If your sink’s garbage disposal breaks- do you call a plumber or type “broken disposal” into YouTube? If you’re a DIY parent, you probably liked the YouTube option. So, when your child isn’t sleeping, we’re guessing you take a similar approach- you maybe even found this article Googling “child sleep books”. We have good news for you! You can absolutely help your child sleep better on your own. As sleep consultants, we are here when you’ve tried as much, or as little, as you want and need more help. Some people love having a guide and human resource, others don’t need that.
Most of the information you need to sleep train is online or in a book. But as you probably already know, there’s just so much information out there. And one approach can be SO DIFFERENT from the next. It’s especially tough to sort through it all when you’re totally exhausted.
There are hundreds of child sleep books. I have a bookcase that’s full of them. While most sleep books will help you in a safe and science-backed way, some are better than others! Here are our favorites.
Best Books for Babies and Toddlers
The Happy Sleeper: The Science-Backed Guide to Helping Your Baby Get a Good Night’s Sleep by Heather Turgeon, MFT and Julie Wright, MFT
While parents have the best intentions, sleep issues can surface when parents “over-help” at night. Child sleep experts Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright explain how to help babies and young children develop self-soothing skills so that they can fall asleep independently, sleep through the night and take great naps.
Sleeping through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep by Dr. Jodi Mindell
Based upon Dr. Jodi Mindell’s research and clinical work assessing and treating common childhood sleep problems, Dr. Mindell offers parents her sleep tips and techniques. Dr. Mindell addresses some of the most commonly asked questions about sleep. This book includes many case studies from parents who have successfully resolved their child’s sleep problems
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth
Dr. Marc Weissbluth, one of the country’s most prominent experts in pediatric sleep, discusses how to facilitate healthy sleep habits from infancy through childhood. Topics covered in Dr. Weissbluth’s latest addition include:
- Prevention and treatment of childhood sleep problems
- Common mistakes that parents make
- Handling kids who seem to be nap-resistant
- Real world obstacles for working parents
- Long-term consequences of insufficient sleep
- The family bed – benefits and drawbacks
Weissbluth shares tons of case studies. This is a great resource, but cover-to-cover, it’s not a quick read.
Best Young Child Sleep Books
There are so many books on baby and toddler sleep but there’s very little guidance for parents who want to help their preschool or elementary school age children sleep well.
Become Your Child’s Sleep Coach by Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg
There are so many books on baby and toddler sleep but there’s very little guidance for parents who want to help their preschool or elementary school age children sleep well. Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg offers a simple plan that enables parents to effectively resolve a young child’s sleep issue. Dr. Schneeberg’s 5-step plan includes:
- Preparing a child’s bedroom for great sleep
- Using the 5B bedtime routine every night
- Teaching a child to self-comfort as parents work their way out of the child’s bedroom
- Limiting “callbacks” and “curtain calls”
- Managing night and early morning wakings”
It’s Never Too Late to Sleep Train by Dr. Craig Canapari
Dr. Craig Canapari offers a streamlined sleep training plan that focuses on cues and consequences, the two elements that shape all habits and take on special importance when it comes to kids’ bedtime routines and sleep.
Dr. Canapari makes sleep training simple and stress-free. Whether your child is 6 months or 6 years old, Dr. Canapari believes “it’s never too late to sleep train”. With his advice and guidance, parents can expect a lifetime of healthy sleep!
If you’ve read the child sleep books, the entire internet or just get sick of doing the work on your own, please let us help you! Your family deserves sleep.