The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep: Simple Solutions for Kids From Birth to 5 Years, by Harvey Karp. 2012. 367 pages, Harper Collins, New York, $21.00.
The purpose of the book is to provide a set of "instructions" for caregivers of sleepless children from birth to 5 years of age. The intended audience is families and parents of young children. The book has 15 chapters presented in 4 parts. Chapter 1 provides the reader with a basic understanding of sleep, dreams, and consequences of sleeplessness. Next, part 1 (chapters 2-5) discusses sleeplessness among infants from birth to 3 months. Part 2 (chapters 6-9) includes infants aged 3 to 12 months. Part 3 (chapters 10-15) addresses children aged 1 to 5 years. Part 4 (chapters 14-15) addresses naps, red alerts, and special situations.
Karp uses a variety of strategies to help the reader go through the book fairly quickly. Key points are bulleted at the beginning of each chapter. Bullets are also used throughout each chapter to provide lists of information. Hand-drawn illustrations are found throughout the book. They break up the narrative and present the information in an attractive manner. Several bar graphs are used to present information as well. Within each chapter, some of the narrative is effectively presented in shaded boxes. The last page of each chapter provides a summary of the chapter in a shaded box with bulleted information affectionately titled "Crib Notes."
This book is useful for health care providers who can use the knowledge and ideas in this book to provide anticipatory guidance for parents and caregivers of children from birth to 5 years. The importance of restful sleep for health promotion is appropriately presented by Dr Karp. For example, the author provides valuable information regarding the relationship between obesity and "short sleep." Pinworms, growing pains, asthma, seizures, acid reflux, and other physical and developmental issues are discussed in the context of nighttime problems. Advice is also provided for parents and caregivers regarding the management and diagnosis of each problem.
This book is particularly relevant for parents, caregivers, and health care providers caring for families. It has unique features that make it easy to read. The information is accurate and valuable.
-Tauna Gulley, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Email: [email protected]