Helping Baby Sleep: The Science and Practice of Gentle Nighttime Parenting    by Anni Gethin & Beth MacGregor Order:  USA  Can Ten Speed Press, 2009 (2009) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch One of the most stressful situations new parents have to deal with is adjusting to their infant's sleep pattern (or lack of it). Helping Baby Sleep: The Science and Practice of Gentle Nighttime Parenting uses the latest scientific research to make a case for responsive parenting and gentle sleep methods. The authors feel that, unlike some traditional approaches like letting the child cry, the approach they espouse not only honors a baby's neural and emotional needs but will also help both parent and child get a better night's rest. The first section of this book explains how research supports responsive parenting and delves into why babies wake at night and why they need help to settle. The need for love and bonding at this important time in the infant's development is also discussed, along with how neurological structures which allow one to feel emotions and cope with stress are formed in this first year of life. In part two, the authors then show how to put this information and the research findings into practice. Parents will learn how to gently help their child get to sleep as well as deal with common sleep problems. There's also material on the six essential elements of responsive parenting and how mom and dad can receive the nurturing and support they need as well. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews