Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

All Available Formats + Editions

——

$7.99

NOOK Book

——

$7.99

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (eBook) Pub. Date: 6/1/2001 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
$0.01

$9.14

Paperback

$0.01

$9.14

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (First Trade Edition) Pub. Date: 1/29/2002 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

$0.61

$7.99

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (Mass Market Paperback - Reprint) Pub. Date: 7/26/2005 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
$0.01

$14.30

Hardcover

$0.01

$14.30

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby Pub. Date: 1/1/1901 Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
$1.02

$17.05

Audiobook

$1.02

$17.05

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (Cassette - Abridged, 2 Cassettes) Pub. Date: 1/28/2002 Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

$13.78

$21.33

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby (CD - Abridged, 2 CDs) Pub. Date: 1/28/2001 Publisher: HighBridge Company

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

Advertising

Overview

It's an insidious myth that all new parents must give up not only their sleep but their entire lives for the first year of a baby's life. Codswallop, says British-born Tracy Hogg. Having worked with more than five thousand babies over the past twenty years, and dubbed "The Baby Whisperer" by her grateful clientele, Tracy has the unique ability to understand a baby's every coo and cry. She can tell instantly whether a baby is hungry, tired, in real distress, or just in need of a little TLC. But her most amazing gift is her ability to teach parents how they too can "whisper" to their babies.

In this groundbreaking book, Tracy concentrates her vast knowledge (and huge doses of uncommon sense) into simple, accessible programs that parents can begin as early as the first weeks of a baby's life. With these programs you will learn

¸ E.A.S.Y.--how to get baby to eat, play, and sleep on a schedule that will make every member of the household's life easier and happier.

¸ S.L.O.W.--how to interpret what your baby is trying to tell you (so you don't try to feed him when he really wants a nap).

¸ How to identify which type of baby yours is--Angel, Textbook, Touchy, Spirited, or Grumpy--and then learn the best way to interact with that type.

¸ Tracy's Three Day Magic--how to change any and all bad habits (yours and the baby's) in just three days.

But perhaps the most important part of Tracy's philosophy is contained in one word: respect. Tracy advises treating your baby as you would any human being--think twice before shaking loud toys in a baby's face, lifting a baby's legs over her head with no advance warning, or even letting a baby cry it out. At the heart of Tracy'ssimple but profound message: treat the baby as you would like to be treated yourself.

Reassuring, down-to-earth, and often flying in the face of conventional wisdom, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer promises parents not only a healthier, happier baby but a more relaxed and happy household as well.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Focusing on the need to incorporate a new baby into the family's routine, and emphasizing that parents should treat babies like people rather than little gurgling things, "Baby Whisperer" Tracy Hogg provides a wonderful primer for parents interested in fully understanding their babies' unspoken needs. Because, as Hogg explains, although all your baby's cries might sound the same at first, with a little practice an observant parent will be able distinguish between a cry of hunger, a tired cry, a bored cry, or...well, you parents know how many different cries there are!

Drawing upon her 20 years as a nurse and midwife, Hogg outlines some simple programs that parents can follow to ensure they're meeting their baby's needs but not making mistakes that could result in a difficult and overly demanding child. The E.A.S.Y. program -- which breaks the baby's day into Eating, Activity, Sleeping, and You -- will provide a structured routine that is beneficial for both baby and parents. And by adhering to the S.L.O.W. program -- Stop, Listen, Observe, What's Up? -- babyspeak will quickly become decipherable.

The guiding principle for all the recommendations in Secrets of the Baby Whisperer is respect . In her warm, reassuring, and unmistakably British tone, Hogg encourages readers to get to know their baby as an independent person and to respect his or her needs. But she stresses that this doesn't mean the baby's needs should disrupt the family's rhythm. Following the wisdom of the Baby Whisperer will help establish communication between baby and parent and foster a structure that works for everyone, resulting in happier babies and less frenzied parents who are better able to appreciate their new bundle of joy. (Karen Burns)

