I’m tired, you’re tired, we’re all tired.

“How can I get my baby to sleep?!” It’s one of the questions I get most often from new mothers.

I’m not an expert. So this post is the first in a series of posts we’ll be writing in which we speak to actual experts about how to support your child’s sleep habits through every stage. For the new mother nearing desperation though, here are a few resources to get you started that I found most helpful during those early days. I would personally recommend these books to anyone looking for help.

1.     On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep

This book by Robert Bucknam, M.D., is a lifesaver. More than ten years ago I was nannying for a wonderful family with a newborn daughter. Before the baby was even born they hired a sleep expert to set them up for success. This book was her first recommendation. I devoured it, hoping I would be able to lend a hand when the baby arrived. Then, when the time came to have my own children I did the same with them. My oldest is three, and friends still often tell me that they can’t believe how well my children sleep. Baby Wise is pretty regimented. It provides feeding calendars and step-by-step instructions for getting your baby on a schedule. If that’s not your thing, cool. But if you’re open to it, this helps so much.

2.     Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate With Your Baby

This book, by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau, is similar to Baby Wise. It has a clear method that it lines out for parents to follow for success with sleep and feeding schedules. However, this book also shares different baby personalities and tips for handling each one. That was my favorite part.

3.     Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year

This is another excellent resource by Denise Fields and Ari Brown. The book has been updated and reprinted several times, with new information in each printing. It’s broken up into every category imaginable and is structured more like an encyclopedia for early parenting. It’s makes it simple to find quick answers to questions like, “When should my baby be sleeping through the night?”

We could go on and on. There are so many wonderful books on early parenting to share. What are some of your favorites? Please tell us in the comments so we can include them on our next list!

Photo by Peter Oslanec.