Your Sleepless Baby: The Rescue Guide Paperback – December 12, 2014

This book was a lifesaver. I found it when I was at a really tough point with our 5 week old, he was extremely over-tired but we didn't even realise because we were putting all of his crying down to the reflux he was suffering from. I got the kindle version and read it on the laptop for speed as I needed something more immediate that waiting for the hard copy. I read it through the night and after a 4am feed that first night I was able to get him straight to sleep without waking his dad (he usually went to sleep with his dad in the spare room as he would never sleep in his crib for me until that night - his dad would walk him on his shoulder until he fell asleep). It is crazy to think that we didn't realise that he just needed to be put down and let to fall asleep himself! He now sleeps every night and only wakes for feeds or when his reflux is bad, but doesn't rely on us to get him to sleep at night. The main thing I learnt from this book is about positive and negative sleep associations. Knowing about these will be useful for the first few years of our little boy's life as he grows and goes from phase to another. Also, should we have any more children, it will be brilliant to have this book before they are born. Thank you Rowena!

We actually found out about Rowena when our 3 month old baby was struggling with colic/reflux/feeding aversion (and would only fall asleep in our arms, and mostly sleep for less than 1 hour each time). We had contacted her about these issues and whilst Rowena assisted us in that matter she stressed the importance of good sleep training too. I bought her book as a result and found it immensely helpful. Rowena does not so much propose any striking new theories or approaches to sleep training, but rather assimilates and organises many approaches in such a way that you can easily tell what is suitable for yourselves. So, rather than having a single one-size-fits all approach pushed at you by some self-professed guru, you can do what you feel comfortable with.I selected the 'Hands on settling 1' approach to training our daughter (essentially actively soothing the baby whilst they lie in the cot), although my wife believed that it would be ineffective and supported a less active approach.... and as a result my wife bet me a not insubstantial amount of money that 'Hands on settling 1' would not work. I won the bet, easily. Our daughter slept with 10 minutes on the first attempt with limited crying and just got better. There were the odd bad days but essentially she quickly learnt to self-soothe and has become a delightful, happy, and well-rested 5 month old, who has recently started sleeping for 11-12 hours overnight.The book also has useful information on feeding and daily routines which i've also found helpful and i still refer to it from time to time.I highly recommend this book.

This book is incredibly comprehensive! It covers a wide range of sleeping issues, provides various solutions, and gives troubleshooting advice. It doesn’t prescribe a particular approach but rather gives exhausted parents options they may adapt to their own circumstances and their baby’s needs and developmental trajectory. I just started implementing the “responsive settling” technique and within 3 naps my 4mo was putting herself to sleep with no crying! It is the first baby sleep resource that has been of any real help. Highly recommend!

Rowena's book completely changed my baby & our lives. When I found Rowena's website (babycareadvice.com), I was desperate to figure out why my daughter's sleep degraded from somewhat normal to downright awful. My daughter (Tatum) was on zantac for reflux & would only take short naps in the car. Nights were horrendous. Through Rowena's website, I figured out Tatum did not have reflux & the advice I'd received from my lactation consultant about nursing to sleep was flawed. I instantly took Tatum off the meds & contacted Rowena for a consultation. After reading her book & receiving support via phone & email, Tatum has gone from sleeping about 6 hours to 15 hours daily!The book is incredible for its breadth - every time I have a question, I read the book & somehow my very specific issue is discussed & practical tips are offered. It's well-organized & easy to read. I refer to it daily as I am still working on a perfect nap/night sleep balance.I had read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child," "Good Night, Sleep Tight," & "The No Cry Sleep Solution," and BY FAR, "Your Sleepless Baby" is way more helpful, straightforward & gives advice not included in those other popular sleep books.The book is amazing, and if you need more guidance, Rowena's consults through her website are completely worth more than their reasonable costs. It's like having a good friend who knows everything baby (better info than my pediatrician). I can't recommend this book & Rowena's expertise enough.

I am so glad a friend recommended this book as it has been a sanity saver. I was at my wits end with our little one - she just cried all the time and rocking her to sleep took at least an hour (during which time she would cry) and often as soon as I put her in her cot she would immediately wake, crying. I was just so exhausted and felt there was nothing I could do. My husband was the one who suggested we try the Responsive Settling - it was really hard to do but by the next night she slept for 8 hours, woke briefly for a feed - then went back to sleep for another 3 hours. Now it's like I have a different baby! She is more happy and settled, cries less and falls asleep more easily. I also feel more confident noticing her tired and hunger cues. Being a first time Mum is so hard! Everyone has a different opinion but no one knows your child or your situation. I appreciate Rowena's non-judgemental tone and also that she backs up all her suggestions with research. Rowena offers guidelines for many different settling techniques, routines and car cycles - offering to new parents what many other books don't - options! She also gives tips on how to assist your baby's sleep if you choose to co-sleep. Ultimately the book educates parents about how to improve their babies sleep. Fantastic book - highly recommended!

This book explains your babies sleep needs in a very easy to read and understand way. It gives great instructions on gentle settling techniques. Anyone who says it’s harsh sleep training has not read the book. If you’re want to understand the “why” and “how” to your baby sleeps…. get this book.

My 3-month special-need baby had feeding aversion. We were very anxious because the baby had low weight and the doctor recommended tube feeding if aversion could not be fixed. I had a Skype consultation with the author in Australia, and she provided a feeding plan. Following the author's feeding plan, the feeding aversion was corrected within a few days. The baby now is developing very well. The author also provided some advices for free on other matters, brief by very effective. So I have also purchased this book in order to do sleep training.

Great information and well-written. I haven't implemented any of the strategies yet, but it's given me plenty to consider.

This book was an absolute game changer. After reading seven different sleep books, this one did the trick. Our 6mo is falling asleep in under 5 minutes and finally having longer naps. We were dealing with multiple issues including too much night feeding and constant catnapping and night waking. The book answers so many questions I had and set out really clearly the steps needed for responsive settling. We didn't have to go any further than that. I really liked that the techniques didn't involve trivial time limits for checking on bub but relies on listening to bub's cries and being responsive as needed.

Another 5 star from me as well. I only wish I had bought it sooner. We got it when bub was 6 months old (now 15 months) and life since has been so much better. I enjoyed motherhood so much more all because of this book. Thank you Rowena!