Library Journal

Hogg, an English nurse and founder of Baby Technique, a Los Angeles-based newborn and lactation consulting firm, has a way of calming and caring for babies that led one of her clients to dub her "the baby whisperer." In this, her first book, she teaches parents how to decipher "infants' language"--their cries, gestures, and facial expressions. Her E.A.S.Y. (eat, activity, sleep, your time) method offers a relaxed, commonsense approach. Every aspect of care for mom and baby is covered, with interesting charts and clear references. There are many good books on baby care, such as Arlene Eisenberg and others' What To Expect the First Year (LJ 6/1/89), Jodi A Mindell's Sleeping Through the Night (LJ 6/1/97), and, of course, Dr. Spock's oeuvre, but this book possesses unusual tenderness and heart, and it respects babies as people, albeit little ones. For all public libraries and any parenting shelf, this is the perfect gift for a new mom and family.--Annette V. Janes, Hamilton P.L., MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780345440907
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication date: 1/29/2002
Edition description: First Trade Edition
Edition number: 1
Pages: 304
Sales rank: 31,754
Product dimensions: 5.46 (w) x 8.21 (h) x 0.65 (d)

Meet the Author

Tracy Hogg obtained her nursing degree in England, specializing in maternity and neonatal care. Her uncanny ability to understand and calm babies led to her nickname "The Baby Whisperer." In 1997, she founded Baby Technique, through which she consults with parents individually, organizes and teaches group classes, and provides nanny training and referrals. She is the mother of two daughters. Tracy Hogg died of melanoma in November 2004.
You can visit her web site at www.babywhisperer.com.

Melinda Blau is an award-winning journalist specializing in family and health topics. She is the author of seven other books, including Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers, and countless magazine articles. The mother of two grown children, she lives in Northhampton, Massachusetts.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One: Loving the Baby You Gave Birth To

I just can't get over how much babies cry. I really had no idea what I was getting into. To tell you the truth, I thought it would be more like getting a cat.
--Anne Lamott in Operating Instructions

Oh My God, We Have a Baby!

No event in an adult's life equals both the joy and the terror of becoming a parent for the first time. Fortunately, it's the joy that carries on. But in the beginning, insecurity and fear often take over. Alan, for example, a thirty-three-year-old graphic designer, vividly remembers the day he picked up his wife, Susan, from the hospital. Coincidentally, it was their fourth anniversary. Susan, a writer, age twenty-seven, had had a fairly easy labor and birth, and their beautiful blue-eyed baby, Aaron, nursed easily and rarely cried. By day two, Mum and Dad were eager to leave the hubbub of the hospital to start life as a family.

"I whistled as I walked down the hall toward her room," Alan recalls. "Everything seemed perfect. Aaron had nursed right before I got there, and now he was sleeping in Susan's arms. It was just as I imagined it would be. We went down in the elevator, and the nurse let me wheel Susan out into the sunlight. When I ran for the car door, I realized I'd forgotten to set up the infant seat. I swear it took me half an hour to get it in right. Finally, I gently slid Aaron in. He was such an angel. I helped Susan into the car, thanked the nurse for her patience, and then climbed into the driver's seat.

"Suddenly, Aaron started making little noises from the backseat--not really crying, but sounds I didn't recall hearing in the hospital or maybe hadn't noticed. Susan looked at me, and I looked at her. 'Oh, Jesus!' I exclaimed. 'What do we do now?'"

Every parent I know has a what-now moment like Alan's. For some it comes in the hospital; for others it arrives on the trip home, or even on the second or third day. There's so much going on--the physical recovery, the emotional impact, the reality of caring for a helpless infant. Few are prepared for the shock. Some new mothers admit, "I read all the books, but nothing prepared me." Others recall, "There was so much to think about. I cried a lot."

The first three to five days are often the most difficult because everything is new and daunting. Typically, I'm bombarded by queries from anxious parents: "How long should a feeding take?" "Why does she pull her legs up like that?" "Is this the right way to change him?" "Why is her poop that color?" And, of course, the most persistent question of all time: "Why is he crying?" Parents, particularly mums, often feel guilty because they think they're supposed to know everything. The mother of a one-month-old said to me, "I was so afraid I'd do something wrong, but at the same time, I didn't want anyone to help me or tell me what to do."

The first thing I tell parents--and keep telling them--is to slooooooow down. It takes time to get to know your baby. It takes patience and a calm environment. It takes strength and stamina. It takes respect and kindness. It takes responsibility and discipline. It takes attention and keen observation. It takes time and practice--a lot of doing it wrong before you get it right. And it takes listening to your own intuition.

