Customer Reviews

The Wonder Weeks. How to stimulate your baby's mental development and help him turn his 10 predictable, great, fussy phases into magical leaps forward

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Out of the many baby books I've read this is hands down the most useful. The information is excellent and makes me wonder why it's not readily available (outside this book ie on websites). Wow, when read it it's like I got the AHA moment and a glimpse into my daughters brain.

Some have complained that the dates are off for their child. They give a range/approximation and as well one thing to consider is that you need calculate from your baby's due date. So parent's of preemies or late babies, keep this in mind.

What I really enjoyed was: (a) The activities listed that you can play with your baby during each stage to help them learn faster, and (b) the parents' experience which helped me realize that I'm not alone in how I feel.

I will say though if anyone is for the CRY IT OUT method they need to read this book. Even though this isn't a sleep book it gave me the insight to realize that I will never use the cry it out method when I know that my baby is going through a developmental phase and needs moms comfort and support more than ever; that would just be torture.

Have recommended this book to several friends who also loved it and will continue to recommend to new parent's as the one must read.

If I have only enough money to buy one book for a new parent, this is the book I get them. I have yet to meet a parent who didn't wonder why their baby suddenly got fussy, stopped sleeping 'right' (or slept worse!), refused food, seemed to want to be held constantly... were they 'spoiled?' did we do something WRONG? AHHHH! And here, the answer - it isn't you, it is normal brain development, hang in there and watch for the fantastic new things your baby will understand in just a few weeks!

I first learned about this research back before it was translated to English, and scraped by with my sanity (and less fretting!) on just a few notes translated online. Having the book available is so much better! Being able to look ahead on the calendar and say 'oh, shoot, two weeks from now may not be a good time, hmm, adjust schedules'? So much better than being blindsided by the sudden-who-took-my-baby-and-left-me-this-changeling reaction! :)

It's even nicer to be able to see how long the fussy stage is likely to last. I can hang on better if I know it isn't a permanent condition. I can't emphasize enough how useful it is (especially for first-timers) to know that I didn't do something wrong. I've had people see my baby in a fussy stage all clingy and say 'oh, do you stay home? you've spoiled him, he's not used to being put down!' and then when they find out I was working turn around and say 'oh, so he just MISSES you' - uh, guilt trips either way you go? Nice to be able to say, 'nope, just the normal fussy stage for X weeks, his brain is learning about Programs (or whatever), there's a lot of changes going on inside there!'

Nothing parents need more than more sanity and less guilt. Bonus, ideas on how to play and interact in ways that 'fit' easily into the phase going on, supporting the development underway. (And no, not 'go out and buy' or 'spend hours focusing on...' but 'hey, this is a good time to just sit on the floor with them' or 'telling them about what you're doing is interesting for them right now' type stuff - we'd figure it out eventually, but a few hints don't hurt!)

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, and so very glad it has extended - I remember getting to the end of the previous one and going AAHHHH WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT STAGE?! I need more! :)

This is one of the few books I read as a new mom that built me up instead of making me feel inadequate. The point of the book is to describe the mental growth spurts that your little one will go through, to help you recognize the signs of those "mental leaps," and to help you cope. Growth spurts have great after effects but they are pretty stressful at the time and as a new parent it can be so daunting to feel like you finally figured your baby out and then here she goes changing again. This book helps you understand her behavior and confirms what your instincts are probably telling you to do but which other sleep/feed training books may be advising against.

The authors have a nice website too with some of the same information, but for me, the additional information in the book was well worth the purchase!

I'm a first- time mother and admit to being slightly overwhelmed by the challenges of parenthood - as soon as I think I've figured out what my little baby needs something changes in her world and we have to start all over again. This book helps identify and explain the developmental reasons behind the changes in babies' behaviour in their early years and I have found that my baby's "wonder weeks" have, to date, occurred in line with the schedule described in the book. The recommendations for age appropriate activities which parents and carers can enjoy with babies to help them get through the difficult weeks are very useful, as are the lists of age appropriate toys. My only criticism is that the book sometimes repeats information in the different chapters. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book.

NEW EDITION ROCKS!

What I like about this book is that it is not a parenting book, per se, and it doesn't lecture on how to raise your baby. Instead, it really gets to the core of what's happening with my baby by explaining mental developments (they call them leaps), pinpointing when my baby will go through these leaps based on what week he's in and what I/we can expect. It also doesn't say you HAVE to do this or that, but it does make suggestions of games and ways to help my baby (and me) through the transitions and make the most of them.

I also like that it includes comments and experiences from other parents. There is something really comforting to read them and know that what my baby is going through is normal. I'd definitely recommend it.

