The Continuum Concept: In Search Of Happiness Lost (Classics in Human Development) Paperback – January 22, 1986

I have read this book at least three times, and have bought this book for friends at least a few times as well. I really love it. Even though you can tell at times that it was written in another era, the main story and message is really really cool.
I was very worried about being a mom when I was pregnant with my little girl. Everything I had seen about motherhood looked so commercial and high tech, and miserable. I didn't know how my personality would fit with being a mom. I read this book during my last trimester for the first time, and all of the sudden everything kind of made sense, and I didn't feel like I needed to worry so much anymore. All I needed was my baby, my arms, my breast, and my instincts. Knowing this was felt very liberating. And the idea of continuing to be an adult--doing adult things and carrying on with my life--but now with my baby at my hip observing me, just made a lot of sense.
After reading this book, and others like it, I decided to carry my baby ('babywearing") through my little girl's babyhood, and cosleep etc. My little girl is 4 years old now. We still go through all of the normal difficulties of a young human being coming into her own emotions etc., but all of the really frustrating moments are offset by a very strong and very deep bond that we have, which always bring us back to that harmony we felt as a mother and baby. I really believe that the strength of our bond is due in part to the fact that I carried her so much, and slept beside her, and had her in contact with me through the bulk of her babyhood. Carrying my baby during her babyhood was such a beautiful and special experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Carrying our babies only makes sense. We're primates after all. And it's in our DNA to be carried as an infant. It seems that sometimes the simplest and most obvious solution is also the most right one.

The only criticism I have of the book, is that it unfolds this beautiful vision of motherhood, but is pretty short on details as to how to actually make that work in modern day life. Which is fine--it's not a parenting book per se. In the end I felt like it was important not to get obsessed with the idea of having someone to tell you exactly how to do everything. But instead to learn to listen to my instincts and figure the rest out on my own.

But a word of advice to expecting moms who are serious about implementing babywearing... I bought a ton of different carriers to help in babywearing and tried them all... slings, wraps, ergo, moby, bjorn, mai tai, babyhawk...etc. And I found some I really loved and used all of the time. But here is the thing... If you plan on trying to carry your baby most of the time, like Jean Liedloff recommends in this book. YOU ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF YOUR BACK!

I was a seriously dedicated babywearer-- but I will be honest. My back and neck went out about every 3-4 months carrying my baby as much as I did.
BUT...there was a couple of reasons for it (which I learned in the process). And if you do it right, you don't have to ruin your back. Once I figured this out my back has stopped going out and is completely fine. They are:

1. You need to stop using the baby carriers as soon as the baby is strong enough to hold it's head up, and grip a little with it's legs on your hip. The slings, and wraps and ergos are great, because they help you hold the young "floppy" baby so you can stabilize that little floppy body with one hand instead of two. So you at least have one hand free, maybe two. BUT-- don't get stuck on them. No matter how good they are--they will concentrate all of that dead weight on specific areas of your back and neck. And the static strain WILL eventually do a number to your back. Once the baby is stronger and better at clinging-- you need to cut loose from the carrier, and just hold that baby with your hip and arm. Your arms are going to have to get a lot stronger and trust me--THEY WILL GET SUPER STRONG. But you've got to cut out the carrier, and just adapt without it. When you are using just your arms--it's crazy--but the weight distribution into your arms, and the more natural way you shift their weight around-- you're back doesn't get a beating at all. Just your arm muscles. And they adapt and get super strong, so it's not such a big deal anymore. YOU NEED TO DITCH THE (beloved) CARRIERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

2. You need to develop proper back posture. Period. One of the main reasons that these beautiful mamas in these indigenous cultures can do all of this stuff with a baby on their hip--is because they have this very old-world perfect (and beautiful) posture. You need to read a book called "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back" by Esther Gokhale. She is super highly recommended. Her work follows indigenous cultures and shows how their almost zero incidence of back issues stems mainly from their absolutely perfect posture. The problem, however, is that none of us know what perfect posture even is anymore, because none of us see it. READ HER BOOK. It's awesome. And will change your life back-wise.

I received this book while I was pregnant, in 1992 and it absolutely opened my eyes to the wisdom of other cultures and childrearing practices that help us become more positive shapers of our children's behavior, and less like "protective police." Our western culture, I believe, has erred recently on the side of managing too much on behalf of our children, which tends to show up as dependent, unable to take adult responsibility, emotional immaturity, and entitlement. This book was a life-changer for me, as my whole perspective shifted - for the better. My now 21 year old daughter is highly independent, responsible, uses good judgment (most of the time) and knows who she is and how to function in the world. Now I can't give all the kudos to this book, because she is who she is, and I also am a fairly mindful, attuned parent. But this gave me a great head start. I now give it as a gift to anyone close to me who is expecting their first child.

Jean Liedloff gets it. Explains so much about what modern European-derived culture has to learn from "primitive" cultures. Will give new parents the confidence to trust their instincts, and a great overall approach to parenting. Not to worry: it's not filled with specific directives, just broad strokes about how "primitive" folks raise their children and live in community. Incredible stuff for us "moderns" to learn. Will explain a lot to those who do not have children, also: about how our early babyhood has effected who we are as adults. It's a classic, and the best, in my opinion.

Yay! A book about the truth of baby care and how crucial it is to their emotional, spiritual and mental well being!! Unlike anything out there, and I'm grateful to have the privilege of reading it. It is my "baby bible". Prouder than ever of my 9 month old's milestones of emotional health, it's just not always easy to do living in western culture where there is not many ppl around to play with her and help me. But i like how she looks at a child as a young person and not Just a baby doll to dress up and coo with. They Need a learning environment and healthy role models. They learn by watching you. I love this book!!!