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How Babies Sleep

A Science-Based Guide to the First 365 Days and Nights

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Contributors

By Helen L. Ball

Formats and Prices

Price

$30.00

Price

$39.00 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Hardcover $30.00 $39.00 CAD
  2. ebook $15.99 $20.99 CAD
  3. Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $24.99

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The definitive new science- and data-led guide to baby sleep for new parents, from pioneering infant sleep researcher Professor Helen Ball.
 
How babies sleep is both exceedingly simple and excruciatingly complex. It is simple because it is based on a few straightforward biological principles that affect babies all over the world. It is complex because we have made it so. 
 
Over the past century and a half, we have tried to manipulate baby sleep to fit with the rapidly changing nature of adult lives. The mismatch we have created with our babies’ biology is framed as ‘baby sleep problems’, and infants are often ‘treated’ using behavioural and clinical interventions. But it is not baby sleep that needs fixing – only our understanding of it.
 
In How Babies Sleep, pioneering infant sleep researcher professor Helen Ball brings together cutting-edge science, anthropological insight and practical advice to provide parents with everything they need to help them confidently – and sanely – navigate the first 365 night-times with a new baby. It will teach you how to harmonise your needs with those of your infant, and empower you to reject approaches that make you uncomfortable and experiment with strategies that work for you and your family.
 
 

Genre:

  • "In a world where infant sleep is grossly misunderstood by parents and professionals, Dr. Helen Ball is the most important voice we have to bring clarity. We must support infants to have safe and healthy sleep, because their brain development and lifelong health depends on it."
    Greer Kirshenbaum, PhD, neuroscientist, doula, and author of The Nurture Revolution
  • "In a clear explanation of the science, Helen Ball has provided information and reassurance so families can understand their children’s individual sleep patterns and requirements. This book will help parents truly relax and enjoy their babies while getting the rest they need."
    Mary Francell, MA, IBCLC, author of the What Babies Need blog
  • “How Babies Sleep is a must-read for new parents looking for data to back up what their intuition has been telling them about their baby. Compelling, reassuring, and empowering, it will change everything.”
    Tiffany Belanger, author of Cosleepy
  • "How Babies Sleep fills me with hope for all the parents and babies who will be nurtured through the night by Helen Ball’s words. Cutting through the overwhelming world of baby sleep advice with science, insight, and compassion, this book offers parents the confidence to trust their instincts and rest easy, knowing their nighttime parenting is exactly what their baby needs. It’s a gift and a lifeline for families everywhere."
    Tracy Gillett, founder of Raised Good

On Sale
May 27, 2025
Page Count
336 pages
Publisher
Balance
ISBN-13
9780306834639

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Helen L. Ball

About the Author

Helen L. Ball is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre. She pioneers the translation of academic research on infant sleep into evidence for use by parents and healthcare staff via BASIS – the Baby Sleep Information Source website. She serves as Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health, Chair of the Lullaby Trust Grants Committee, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board. In 2013 Helen received an award for Outstanding Impact in Society from the Economic and Social Research Council, and in 2018 Durham University was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for her research and outreach on parent-infant sleep. This is her first book.
 
 

Learn more about this author