Elizabeth Pantley - No-Cry Sleep Solutions for Babies Through Preschoolers

Copyright 2012 by Better Beginnings, Inc. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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The No-Cry Sleep Solution 2002 by Better Beginnings, Inc.

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The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers 2005 by Better Beginnings, Inc.

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This book provides a variety of ideas and suggestions. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not rendering psychological, medical, or professional services. The author is not a doctor or psychologist, and the information in this book is the authors opinion unless otherwise stated. Questions and comments attributed to parents represent a compilation and adaptation of reader letters unless indicated otherwise. This material is presented without any warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is not possible to cover every eventuality in any book, and the reader should consult a professional for individual needs. Readers should bring their child to a medical care provider for regular checkups and bring questions they have to a medical professional. This book is not a substitute for competent professional health care or professional counseling.

This book is dedicated to my husband, Robert, for all the things you do as father to our childrenthings that may sometimes seem insignificant but are the pieces of life I cherish most in the special place in my heart that only you know. This book is for you, my husband, for:

Wrapping our first child, Angela, in her very first diaper. Your delicate and vigilant movements that day make this the memory I cherish most from my first moments as a mother.

Carrying newborn Vanessa in a sling as we shopped the mall. For placing your hand under her diminutive body as you walked, for peeking at her face between sentences, and for that look of love and pride that glowed in your eyes.

Singing to David all those silly songs that made him laugh. And singing them with as much gusto and emotion the tenth time around as you had the first.

Rocking baby Coleton to sleep, even when your arms fell asleep before he did. And for never, ever ignoring a call of Daddy from a toddling little boy, no matter how busy you are.

Coaching our children and others in softball, with a heart as big as all the world. For the day when the opposing pitcher struggled on the mound and broke down in tears: How can I forget the scene as you emerged from the dugout with a box of tissue and draped your arm around her shoulder, encouraging her to finish the game?

Guiding our children in their studies with the perfect balance of seriousness (those goal-setting meetings) and fun (helping with homework while eating popcorn and watching the Mariners play baseball).

Inviting child after child into our home. And then, when your invitation includes the entire softball team to sleep over, staying up late so I can go to bed early.

Teaching the importance of thoughtfulness, caring, and family by hugging Grama when she most needs a hug, surprising her when she most needs a surprise, and saying thank you for every deed great or small.

Revealing to our children the secrets of a long and lasting marriagetrust, honesty, respect, and affectionso that they may emulate ours and grow up to cherish marriages of their own.

Understanding that our babys bedtime ritual takes precedence over dinner parties; that a perfect French braid is as important as getting to the field on time; that breakfast out with Daddy on Sunday morning is an essential ingredient to a happy childhood; and that a closed door to a teenagers room sometimes represents a more earnest invitation than an open one.

Recognizing that Daddy is your most significant title in life right now and maybe, just maybe, for always.

by William Sears, M.D.

Sleepor more accurately, the lack of sleepis one of the most challenging aspects of parenting during the first year or two of a babys life. The biggest hurdle is getting the baby to sleep through the night. Parents who are sensitive to their babys needs are reluctant to try any technique that requires that they let their baby cry, so they often struggle through a fog of sleeplessness. This nighttime-martyr parenting often leads to frustration and resentment, resulting in unnecessary feelings of guilt and obscuring a familys joy over the new arrival. At a time when new parents should be enjoying the process of getting to know their baby, this lack of sleep leaves parents doubting themselves.

Ive always thought that it would be wonderful to have a menu of ideas that parents could try until they hit upon a magic antidote to help their baby sleep all night. Elizabeth Pantley has created just such a menu in The No-Cry Sleep Solution.

The beauty of this book is that parents can create their very own sleep plan based on their babys makeup as well as their own. Parents can choose from a variety of sensible, sensitive solutions that respect both baby and parent, striking a balance between a babys nighttime requirements and the parents very real need for a full nights sleep. The ideas are firmly rooted in the concept that the early years are the time to help your child develop a healthy sleep attitudeone that regards sleep as a pleasant, peaceful, necessary state thats not to be feared.

Youve most likely picked up this book because your baby is keeping you up all night. Your lack of sleep has probably affected your ability to function fully throughout the day. Elizabeth Pant-ley, an experienced mother of four, clearly understands where you sit today, having sat there herself on occasion. Shes created a book that is clear, easy to read, and uncomplicated. The steps are set up so that even the most sleep-deprived can understand and apply the solutions.

At long last, Ive found a book that I can hand to weary parents with the confidence that they can learn to help their baby sleep through the nightwithout the baby crying it out.

William Sears, M.D.

A Note from Author Elizabeth Pantley

Dr. Sears is my parenting hero. His books came to my aid when I was a nervous and inexperienced new mother fourteen years ago. His wisdom and knowledge helped me learn what it really means to be a parent, and his gentle insight showed me how to do the job in the most loving and successful way. I am deeply honored that he finds my books so helpful to parents that he is willing to write the foreword for each one. My perception is that most parents know Dr. Searsand those who dont, should.