James J. McKenna

A carefully researched book by a professional in the field with helpful tips and advice for parents who want to make their infant's sleeping arrangements as safe as possible. The author encourages breastfeeding mothers to consider sleeping with their young child in bed as a way to facilitate feeds and also allow for very close monitoring of the baby's health throughout the night.

The author points out that a lot of common knowledge surrounding SIDS and "safe" infant sleep is based on very show more shaky scientific research and has not been carefully studied. I found the research the author presented on infant sleep development and psychology very interesting. I do not have a baby, nor do I intend on ever having one, but I thought this research was captivating enough on its own to warrant the read. show less

The main message I got from the book was that parents need to make responsible decisions about their co-sleeping practices. For example, the book explains that anyone sleeping in the same bed with the mother has to accept responsibility for the infant's safety. As a person with a sleep disorder who sleeps through smoke alarms, I know I cannot do that. I do worry that other people will lack the proper judgment to make a wise decision, so perhaps a more thorough list of unsafe conditions would show more have been helpful. My problems make the decision black and white, but not all issues of safety are that clear-cut.

I agree with others that some parts of the book were a bit repetitive. The author spent too much time trying to dispel myths about co-sleeping. The entire first half of the book focuses on common misconceptions and flawed research. Many of these points were restated several times. Moreover, the title of the book promised that all of my questions were going to be answered, yet several of my questions remain unanswered. The chapters on how to bed-share safely are lacking, for example. show less

Excellent book that everyone who is planning on having children should read. Finally a book that talks openly about co-sleeping. Dr. James J. McKenna shows the data and spells out how to safely do what mothers and fathers have been doing for thousands of years.

This book talks about the fear instilled in parents against sleeping with your children. It is not saying you must sleep with your infants. Instead it explains why you should be open to it and how studies are not exactly accurate when they are marking a cause of death as bedsharing vs. SIDS. I was told as a new parent that I should put my infant in a separate room and get them sleeping through the night ASAP. I was also made to feel guilty for falling asleep while breastfeeding and deciding show more that sleeping with my child at this point was easier than putting the baby back in a crib. The book has common sense recommendations for new parents and is not judgemental. It was a bit dry at some times, but the content was helpful and I will be passing this book on to a future mommy. show less