Of all the books I read in preparation for our baby's arrival, this is hands-down the most helpful. Yes, we wanted to build good sleep habits for him; yes, we wanted to make responsible health decisions for him. But this book explains why all of that goes out of the window at certain points and my cooing darling is suddenly screaming unconsolably, fussy and barely sleeping for days on end.

When you're pulling your hair out, the facts that a) the fussy time was predicted, and b) the positive developmental changes are recognizable in your baby enable you to hang on through the phase. And at three in the morning, it is comforting to know that this is happening *to* my baby, it's not something he somehow dreamed up to make my life miserable. =)

This is a reference you will want to have on hand, so you can read each section as your child reaches that stage.

If I could give Wonder Weeks more than 5 stars, I would! This is probably the best baby book I have purchased, and I have a ton! My baby is very sensitive to change, so during these mental leaps, he is a handful. But, it's so nice knowing WHY he acts like he does, when to expect it, and knowing how long these fussy periods last. I am going to start putting this in a gift basket for every new mom I know. They should put these in going home kits for moms at the hospital too. This book has been more helpful than the 'standard' baby books. So far, my baby has started and stopped these leaps exactly when the authors predict, practically down to the day.

The writing style is excellent as well - the authors don't pander to the audience, but they also aren't overly technical and scientific. They aren't arrogant, and don't tell you how to parent your child. They do give some recommendations for games and activities to help make it through the leap, but they stay away from the parenting debate, which is a real breath of fresh air.

This book was suggested to be my a mum in my mothers group after finding the iphone app (also very helpful) since then we are reading the book, have joined the facebook page and also set up an alert through the website as to when my son is approaching a 'leap' this simple and easy to understand book gives insight to your babies development outside the standard growth spurts.

I got onto this book once my son was about 4 months old, I regularly keep a diary when I notice him doing new things, and this book has been great in helping me understand whats happening for him when these new skills are being developed. Its like a light went off..'so that's why he wont let me put him down!!'

A must read for all parents who are interested in their babies development, and ways to understand their moods and fussy periods better!

I got this as a gift and think that it should be given to every new parent as they leave the hospital with their little bundle of joy. The first few weeks will be bliss as you and your baby get to know each other, but just wait until they hit the first developmental leap at about 5 weeks. It explains why even the most happy baby is suddenly a screamer and then, again, as sweet as can be. Turns out that all babies are on very specific tracks when it comes to mental development, which is pretty cool if you think about it!

The Wonder Weeks will help save your sanity and let you know that there is nothing wrong with you or your baby - what they are going through is not just "normal," but really pretty brilliant. According to the author's research, all babies make leaps in mental development at certain, predictable times during their first 20 months. With each leap, he sees the world with a new perception and this stirs up everything he thought he knew. Sort of like going to sleep in a black and white world and waking up in one that is technicolor! Very frightening for a baby and can have an impact on his/her mood, sleeping and eating patterns. And I love that the extended edition takes you right up to and into toddlerhood.

Using the book as a guide, parents can be better prepared - often within a week or two - when to expect the fussy behavior that marks a new change in their baby's development. In fact, every new parent (or grandparent, or auntie) should read this book!

Note: I read the intro to this book and the section related to my child's age and skimmed other sections.
I am glad I checked this book out from my library before purchasing it. While the information about what your child is experiencing is somewhat interesting (otherwise I would have given it 1 star), the tone of this book is downright awful. Some of the information also is just plain contrary to what we know about child development. For example, when the authors (anthropologists and behavioral psychologists - not child development experts!) say that babies might experiment with rough and gentle touch, and things like pinching they say, "If she experiments like this she knows perfectly well what she is doing." I don't think so. It is appropriate to teach your baby that it hurts, but they are not hurting you inentionally. They also talk in other sections of the book about babies being "manipulative." But what I like least about the book is the parent comments. I know they are supposed to help you feel like you are not alone if you get frustrated sometimes, but the tone of the comments is overwhelmingly negative and sometimes bordering on abusive. There is one where a mother gets so frustrated with her 37 week old baby she shouts "Now shut up!" at him. She goes on to say "his head drooped, as if he was genuinely ashamed of his behavior." There is no way that a 37 week old feels "shame" and if you are so frustrated that you are shouting at your baby you need some help! There are also multiple comments in the book about getting so frustrated or "disgusted" with a baby's behavior that the baby was just put to bed. I get that sometimes parents need a break, but again if this is a regular occurence for you, you should be looking for more support. By including all the comments it is almost as if they are normalizing or condoning this type of interaction. I recommend getting your child development information elsewhere.