Speaking of sleep...

Two books about sleep arrived in our offices recently. Both are excellent choices for parents-to-be to read or skim through.

Just last week, we received "Sleep Deprived No More" by Jodi A. Mindell, Ph.D., the associate director of the Sleep Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Earlier this year, we received "The Lull-a-Baby Sleep Plan" by Cathryn Tobin, MD, a pediatrician and midwife and member of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

"Sleep Deprived No More" is primarily given over to helping parents, especially mothers, manage their sleep needs from pregnancy through the first months after childbirth. Only one chapter is devoted to information and advice about infants and sleep. The premise seems to be that if parents understand their own sleep needs and are well-rested, they'll be prepared to tackle the needs of their baby with empathy and rationality.

"The Lull-a-Baby Sleep Plan" focuses on preventing sleep problems by using what the author calls the Window of Opportunity (beginning at 6 to 8 weeks of age and lasting until 6 to 9 months of age) to instill good sleep habits in children. The Window of Opportunity is the time when an infant's brain is most receptive to forming sleep patterns--so why not make them good sleep patterns?

Both books are written in short segments with plenty of break-out boxes, lists and real-life examples. Both are about 200 pages long and $15 retail, but ask your local library if they're available for check-out.