Customer Reviews

The Wonder Weeks

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I lost interest in this fairly quickly. The parents endlessly quoted in the book seem to be very irritated by everything their children do (eg really annoyingly wanting picked up....'needily' wondering where you are going).

I have a 12 month old and he gets cross when he's tired, when he's teething, when he wants something he can't have, when he's over being in the car seat, when he's bored, when he's hungry, when he's sick, etc. How could you ever tell its a 'developmental leap' that is causing it? You can never seperate out the other factors (which I believe in some types of research are called the confounding variables....not this type of 'say what you see' research though).

Of course babies develop and become clingier as they understand more etc, and 'regress' when they are sick/ unhappy/ teething.... I just don't see why its a movement with a 'pay per view' website. I'm sure it was an interesting PhD/ post-doc to do and read (if you put his name in google scholar he started off the research looking at chimp behaviour....and then 'found' the same in baby humans) but this is not 'fact' its just an interesting 'interpretation' of behaviour he sees in front of him. Great for a break from nap and feeding chat but nothing much else for new mothers.

Anyway, my son doesn't get on my nerves as the babies in the book seem to their mothers....I find my sometimes cross, mostly happy, dreadful sleeper, very busy little boy to be mostly a facinating joy..... But i suppose if your baby makes you angry alot maybe this would be a good book....I suppose a good 'take home' message from it could be 'your baby is not doing it (crying, following you etc)out of badness/ to make you angry'....? Its good for that I suppose

This is a useful book and helps you to identify the behaviours related to particular stages of development - both the new achievements and the things that make you feel like you're going backwards. Unfortunately it feels like the authors got a contract for a book twice as long as they had content for and so it quickly becomes very repetitive and the tales of parental frustration don't add enough insight to stop them feeling like page fillers. It's a shame because when it's focused it's a really good guide. I'm not convinced it offers 'magical leaps forward' so much as helps you understand what's happening with your baby. If you find the excessively long subtitle annoying you'll probably feel the same about the content - be prepared to skim read.

This is a fab book which has helped put my mind at ease at times of 'grumpy baby' as well as giving me some really interesting information about what my little one is learning and how his little world changes :) Would recommend this to any mum/parent but particularly those new to parenting. The iPhone app is a very good summary too

This book gives an amazing insight into the development of babies and toddlers and has helped me to become a more understanding and as a result happier mum! I recommend it to all new parents!

EVERY parent should be given one of these when they leave the hospital with their baby. An amazing insight into the 'leaps' that babies have in their development.

As a mother who found it stressful when her normally cheery and sociable baby turned into a crying clingy mess this book was my salvation. In a non patronising manner it clearly explained what was going on in the babies world and how hard it was for them to start re-processing the world once their brain was having one of these 'leaps'. The examples of behaviour to expect and the anecdotal stories from other parents were a relief to read, knowing that this stage would not last for ever and soon you would have your baby back! The paragraphs about how to cope with the anxiety and stress that this causes you as a parent were especially helpful, and made you feel less alone.

My daughter has just come out the end of her 37 week leap, and after 3 stressful weeks of a clingy, whiney and non eating baby I now have a new improved daughter back, trying to walk and progressing in a spectacular manner. I only read the relevant chapter a week into her leap and have to confess to crying with relief as I read the book and recognised all of the signs in my daughter.

Marvellous - buy it without delay. For the sake of your sanity!

the book is good but repeats lots of info in all chapters. if you need one chapter just buy one as you will be able to catch up. but still very cheap. the website which meant to send us reminders of the leaps never worked so we never get any reminders although registered for it

This book isn't pushy like I found with most baby books. It gives you different options. The developmental phases are like clockwork too. When they tell me my baby will be grouchy, she'll be grouchy. When I'm supposed to have better weeks, I'll have better weeks. Before I got this book I had no idea why, but it gives you a real insight into why your baby acts how it acts! Defo recommend to anyone! Even my babies daddy enjoys reading this one, unlike the other books I got before this one.

Such a useful guide for understanding the fussy phases that baby's go through. Our son has followed the projected path so closely and this is such a valuable resource to help ease any worries and then identify the breakthrough skills.

It is that good!!! Sadly it seems to be a book which people discover through word of mouth. So I think lots of people get it too late for the first leaps. But I'll be buying it for every friend and family member who is expecting from now on! If you haven't had a baby yet - you'll soon realise how significant 'fussy periods' are and how much worry they cause when baby arrives. Until you get this book which makes it all clear and takes all that worry away. Only wish it came as an audio book because it's tricky to find time to read it - all the more reason to read it while you're pregnant ladies! xo

What a brilliant book!
It really hels to understand changes in baby's moods and behaviour before they happen.
bought as a present and certainly would buy again