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How Babies Sleep

A Factful Guide to the First 365 Days and Nights

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How Babies Sleep

By: Professor Helen L. Ball
Narrated by: Professor Helen L. Ball
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

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 all babies the world over. 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 and award-winning 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.

‘Clearly written and engaging, with really useful suggestions that will help manage parents’ expectations and anxiety, How Babies Sleep is a must-read for anybody who wants to understand the first 365 days of a human life.’ Russell Foster, neuroscientist and Sunday Times-bestselling author of Life Time

‘Finally — the baby sleep book all new parents actually need.’ Amanda Ruggeri, award-winning science and parenting journalist

‘A refreshingly clear and nonjudgmental guide to the universal yet daunting challenge of infant sleep... Invaluable' Guddi Singh, paediatric doctor and presenter of BBC's of Babies: Their Wonderful World

© Helen L. Ball 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Infants & Toddlers Parenting & Families Physical Illness & Disease Relationships Sleep Disorders Infant
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As a new mum and Assistant Professor of Midwifery, I am delighted to recommend Infant Sleep by Professor Helen Ball. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author herself, and found her voice calm, engaging, and easy to follow—ideal for busy parents and professionals alike.

The book adopts an academic yet accessible tone, offering a well-researched critique of the evidence on infant sleep. What makes it especially compelling is the thoughtful blend of scholarly insight with personal anecdotes, which add warmth and relatability—particularly for those navigating the early days of parenthood.

Professor Ball traces the historical and cultural shifts in infant sleep practices, linking them to broader patterns in newborn care and even mortality. This historical lens adds depth and context, making the book both informative and thought-provoking.

The practical advice sprinkled throughout is valuable for both parents and midwives. The book equips healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidance, while also empowering parents to make informed choices about sleep arrangements that work for their family.

After listening, I not only feel more confident in my own parenting decisions around sleep but also better prepared to support and advise parents in my professional role.

useful read for new parents and midwives

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This book really is something remarkable. It's absolutely my new favourite baby book, a book I wish I'd had when I was a new parent and the first baby book I'd recommend, without hesitation, to ANYONE who is pregnant or with a young baby. Honestly, even anyone with an older baby! A wonderful balance of science backed and supportive. There is no judgement, but solid factual information and insights as to what the implications of those facts might be.

Despite my child being way past the age of the scope of this book, it's made me view some of my experiences in a new light, helped me understand some of the things I've felt, helped me let go of some doubts and regrets and made me feel liberated and validated in understanding baby biology and evolutionary programming as drivers of behaviour that is not naughty, difficult or a failure on my part in the least.

If you're a new parent, it will support you in your choices and help shut out the noise and external pressures to do what doesn't feel right. It will encourage you to get to know YOUR baby, to understand YOUR situation, and proceed accordingly. It will help you avoid wasting money and energy on unhelpful and sometimes even predatory sleep industry products and programmes that aren't right for you. It might sound scary at times but it will also help you accept things as they are and go into the night prepared and properly informed instead of second guessing or needlessly worrying.

If you're not a new parent, it will help you support any young families in your life in a meaningful way. If you are anyone with any interest in babies, just read it!

"the one" for baby sleep (and all things baby)

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Great step by step chapters explaining normal sleep and how to support babies and their families in adjusting to life together

Clear, evidence-based information for families and practitioners about normal infant sleep

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As expect this is a fabulous book. A great book for parents and an absolute must for any health professionals working with families with babies. So much more than a book about sleep.
As an ex health visitor I can not recommend this book enough and am really happy to be able to hand it on to our family's next generation of mothers and fathers.

A must read

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Fantastic book, with absolutely fascinating nuggets of information about baby sleep. Game-changing book for new parents (and also family/friends of new parents). Great insight to the history and science of baby sleep, and really helpful and compassionate.

Must-read book for new parents/parents-to-be

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