an all-natural, Attachment Parenting town in Vermont where Ferber is a bad word, and "Ferberizing" your child is seen as equivalent to abuse.Before reading this book, I too thought of Dr. Ferber as "The Sleep Nazi."However, I turned to his expertise in desperation when my second baby was nursing every hour or two all night long at six months old.I was on the brink of sanity and needed some concrete help about how to change her sleep habits.This book is well-written, organized and researched, and Dr Ferber is much more mild than I expected given his reputation.His plan of "controlled crying" can be adapted according to parents' and children's needs and temperaments.Within 4 days my six-month old was sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night-- a huge improvement.And this was without following his plan to the letter (ie. being much more soft-hearted!).If you are struggling with sleep, give Dr. Ferber a chance. ... Read more