Notice how often I repeat "it takes." In the beginning, there's a lot of "take" and very little "give" on your baby's part. The rewards and joys of parenting will be endless, I promise. But they won't happen in a day, darlings; rather, you'll see them over months and years. What's more, everyone's experience is different. As a mother in one of my groups, looking back on her first few days home, observed, "I didn't know if I was doing things right--and, besides, everyone defines 'right' differently."

Also, every baby is different, which is why I tell my mums that their first job is to understand the baby they have, not the one they dreamed about during the past nine months. In this chapter, I'll help you figure out what you can expect from your baby. But first, a quick primer on your first few days at home.

Coming Home

Because I see myself as an advocate for the whole family, not just the new baby, part of my job is to help parents gain perspective. I tell mums and dads right from the start: This won't last forever. You will calm down. You will become more confident. You will be the best parent you can be. And at some point, believe it or not, your baby will sleep through the night. For now, though, you must lower your expectations. You'll have good days and not-so-good days; be prepared for both. Don't strive for perfection.

Homecoming Checklist

One of the reasons my babies do well is that everything is ready for them a month before the due date. The more prepared you are and the quieter it is in the beginning, the more time you'll have to observe your baby and to get to know him as the individual he is.

Put sheets on the crib or bassinet.
Set up the changing table. Have everything you need--wipes, diapers, cotton swabs, alcohol--in easy reach.
Have baby's first wardrobe ready. Take everything out of the packages, remove any tags, and wash in a mild detergent that has no bleach.
Stock your refrigerator and freezer. A week or two before you're due, make a lasagna, a shepherd's pie, soups, and other dishes that freeze well. Make sure you have all the staples on hand--milk, butter, eggs, cereal, pet food. You'll eat better and cheaper and avoid frantic trips to the store.
Don't take too much to the hospital. Remember, you'll have several extra bags--and the baby--to bring home.

TIP: The more organized you are before you come home, the happier everyone will be afterward. And if you loosen the tops of bottles and tubes, open boxes, and take all new items out of their packages, you won't have to fiddle with such things with your new baby in hand! (See "Homecoming Checklist" at left.)

I usually need to remind mothers, "It's your first day home--the first you're away from the security of the hospital, where you get help, answers, and relief at the push of a button. Now you're on your own." Of course, a mother is often happy to leave the hospital. The nurses may have been brusque or given her conflicting advice. And the frequent interruptions from hospital personnel and visitors probably made it impossible for her to rest. In any case, by the time most mums come home, they are usually either scared, confused, exhausted, or in pain--or maybe all of the above.

Therefore I advise a slow reentry. When you walk through the door, take a deep, centering breath. Keep it simple. (You'll be hearing that a lot from me.) Think of this as the beginning of a new adventure, and you and your partner as explorers. And by all means, be realistic: The postpartum period is difficult--a rocky terrain. All but a rare few stumble along the way. (More about Mum recuperating during the postpartum period in Chapter 7.)

Believe me, I know that the moment you get home, you'll probably feel overwhelmed. But if you follow my simple homecoming ritual, you're less likely to feel frantic. (Remember, though, this is just a quick orientation. Later on, as indicated, I go into greater detail.)

Start the dialogue by giving your baby a tour of the house. That's right, luv, a tour, as if you're the curator of a museum and she's a distinguished visitor. Remember what I told you about respect: You need to treat your little darling like a human being, as someone who can understand and feel. Granted, she speaks a language you may not yet understand, but it's nevertheless important to call her by name and to make every interaction a dialogue, not a lecture.

So walk around with her in your arms and show her where she's going to live. Talk with her. In a soft, gentle voice, explain each room: "Here's the kitchen. It's where Dad and I cook. This is the bathroom, where we take showers." And so on. You might feel silly. Many new parents are shy when they first start to have a dialogue with their baby. That's okay. Practice, and you'll be amazed at how easy it becomes. Just try to remember that this is a little human being in your arms, a person whose senses are alive, a tiny being who already knows your voice and even what you smell like. While you're walking around, have Dad or Grandma make chamomile tea or another calming beverage. Tea, naturally, is my favorite. Where I come from, the moment a mum gets home, Nelly from next door nips over and puts on a kettle. It's a very English, very civilized tradition, which I've introduced to all my families here. After a nice cuppa, as we call it, you'll want to really explore this glorious creature you've given birth to.

Limit Visitors

Convince all but a few very close relatives and friends to stay away for the first few days. If parents are in from out of town, the greatest thing they can do for you is cook, clean, and run errands. Let them know in a kind way that you'll ask for their help with the baby if you need it, but that you'd like to use this time to get to know your little one on your own.

