[.ca] The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact With Your Baby ... (ISBN 0805053549)

My favorite parenting book!:
I am a psychologist, specializing in work with children and families. I'm currently not working, because I'm staying at home with my two daugthers. I have read countless books on the subject of babies, children, families, etc., and have found this book to be the most incredible I've ever read. I truly believe this book will make a difference in your life, and the lives of your children. It's worth every penny, and then some.

Keep your child close and comforted.:
I read this book while pregnant with my first child three years ago. It's eye-opening to contrast the United States with other cultures that promote almost constant contact with their babies. The author shows how our society's emphasis on placing our babies in "containers" (strollers, pumpkin seats, swings, etc.) instead of holding them more often, leads to sensory deprived, more isolated children. There is information on the benefits of the close contact of breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and helping your children become securely attached (think Dr. Sears.) This book is a wonderful comparison between the laid-back childrearing practices of most of the rest of the world and prudish America. You won't want to put your baby down after reading about the wonderful benefits of the vital touch.

Just one word : WOW!!!:
This is an AWESOME book! I bought this due to subject, and reviews. Keep in mind I LOVED my social anthro. class in college! LOL! But seriously, it reinforces our "attachment" choices, but not based on someones opinions, but based on evidence based research! It shows our culture verses more contact oriented cultures. We are suffering. Or, actually, our children are! I love Dr. Sears, but this, well, this is exactly the reinforcement I needed. I read so many "co-sleeping CAUSES problems" or you NEED to start a loose schedule, or your children will not be well adjusted", that they were clouding my decisions-making me doubt my choices. But OK, here is a concept, we ARE animals. And yes, many moms have jobs, but that doesn't mean you can't make better choices that will benefit the child. Time for America to stop thinking in the vein "oh, if you hold that baby too much, you'll spoil it". Uhm, DUH! You'll feel better if you need reinforcement for current "contact parenting" and you will get some solid knowledge about how you are attached to your child can affect it socially, emotionally and physiologically. This, I think is a MUST read for anyone wanting some true knowledge about the basics in the way we conect with our children.

Excellent Book:
Part 1: The Power of Touch Chapter 1 Parenting in the Machine Age Chapter 2 Newborn Harmony Chapter 3 Holding Holds Babies Together Chapter 4 The First Connection Chapter 5 Rock of Love Chapter 6 Sensory of Nourishment Part 2: Out of Touch Chapter 7 Container Craxy Chapter 8 Sensory Overkill Chapter 9 The Body Forbidden Chapter 10 Breast or Bottle? Chapter 11 Co-sleeping Taboos CHapter 12 Crybabies Part 3: Getting in Touch Chapter 13 The Self-Reliant Supermom Chapter 14 Finishing Touches Some of the many topics discussed in this book: Independence vs. Interdependence Bonding Touch and Growth Why Massage Creates Magic Attachment: THe Mother Father's Role Influences on Attachment Newborn Sensory Preferences Childhood Sexuality Breastfeeding Benefits

Doesn't seem to be based on hard science:
I bought this book because my son refused to sleep in his crib -- only when being held or in bed with us. I wanted a book that would basically tell me that it was better that way. This book did that. I felt, however, that her theories were not based on hard science but instead on anecdotal evidence. I still think carrying and holding is the best for a child, but I would like to see a book that supported this theory with more experimental evidence. This book also seems to be a little dated since nearly all hospitals now support breastfeeding and rooming in.