The Wonder Weeks. Eight
predictable, age-linked leaps in your
babys mental development
characterized by the three Cs
(Crying, Cranky, Clingy), a change ...
and the development of new skills by
Frans Plooij
One Of The Must Haves When It Comes To Baby Books!
Book Description: Original, groundbreaking way of looking at the baby¿s
brain growth and linking it to the difficult ¿clingy, cranky, crying¿ periods
where they want to be close to their caregiver. This connection had never
been understood or described until now. Usually, these difficult periods
drive parents crazy and guilt-ridden. This book reassures parents that they

are not to blame and that these difficult periods are part of normal
development all babies go through. Knowing that their baby can¿t help
being so difficult at times, parents can tolerate their baby¿s irritable
behavior much better. Based on extensive scientific research, The Wonder
Weeks describes in easy-to-understand terms the incredible
developmental changes that all babies go through during the first 60 weeks
of their lives. Now this book, which has sold more than 1 million copies
throughout the world in 12 languages, can help parents predict -within a
week or two- when to expect the behavior that marks a new change. They
will learn what is going on in the babys brain and read examples of how
other parents react at this stage and what they can do to help the child
during this transition. It includes: -Week-by-week guide to babys behavior -
An explanation of the markers for cranky, clingy, crying (The three C¿s)
behavior and how to react -Fun games and gentle activities you can do
with your child -A description of your babys perspective on the world
around him and how it can help you understand the changes hes going
through Research background: The authors studied chimpanzees in
Africa with Jane Goodall and found evidence for distinct ¿regression
periods¿ where infant behavior changes dramatically. This confirmed
research that others had found previously in 12 more primate species.
They returned to Europe to see if these regression periods could be
established in human infants. There, they started to interview and observe
mothers and their newborn babies in their homes weekly during the first 20
months of life. They found and reported on 10 regression periods. The first
study was based on 15 families. Later these findings were confirmed in 32
more families in the Netherlands, 20 families in Spain, 17 families in
Sweden and 30 families in England. The findings were reported in
scientific journals and presented in this general book for parents.
Reviews: This is a very practical and entertaining window into the babys
first year and a half. Vanderijt and Plooij have observed and found the
vulnerable times in an infants development that I independently came to in
my book Touchpoints (Perseus). The authors observations and practical
suggestions are wonderful. -T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., professor emeritus,
Harvard Medical School. ¿Vanderijt and Plooij¿s work on infant
development has enormous value for clinical use and scientific application.
Not only have they explained the periods of puzzling, difficult behavior in
infancy which so worry parents, they have also shown how these
behaviors mark developmental leaps and have described the stages in the
infant¿s understanding. Together, this gives parents and professionals
soundly based insight into babies¿ developing minds. What¿s more,
Vanderijt and Plooij have described the play and communication that work
best with babies at different ages and thus helped parents understand and
connect sensitively with their babies. This parent-child connection is the
major prerequisite for the development of secure, well-adjusted children.
The Wonder Weeks is essential reading for everyone who works with
infants ¿ pediatricians, social workers, psychologists, and, of course,
parents.¿ -John Richer, Ph.D., Dip. Clin. Psychol., consultant clinical
psychologist and Head of Pediatric Psychology, Department of Pediatrics,
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England.

Personal Review: The Wonder Weeks. Eight predictable, age-
linked leaps in your babys mental development characterized by
the three Cs (Crying, Cranky, Clingy), a change ... and the
development of new skills by Frans Plooij
This book literally saved my sanity! My son had had some medical
problems up until about 8 months old, causing him to not sleep well. At
around 8 months old he recovered, and, after a bit of work, started
sleeping BEAUTIFULLY. Just like I kept hearing he was supposed to
sleep. This lasted until he was 9 months old. Then, out of nowhere, the
peaceful going to sleep and staying asleep stopped. He would cry, he
would scream. He would wake up often in the middle of the night. He
became less cooperative and much more clingy. I didn't know what to do. I
thought this sudden shift in sleep pattern and behavior was caused by
something I had done. The pediatrician was NO help when I explained the
problem. Desperate for answers, I began searching the web. After typing in
"9 mo old not sleeping," I found the website [...]. This site talked about
sleep regressions, explaining that babies' sleep does not progress in a
linear fashion; they have sleep setbacks when they hit developmental
milestones. The website recommended this book for further information. I
ordered it right away. This wonderful, wonderful, book explains that babies
go through a variety of developmental milestones; some you can see, and
some you can't. Crawling, for example, is a milestone you can see.
Understanding patterns, unless you know what to look for, is a milestone
your baby will hit that you won't see. When babies hit these milestones, at
weeks 5, 8, 12, 19, 26, 37, 46, and 55, their sleep is effected and they
tend to become more fussy and clingy. The good/bad news is that you
can't really do anything about it, but their behavior and poor sleep is not
your fault. It is a natural occurrence in each child's life. This book is broken
up into chapters for each week. Each chapter lists the weeks fussy signs,
soothing tips, sleeping tips, what you can do to help, what milestone is
being reached, and top toys for that wonder week. Parent comments are
listed too. While the fussy signs are usually the same, and it would be
repetitive to read the book cover to cover, as much of what to expect is the
same week to week, this format allows the parent with an older baby to
pick up and read the chapter pertaining to his/her baby's age without
having to read the entire book the entire way through. I, for example, didn't
get this book until my son was 9 months old. Being so terribly sleep
deprived, the last thing I needed was to have to read an entire book. Also,
it is nice to have a refresher of fussy signs for each week.
This book should be required reading for all pediatricians!
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The Wonder Weeks. Eight predictable, age-linked leaps in your babys mental
development characterized by the three Cs (Crying, Cranky, Clingy), a change ... and the
development of new skills by Frans Plooij 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!