The Good Sleeper: The Essential Guide to Sleep for Your Baby—and You

Psychologist Kennedy was an expert on adult insomnia when she had her first child. Aware that she would not be able to function without a reasonable amount of sleep, she developed a method of getting her own children to sleep as well. She shares that method, discussing sleeping locations, colic, and bedtime routine. Kennedy warns parents against allowing their offspring to become overtired, because once this has happened it’s hard for children to recover and get the “tons of sleep... they need.” She also addresses special circumstances like siblings sharing rooms and jet lag. Proposing “authoritative parenting” (rather than attachment parenting), Kennedy is making an argument about more than infant rest. She believes that children need to learn to cope with “normal discomforts like boredom” without parental coddling; otherwise, they won’t turn into well-adjusted adults. This approach is sure to draw strong reactions from the mommy-blogosphere, whether it’s ire from moms who like to sleep in the same bed as baby, or praise from exhausted parents who will no doubt be eager to try Kennedy’s program. Agent: Meg Thompson, Einstein Thompson Agency. (Jan.)