Give your baby a sponge bath and a feed. (Information and advice about feeding is in Chapter 4, sponge bathing on pages 156-157.) Keep in mind that you're not the only one in shock. Your baby has had quite a journey himself. Imagine, if you will, a tiny human being coming into the bright light of a delivery room. Suddenly, with great speed and force, that little body is rubbed, poked, and pricked by strangers whose voices are unfamiliar. After a few days in a nursery, surrounded by other tiny beings, he then has to travel from the hospital to home. If you adopted him, the trip was probably even longer.

TIP: Hospital nurseries are kept quite warm, almost womblike, so make sure the temperature in the baby's new "woom" is around 72 degrees.

This is a perfect opportunity for you to pore over your miracle of nature. It may be the first time you see your baby naked. Get acquainted with his bits and pieces. Explore each tiny finger and toe. Keep talking with him. Bond with him. Nurse him or give him a bottle. Watch him as he gets sleepy. Start him off right, and allow him to fall asleep in his own crib or bassinet. (I have lots of sleeping tips in Chapter 6.)

"But her eyes are open," protested Gail, a hairdresser whose two-day-old daughter seemed to be staring contentedly at a photo of a baby propped up on the crib bumpers. I had suggested that Gail leave the room and get some rest herself, but Gail said, "She's not asleep yet." I've heard the same protest from many new mums. But I'm going to tell you straightaway that your baby doesn't have to be asleep for you to put her down and walk away from the crib. "Look," I said to her, "Lily's hanging out with her boyfriend. Now you go lie down."

Take Small Bites

You've got a lot on your plate; don't heap on any additional pressures. Rather than being angry at yourself because you haven't gotten the announcements addressed or sent thank-you notes, give yourself a manageable daily goal--say, five instead of forty a day. Prioritize your tasks by creating piles marked "urgent," "do later," and "can wait till I feel better." If you're calm and honest when you assess each chore, you'll be surprised at how much goes in that last pile.

Take a nap. Don't unpack the bags, don't make phone calls, and don't look around the house and think of all the things you've got to get done. You're exhausted. When the baby sleeps, luv, take advantage of it. In fact, you've got one of the great miracles of nature on your side. Babies take a few days to recuperate from the shock of birth. It's not unusual for a one- or two-day-old newborn to sleep for six hours at a stretch, which gives you a little time to recuperate from your own trauma. Beware, though: If your baby seems good as gold, this may be the calm before the storm! He may have absorbed drugs from your system or at the very least is probably tired from squeezing his way through the birth canal, even if you had natural childbirth. He's not quite himself yet, but, as you will read in the pages that follow, his real temperament will soon emerge....

	Foreword	xiii
	Introduction: Becoming the Baby Whisperer	1
Chapter 1	Loving the Baby You Gave Birth To	15
Chapter 2	E.A.S.Y. Does It	38
Chapter 3	S.L.O.W. Down (and Appreciate Your Baby's Language)	64
Chapter 4	The E--Whose Mouth Is It Anyway?	89
Chapter 5	The A--Wake Up and Smell the Nappy	133
Chapter 6	The S--To Sleep, Perchance to Cry	167
Chapter 7	The Y--It's Your Turn	190
Chapter 8	Great Expectations: Special Circumstances and Unforeseen Events	229
Chapter 9	Three-Day Magic: The ABC Cure for Accidental Parenting	251
	Epilogue: Some Final Thoughts	275

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4

( 78 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(33)

4 Star

(16)

3 Star

(15)

2 Star

(9)

1 Star

(5)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines

Tell the world what you think of this product.

Add Recommendations

Your Name: Create a Pen Name or Leave Anonymously

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.

