The Discontented Little Baby Book Kindle Edition

What a wonderful book for moms. There's a lot to love in this tightly constructed little volume! I am just reading it as my firstborn is turning 3 months; definitely wish I had read it sooner. Reading in the US, it is fun to hear a few Aussie (I think ??) terms ... i.e.. if your baby is 'grizzling' or 'posseting' - read this book!The two main themes of the book are that in the first 16 weeks of life, babies are discontented due to feeding issues or sensory stimulation issues.I loved the inclusion of and reference to current science re: the infant gut microbiome. The author's tone is so encouraging and accepting - at this point everyone knows breast is best, but we sure are thankful that formula is an option when we need it! The author clearly takes this opinion as well; doing everything possible to support the breastfeeding relationship, but recognizing that sometimes formula can be a lifesaver for mom and babe.I really love the author's advice to include your baby in your life and not set up your day around them and their sleep and feed schedules. This has been so freeing to me, and my daughter seems much happier since we've started doing it. I suppose parents of multiples already know this to be true...having no option to but to carry on with life as normal - baby in tow!I love the inclusion of some anecdotes; they are wonderful - and the book ends on a particularly good one! .. but I love that the whole book isn't anecdotes (like Wonder Weeks! Ahh!)This book hits on all the major concerns to new moms in the first weeks - breastfeeding, sleeping, mental health, scheduling - and does it in such a delightful and encouraging way...I will definitely be recommending to new mom friends!

I tried one thing of what Dr Pamela said in one of her case study that I read by chance when my baby was 6 weeks old and crying a lot, it worked the very same day that I started going out with my baby, she slept amazing that night and ever night since then just by following the advice of taking care of her sensory stimulation and allowing naps to happen when baby needs them. I decided to read her book to know what else she suggests and it make a lot of sense to me. I am even glad that I found this book because it takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders to follow practices that I didn't fell comfortable with.

Nicely written, easy to read.I sleep-trained my daughter 3 times and gave up at the third try. Too heart broken to let her cry. With my younger son I wanted to find a gentler way to get him some good sleep, and I am glad that I came across this book. It assures me that I can listen to my heart, I don’t need to follow rules and routines. I can breast feed him how ever number of times I want and to breastfeed him to sleep. It’s ok to hold him as long as I want. Learnt a new thing about neurostimulation is also required for good sleep. Highly recommend this book.

This book helped me immensely in finding joy in taking care of my newborn, along with support from my family, of course. Dr Pamela Douglas provides many anecdotes of frazzled parents---whose struggles with babies' feeding and sleeping challenges I can totally relate to---and solutions she suggested to ease their burdens. I recommend this book to first-time parents who need a confidence boost.

This book is so helpful and just makes sense. Taking care of a baby should be enjoyable and this book helps us come back to enjoying our baby.

By far the most comforting book I read during my pregnancy and returned to throughout the first year of my babies life. It comprehensively covers everything you need to know while empowering you, as the parents, to trust yourself and the decisions you make. This book takes all the stress out of the first few months of life and leaves you feeling calm and competent. I routinely gift this to any expecting Moms I know and everyone absolutely loves it.

anyone who has a baby or knows a baby would delight in reading this book. through case studies, the author really demonstrates how much our little babies are real human beings and how following their cues and codes fosters the health of the baby and the family.

Great book. I wish I discovered it before my baby arrived. Gave me a peace of mind on a lot of things and made me more comfortable on how I am responding to my baby, contrary to many other mainstream and loud baby recommendations out there.

The discontented little baby book shows how the evidence supports parent’s instincts around feeding, sleeping and responding to crying, with clear recommendations and compassionate real-life stories. Dr Douglas aims to help parents enjoy their babies as much as possible. As the title suggests, this is a book that deconstructs much of the advice parents are routinely given and offers evidence-based, holistic (viewing mother’s health, baby’s health, feeding, sensations and sleep as interrelated and inseparable) and straightforward guidance.Although this is not an academic work, it is based on Dr Douglas’ 15 years of research and practice as an Australian GP and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). There are selected references for each chapter and an index.Douglas takes a common parenting issue, looks at the advice parents often receive, applies the evidence and gently supports the parent to find a way forward that is right for them. For example, a mother comes to see her with a 4 month old who wakes frequently in the night. Parents are often told that encouraging daytime naps will lead to better nighttime sleep and the mum has been struggling to follow this advice. In fact, Douglas’s analysis of the biology of sleep shows that this recommendation is mistaken. Furthermore, she recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their caregiver, including daytime naps.What is most striking about the case studies is the quality of Douglas’ non-judgmental, compassionate, information-giving. She sets the standard for all the interactions parents should expect from professionals by demonstrating gentle, respectful and empathic support. For example, she may suggest an alternative response but reminds parents, if it doesn’t work for them, they can always go back to what they’re currently doing.Douglas carefully challenges a number of traditional pieces of parenting advice such as ‘babies should not be fed to sleep’. The science clarifies what a parent innately knows; that falling asleep with a full belly is a biologically driven need. Her evidence-based recommendations are simply stated. For example, ‘you don’t have to teach your baby to sleep, simply remove any obstacles to healthy sleep’. She clarifies that the real issue with delaying responses to babies’ cues is that it leads to confusion in communication between baby and parents, which affects parents’ confidence. Support for the mother’s wellbeing is central along with the acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of feeding, sleeping and the mother’s mental health.If you like having your understanding challenged and your instincts confirmed; you will love this book.As a UK postpartum doula this is an invaluable tool for empowering new parents to trust their instincts.

The book follows the format of a chapter of suggestions/advice/information about a specific aspect of baby crying, followed by a chapter with an anecdote about a patient whose baby experiences those problems.Personally I disliked the style of writing of the anecdotes and thought the book would have been just as good — better even — without them. But the suggestions and advice are really useful and I would definitely recommend the book.There's no easy one-size-fits-all approach; she looks at different things that could cause a baby to cry and parents can see if any of those seem to work. Even if none of the ideas quite fits there's also the idea that some babies are just more likely to cry possibly due to difficulties in the very early days, say with feeding. She says this tends to finish at about 16 weeks so that even if nothing really helps with your baby's crying (though there's lots to try) time will. She also has lots of incredibly useful advice on taking care of yourself and your relationship and your own feelings towards your little "wailing angel" during this time. Actually this part alone would be worth the cover price.I would definitely recommend it.

I absolutely loved this book. It's returned my confidence in myself and the bond between me and my baby.Forget scheduled feeds/play time /nap time.It's changed my whole perspective on being a mum.The only negative for me was that I didn't find it sooner! My baby is 6 months old so I'm not really the target audience but it still has had a huge impact on mine and my baby's relationship. We are both much more relaxed.

This book brings comfort and confidence at a difficult time, I just wish I’d read it before the baby was born and had it in those early weeks. Highly recommended

Fascinating and reassuring. A different way of thinking about infant behaviour and parenting. I would highly recommend this book for all new parents.