Kinder, Gentler, and It Really Works Based on the human rest and activity cycle that occurs every hour and a half, here's a scientifically based program for parents to help babies get all the sleep they need, both through the night and during the day. The method is simple, foolproof, and yields long-lasting results: truly restful daytime naps (which also gives an infant a head start on cognitive development and emotional intelligence) and consistent nighttime sleep-as beneficial for parents as it is for the baby. - For babies aged two weeks to one year - Lessons in sleep independence and solutions to common problems, such as your baby waking up too early, getting a second wind before bedtime, confusing day and night, and more - Includes a guided journal for recording your baby's sleep signals and keeping track of naps and bedtimesA simple program for sleep that delivers foolproof results. Based on the human rest and activity cycle that occurs every hour and a half, here's a kinder, gentler, and better way to put your baby to sleep. The result: truly restful daytime naps (which also give an infant a head start on cognitive development and emotional intelligence) and consistent nighttime sleep-as beneficial for parents as it is for the baby. In her reassuring voice, Dr. Moore explains how and why the method works for babies aged two weeks to one year, and includes lessons in sleep independence plus solutions to common problems, such as baby waking up too early, baby getting a second wind before bedtime, and baby confusing day and night. Polly Moore, Ph.D., received her doctorate in neuroscience from UCLA, where she specialized in sleep research, and is now Director of Sleep Research at California Clinical Trials in San Diego. Introduction: More Sleep, Less Stress All living creatures-including human beings, dogs, elephants, fish, insects, and even amoebas-are designed to follow natural cycles of rest and activity. Until the widespread use of electric lighting in the late nineteenth century, most humans experienced their rest and activity cycles naturally, going to bed when darkness fell and waking with the sun. Babies and children were permitted to nap when they felt sleepy, and they were allowed to remain asleep as long as necessary. Today, however, technological advances and our packed daily agendas have led us to live out of phase with our natural rhythms. Sleep has become something we squeeze into the time that's left after predawn commutes and late-night laundry. Over the last several decades, as we've pushed ourselves to work harder and play longer on less sleep, we've demanded that our babies, too, conform to artificial schedules. In the hustle and bustle of life, we've lost sight of two simple facts: how much sleep our babies need, and how to help our babies get it. Yet sleep is one of your baby's most important jobs in the first year of life, and helping your baby sleep is one of your most important jobs as a parent. When you give your baby's sleep needs top priority, you give him a head start on cognitive development and emotional intelligence. Good sleep will help your baby grow strong, with plenty of energy for conquering the world. Without sufficient sleep, our babies suffer, and we parents don't function optimally either. Luckily, contemporary parents can take advantage of a growing body of knowledge about the internal clocks that govern sleep and waking. This book and its N.A.P.S. plan, which is for expectant parents and for parents of babies up to one year of age (and, to a lesser extent, for toddlers), will show you how to follow one of your baby's natural body clocks. This clock is present from birth and goes strong through the first year, and it helps your baby become sleepy at predictable times. Once you know h

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