5 Days to a Perfect Night's Sleep for Your Child: The Secrets to Making Bedtime a Dream

by Eduard Estivill, Mara Faye Lethem (Translator), Rachel Anderson (Contributor)

An international phenomenon now available in America for the first time, this quick, no-nonsense guide is all you need to get your child to sleep through the night (pillow not included).
 
These days, most books on improving your child’s sleep take either a tough-love approach (ignore crying) or a soothing strategy (offer continuous comfort). But now an internationally renowned sleep expert provides a middle-ground method that will have your child sleeping through the night at any age. Dr. Eduard Estivill’s no-fail technique focuses on a mixture of authority, ritual, and reward. Parents can end negative cycles of resistance and wakefulness and feel as rested as their child will by following these expert
 
• Adopt a firm and confident attitude (your child will pick up on your mood).
• Use meals as a cue to announce your child’s next nap or nighttime sleep.
• Incorporate appropriate elements (such as a stuffed animal or a pacifier) at bedtime so your child will not rely on you as a vital part of the sleep process.
• Reinforce the contrast between light (day) and dark (night).
• Never punish children by making them go to bed (it sends the wrong message about sleep time).
• Learn what to say before—and after—the light is turned off.
 
Complete with special techniques to use with newborns, plus an invaluable question-and-answer section that addresses specific concerns (children sleeping in their parents’ bed, how divorced parents can work together, special-needs children), this sanity-saving guide promises sweet dreams for all.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Eduard Estivill Sancho (Barcelona, 2 d'abril de 1948) és un metge i cantant català.

Reviews

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was only one chapter in this book that would apply to my two-month-old and unfortunately, I've already tried the suggestions and he's still not sleeping as well as he should.

The rest of the book has tips for helping older babies and children sleep, but I do not plan to follow them because I cannot ignore my child. The author says not to worry if a child makes him or herself throw up to get your attention because it's very easy for children to do that, but they would never actually hurt themselves. I'd rather not ignore them long enough to find out if that's true.

[Christina Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually give this 5 THOUSAND stars for getting my child to sleep through the night (after only 1 day too).

[Kars · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much here that you can’t figure out by applying common sense. It is basically about reinforcing desired behaviour and ignoring unwanted behaviour. From reading up on the scientific evidence on this approach it seems to work—but it’s very tough on parents. I’m happy I don’t have to deal with the issues this is aimed at. Things I found lacking: sketchy details on how to handle daytime napping, lack of clarity on when to begin with this approach (from what I understand you really shouldn’t start before six months) and an amusing lack of any mention about how to handle additional children, let alone twins.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid advice

Some of this I did when my children were little. Each child has their own sleep patterns. My oldest never wanted to go to sleep while my daughter put herself in bed when she was tired. This book is good advice for new moms by letting them know it’s okay if you let your child cry themselves asleep. It’s hard but you are not doing anything wrong.

[Anton Kan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is succint and very well-written. You can easily read it in 3 hours even if English is not your native language and even if you have to be distracted by feeding your baby and changing diapers. The ideas are simple and, from the first sight, make total sense. Will it work in the long run? Only time will tell... I try not to forget and update my review later.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very practical and structured guideline for helping your baby to sleep. For us, this method worked wonders, with our baby sleeping through the night after just one (admittedly rough) night of applying the method.

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't take into account research showing reduced risk of SIDS if babies sleep in the same room as parents. More of a pamphlet than a book.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. Basically the cry it out method. And yes you do have to teach your child how to sleep.

[Heather Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short simple read. He made some great points, that I had not thought of.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda sounded like the other sleep books I've read--Ferber, Baby Whisperer. But a quick read--barely longer than a pamphlet.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. The author advocates ignoring your child who vomits or bangs her head on the crib to avoid sleep. I get crying it out, but it can go too far. I won't be trying this.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

He has some great points but I agree with another commenter, some of his thoughts were a bit extreme and makes you wonder if he has children himself! A very quick read with some good tactics.