Anonymous

Posted February 11, 2001

Bad Breastfeeding Advice

There is a lot to like about this book (even though constantly being called 'luv' did get old by about page 3)... in many parts there *is* very good advice. Tracy Hogg claims a middle-of-the-road approach to parenting a newborn and I agree with many of her ideas. She does not advocate letting babies cry and communicates overall the belief that parents should respect their babies as the tiny people they are. Overall, there is a lot of comforting stuff in here.
But I have issues with some of her specific advice. First, I find that she's judgmental about attachment parenting in general. I'm no die-hard attachment parent, but I'm no rigid-scheduler either and I totally disagree with her belief that demand feeding, cosleeping and the like teaches a baby bad habits or does not effectively meet their needs. She presumes that if AP doesn't work for some, then it will not work for all and is therefore not even worth trying because you'll end up with a baby with bad habits to break down the road. My experiences with flexibility vs. scheduled routine have been quite different. Gentle transitions from three completely attached newborns to independent individuals without parent-imposed schedules (it's been much more symbiotic than the method Hogg proposes) have worked quite well in our household. While my style may not be right for everyone, it certainly *can* work, something that Hogg fails to recognize. (She believes the 'family bed gives parents short-shrift' without acknowledging that it actually *works* for many.)
Then there is the breastfeeding advice. I am disappointed to see someone who calls herself a lactation consultant try to make such a strong case for formula feeding over breastfeeding. As a mom who has both bottlefed and breastfed (and is still breastfeeding), I agree with Hogg that guilt or judgment has NO place in this decision, but I also feel that she has done a great disservice to moms and babies by understating some very important advantages and benefits of breastfeeding. She explains that 'one can make a good case for either formula-feeding or breastfeeding.' Unfortunately, she never does get around to making the case for breastfeeding.
In this same section, entitled 'Making the Choice,' Hogg has a sidebar on Feeding Fashions. In this small box, where I presume she's trying to show that while breastfeeding is currently 'all the rage,' the tide may turn out of its favor in later years as has happened in the past. (It's not clear here whether she's saying therefore don't choose breastfeeding just because it's a modern day 'fad' or that if you decide to formula feed against popular opinion, know that 25 years from now it will probably be 'the thing to do' just like it was 25 years ago? I don't get it.) She also says here, 'As this book is being written, scientists are experimenting with the notion of genetically altering cows to produce human breast milk [yuk]. If that happens, perhaps in the future everyone will tout cow's milk. In fact, a 1999 article in the Journal of Nutrition suggests 'that it may ultimately be possible to design formulas better able to meet the needs of individual infants than the milk available from the mother's breast.''
Okay, that is fascinating information, but how should it impact any mother's decision *today*? Feed your baby formula now because in the future it might actually be the best choice!? (A statement in itself which is worthy of an opposing dissertation - there are more advantages to breastfeeding than the mere composition of the fluid.)
Later, in the breastfeeding section, she specifically discourages demand feeding - advice which is direct opposition to breastfeeding recommendations endorsed by the majority of professional lactation consultants and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Hogg has a schedule all charted out for new parents, beginning with day one, which becomes increasing less flexible over a three day period, until you're stuck on that

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted July 14, 2010

DRMed

This ebook is DRMed and therefore cannot be read on your computer. This is counterproductive because you cannot read the entire troubleshooting tips. Even in the smallest font in the smallest size...they are cut off and when you go to the next page...it's blank.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted November 14, 2006

best advice

A fantastic book, a must for all mothers. Great advice on sleep, lactation, crying etc. Authors are not anti-breast feeding at all. No where in the book is that implied. They do empasize that bottle feeding moms should not be ashamed.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted August 2, 2006

THIS BOOK GIVES TERRIBLE ADVICE

How can a woman who claims to be a lactation consultant be so AGAINST breastfeeding. She comes across as arrogant and judgemental towards those of us who choose to breastfeed rather than formula feed. As a physician, I would highly discourage readers in following this author's advice which is mainly geared for 'hollywood' celebrities...not the general public. As a mother, I think her literary advice is 'hoggwash'.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted February 12, 2002

I HATED Breastfeeding

OK, OK, there, I said it. I hated nursing. My son was miserable and starving all of the time and would only fall asleep while nursing. So he was tired all of the time too. And so was I. Tracy Hogg's book was the only one out there which didn't make me feel like a horrible parent for switching him to formula at 3 weeks old. The last thing a new mother needs is more guilt. Reading Dr Sears' book, which told me I should breastfeed my son until he goes to college, have him sleep in my bed until he asks for his own (uh, hello, I know of NO child who 'asks' for his own bed) and carrying my 25 lb son around in a sling until he is old enough to walk did nothing but make me feel like the decisions I had made were wrong. I bottle fed my son and he sleeps in his own crib. I have a very happy little boy and I am loving being a mom. And it was Tracy Hogg's book that helped along the way. This is a must read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted March 2, 2012

