Book Review: The No-Cry Nap Solution

Whether breastfeeding or formula-feeding their babies, all parents can benefit from The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems by Elizabeth Pantley. The book boils down to two fundamental principles I really like: (1) observe your baby’s cues and responses, and (2) do what works for you (short of forcing the baby to cry-it-out of course!) Most parents do those things instinctively and this book helps parents fine-tune their ability to identify their child’s needs, cues, and habits.

First the book covers the importance of naps and total hours of day and nighttime sleep. I knew that naps could affect mood and concentration. I was surprised however to learn that sleep deficits could lead to obesity!

Next the book identifies what is “normal” and sets realistic expectations for parents, especially when it comes to newborn babies. Parents can then chart the child’s current nap and nighttime sleep in order to see how and when improvements can be made.

Finally, the book offers a range of tips to deal with specific napping issues such as catnapping and nap resistance.

One napping issue of key interest to nursing mothers is the nursling who will not fall asleep without nursing. The author says that studies of naptime behaviors show that 73 percent of breastfeeding babies fall asleep nursing, and 67 percent of breastfeeding toddlers fall asleep nursing.

This is no surprise; the most natural way for a baby to fall asleep is sucking while being held. It is a comforting ritual and a magic spell for sleep all rolled into one.

Pantley is quick to note that a naptime “problem” is only a problem if the parent thinks it is! If you are content nursing your baby to sleep (and back to sleep!) or you enjoy holding your baby in arms or in a sling for naptime, then do not change it! The great thing about The No-Cry Nap Solution is that it will either help you accept and come to terms with your current situation or it will provide you with the tools to make the changes you want to see.

My tip? What does not work one day might just work the next! I never thought my baby would follow the easier-said-than-done advice to put the baby down while she is drowsy but still awake. In eight months she never drifted off to sleep that way (and if I tried to pat her or sing to her she looked at me like I was adding insult to injury!) Just yesterday my little 8.5-month-old darling snuggled under her blanket and fingered the satin trim as she peacefully eased into sleep. Even if she never repeats that incident again, it was worth trying it that once!

Do you have any naptime tips? Have you read The No-Cry Nap Solution and if so, what is your review?