We asked readers of our weekly e-newsletter which sleep experts they trust most. A fair number of you said, “Nobody! Every child is different.” But many others have found good advice in that stack of parenting books that tends to accumulate on the bedside table.
Kim West, author of Good Night, Sleep Tight. Our first son was sleeping through the night at four months, waking once for feeding. Our second son didn’t nap much, and woke multiple times a night for cuddles (I once counted ten times in a night). This gentle sleep system saved our sanity and helped him learn go to sleep on his own within four weeks, with noticeable improvement even after the first few days. This is not for co-sleepers, unless you’re weaning the child into another bed, and has quick sections for each age for easy reference.
— Kathy Oaks, St. Paul
Dr Harvey Karp. The 5 S’s is a great method. Swaddling works well!
— Jill Hafstad, Maple Grove
Richard Ferber. I’ve used his book and found it useful and brought success to our issues.
— Lynda Whittemore, Eden Prairie
I trust Dr Sears most since he advocates for attachment parenting.
— Jill Petitt, St. Paul
I am an expert myself after having 3 kids!
— Sergei Dyakin, Lakeville
Our family physician She has been very helpful with our daughter who had sleep anxiety.
— Rebecca Sanchez, Wyoming
We trusted the doctors in the NICU. Schedule, schedule — a must for premature babies. Worked fabulous for us. Better than any book.
— Kristi Renner, Lakeville
Elizabeth Pantley, The No-Cry Sleep Solution. I trust her because her methods are intuitive and compassionate. No crying-it-out for my babies! — Erica Marston, Minneapolis
Supernanny. Her methods seem to work.
— Rachel Cuellar, Brooklyn Center
