Book Review
THE FUSSY BABY (revised edition)
by William Sears, MD and Martha Sears, RN
La Leche League International, 2002
Available from the LLLI Online Store
Reviewed by Molly Emmons
Crescent City CA USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 4, July-August 2002, pp. 142-143
Dr. William Sears has just
revised and updated his classic book The Fussy Baby, which is
designed for parents who have a very demanding infant. The revision
retains the comforting “voice” of the original with updates
throughout. Sears and Sears have added medical information where needed,
as in the section on gastroesophogeal reflux. The chapter on nighttime
parenting includes a new section on setting limits for toddlers.
Dr. Sears, a pediatrician
and father of eight, describes two of his children as former “high-need
babies.” He knows from experience that these babies require extra
love, patience, and attention.
This book explains why babies
fuss and suggests things that parents can do about it. It also discusses
how baby’s temperament traits and the caregiver’s responses
work together in the baby’s development and in the adult’s
growth as a parent.
The Fussy Baby distinguishes
between different kinds of babies and cries; describes symptoms, duration,
and probable causes of colic; and offers a new approach to colic, referring
to a colicky baby as “a hurting baby.” Sears encourages breastfeeding
whenever your baby wishes, “wearing” your baby in a carrier,
sleeping with or very near your baby, and responding promptly to all
crying.
The chapter on disciplining
a toddler helps frazzled parents understand why spanking and battles
of will do not work. The book presents a rational groundwork for a more
gentle style of parenting and provides a stress test for parents and
information on burn-out, which mothers of high-need babies sometimes
experience. Since high-need babies need extra attention and patience,
Sears calls for active parenting and more support and understanding
from fathers.
The book is easy-to-read
and contains many stories from real parents that will remind the reader
that she is not alone. The last chapter is a typical case study of one
couple and their high-need baby. Sears cites many studies to support
his approach to parenting the fussy baby, including those that warn
that some high-need babies can turn into “problem children”
if they are not given sufficient patience and support. Parenting a high-need
baby is demanding, but the message Sears delivers repeatedly is that
high-need children can grow up to be “sensitive, caring, trusting,
fearless individuals.”
Last updated Friday, October 27, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:35 UTC 2007.