Reviewed by a New Daddy

As a new and young father, I am very curious about who my baby is and what I am supposed to do to help her. This book was a wonderful read. I appreciate that the author's programs are rooted in fertile reasoning. While this book (along with most parenting books) was written to a maternal audience, as a father, I found the content very informative and effective. I plan on reading the author's other books as a result.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted December 1, 2011

I really recommend this book

This is a great book for new Moms. I do recommend you read it before your baby comes. I also think that a hard copy would be better than the nook version. I have the nook version and it seems to be missing part of the graphs. The advice is great though. It made me feel alot better about the job I am doing.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted September 20, 2011

A great combo of insightful advice and common sense

This is the ONLY baby book that I have ever given as a gift for moms-to-be. I greatly appreciated the light humor (important when sleep deprived!) and encouragement that Tracy provides. I found the following sections most useful: learning how to read your baby's cues, developing a flexible scheule for your baby (the EASY program), and the "trouble shooting" guide for common challenges such as if your baby has to be rocked in order to fall asleep. Following Tracy's advice, my son can now be put in his crib drowsy, yet awake and he will fall asleep on his own without crying. Using some of the tips from the book also helped him sleep through the night at 9 weeks. I also completely agree with another reviewer who said that Tracy does not do the breastfeeding guilt trip...it's so refreshing! My daughter was bottle fed and my son was breast fed and Tracy reinforced my belief that I made the best decision for each of my children given the circumstances. Overall, an amazing book that I highly recommend!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
ALotOfLiv

Posted August 27, 2011

Awesome!

This book was given to me as a gift with my first son and I cherished it because it absolutely worked and maked sense. Tracy helped me understand my infant and I had such a happy content baby. I later used it with my second son, getting constant compliments on how "good" my babies were! Now pregnant with my third its come back out on the shelf :) love this book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
mlv333

Posted August 18, 2011

more from this reviewer

A necessity for new parents

This is a very comprehensive book that I read from cover to cover pregnant, and I read pieces of it on a daily basis since my baby has been born. I read other reviews on this site who state that the author discourages breastfeeding which is not the case. This book is extremely informative on how to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is very difficult, and with my experience she is the only voice (besides my pediatrician) that discourages beating yourself up choosing not to breastfeed. This book is a must have for new parents. I don't know where I would be without using the techniques in this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
NewMom2010

Posted April 22, 2010

Good if you want your baby to be on a structured routine and you're willing to be highly disciplined about it...

I found that this book had some relavent pieces of parenting advice (such as creating a log to track your baby's various activities) but overall the advice felt somewhat rigid. I tried to maintain an open and objective outlook throughout my reading of the book but kept getting the sense that the author was promoting too much of a structured routine for my taste and sometimes came across as a bit overbearing.
For me, the book "Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp was much more relavent.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted February 22, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Great book!

My husband and I used this book like a reference for the first 6 months after my son was born. Thank God for The Baby Whisperer!! It was hard at first to stick to the routine but we are now so glad we did. Our son is so happy and easygoing ad a great sleeper! This is a MUST READ and we give it to all our friends that are expecting
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
jbcbhb

Posted July 2, 2009

more from this reviewer

Very Helpful

I read this book when My daughter wouldn't sleep though the night this book helped ALOT, I really recommend it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted October 30, 2008

some helpful pointers, but a lot of self-contradictions and illogical ideas

Once you get over the rather patronizing tone of the writing (being called 'ducky' and 'luv' every other page is a little tiresome), there are some gems of insight here, however, I found the EASY method to be completely off.

According to this, your child should Eat, have some Activity, then Sleep, (then it's time for You). However, according to this schedule, your baby's cycle is to sleep, then eat, meaning that the baby is always going to wake up hungry, and you're likely to miss the telltale signs of hunger before the baby cries unless you're standing over the crib watching the baby sleep all the time.

Also, you're putting the baby to sleep on a less-than-full stomach, which doesn't make a lot of sense, considering this is your baby's natural biorhythym, particulary if you're breastfeeding, since the baby will have just received a sleep-inducing dose of oxytocin.

She uses the western cultural model to support this cycle, where adults do not have a rest period after eating, however, in most parts of the world, including southern europe, it is still common to have a nap or significant rest period after lunch, the largest meal of the day.

