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Here’s a bullet-point summary with notable quotes and key ideas from "How Babies Sleep" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka — a classic and respected book on infant sleep and parenting:

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How Babies Sleep — Summary & Quotes by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

• Sleep is a learned behavior, not an automatic one:

  “Babies are not born knowing how to sleep through the night; they must be taught the skills to soothe themselves.”

• Understanding your baby’s unique sleep patterns is key:

  “No two babies are the same; understanding your baby’s natural rhythms helps you work with them, not against them.”

• Sleep problems often arise from misinterpreting baby’s needs:

  “Many ‘sleep problems’ are really communication issues—babies signaling discomfort, hunger, or need for closeness.”

• Consistency and routine help build good sleep habits:

  “A predictable bedtime routine can be comforting and signal that sleep time is coming.”

• Daytime naps affect nighttime sleep:

  “Properly timed naps actually improve nighttime sleep; don’t skip naps hoping for better nights.”

• Parent’s responses shape baby’s sleep behaviors:

  “Responsive parenting helps babies feel secure, which in turn supports better sleep.”

• The importance of balancing firmness and flexibility:

  “Parents need to be flexible enough to respond to baby’s needs but firm enough to provide structure.”

• Safe sleep practices are vital:

  “Place babies on their backs to sleep, on a firm mattress, free of loose bedding and toys.”

• Sleep cycles in babies are shorter and different from adults:

  “Babies cycle through light and deep sleep every 50 minutes or so, leading to frequent awakenings.”

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