Also, if you will be sending your child to preschool, keep in mind that most centers follow a model of having naptime right after lunch, so you may be setting your infant up for a pattern of eating and sleeping that will be in conflict with a childcare/preschool setting.

In general, I think this book has a lot to offer, but I would advise parents to investigate other philosophies/methods before adopting all of the advise offered here.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted May 8, 2008

a MUST for every parent-to-be

Fantastic book! You will never panic, worry or feel lost if you STUDY this book. It has very easy to follow 'and working!' guidance on breastfeeding, formula, sleep, bathing, and all. God bless your soul, Tracy! You were a gift to all of us!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted April 25, 2008

I read this one first...

I read this one first b/c the local bookstore only carried this one vs the lastest version 'the 2005 version contains more info'. I highly recommend both Baby Whisper books, all the techniques work!! From sleeping in their own bed, a simple eating schedule, to sleeping thru the night. You will return again and again to this book as your baby grows.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted November 28, 2007

Sleep Techniques that Really Work

We received this as a gift when my first child was 6 weeks old - he was not sleeping in his bed, I was spending the night sitting up in a chair while he fell asleep on me since as soon as I put him in bed he would start screaming and never took a nap in his bed. It took about 2 weeks to completely 'reprogram' him, but after that he slept every nap in his crib and went to sleep like an angel at night. At 2 he loves his bed and now often asks to take a nap or go to bed when he's tired. We started using the EASY technique with our second child right away and it has made a world of difference - I've been sleeping in my own bed since I came home from the hospital and baby is thriving. I cannot recommend enough for a caring way to give your child - and yourself - some independence. I just ignored the breast feeding information (with the exception of feeding every 3 hours on EASY) and breastfeed however long my daughter wanted, and pumped after most feedings to increase production (and get a good stockpile for when I return to work). We give this book to every expecting parent we are friends with and always keep a copy in the house to give to poor parents we meet who are having sleepless nights and feeling completely out of control. if you follow her 'rules' it really does work. It's the best investment you will ever make.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted February 4, 2006

I am no longer my baby's mattress

This book changed my life! I was miserable because my baby wouldn't sleep in his crib during the day. I ended up holding him for three hours so that he could nap but it got harder and harder as he got heavier. This book taught me many things among them that I had to teach my baby to fall asleep in his crib and it showed me how to do it. He is much happier and well rested as are his parents.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted July 5, 2005

Never thought it would help - but it did!!!!!

I'm a first time mother with boy/girl twins. Frustrated & crying a friend told me about this book & highly suggested I read it. My thoughts with twins were 1) when would I have the time and 2) would it really help. The book was easy to read as a reference and also as a novel. The ideas were simple, but WORKED! I couldn't believe it WORKED! At 13 weeks, my kids now sleep 7 hours through the night. I can now understand their needs --- thus, less fussing & crying. I can't wait to read more when they are toddlers. I'm even purchasing this book for my cousin who is pregnant. Highly suggest you get this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted July 14, 2004

This Book is a LIFESAVER for all New Parents

At first I thought that my now 4 month old son was just 'fussy' but after reading this book I realized it was just his way of expressing that his needs weren't being met because I didn't understand how to read his 'cues.' Once I started using 'EASY' as prescribed in Tracey's book, everything (I mean EVERYTHING) changed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

Pick Up in Store

Available on NOOK devices and apps

All Available Formats + Editions

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Book

Overview

Related Subjects

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Library Journal

Product Details

Meet the Author

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One: Loving the Baby You Gave Birth To

Oh My God, We Have a Baby!

Coming Home

Homecoming Checklist

Limit Visitors

Take Small Bites

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Your Rating:

Your Recommendations:

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

What to exclude from your review:

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

Reminder:

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Bad Breastfeeding Advice

DRMed

best advice

THIS BOOK GIVES TERRIBLE ADVICE

I HATED Breastfeeding

Reviewed by a New Daddy

I really recommend this book

A great combo of insightful advice and common sense

Awesome!

A necessity for new parents

Good if you want your baby to be on a structured routine and you're willing to be highly disciplined about it...

Great book!

Very Helpful

some helpful pointers, but a lot of self-contradictions and illogical ideas

a MUST for every parent-to-be

I read this one first...

Sleep Techniques that Really Work

I am no longer my baby's mattress

Never thought it would help - but it did!!!!!

This Book is a LIFESAVER for all New Parents