Customer Reviews
Opinion dressed up as science - By: Uncarved Block, 21 Oct 2008 
Sue Gerhardt's style of argument can be summed up as follows. Some of the people with problem A also have B. One possible explanation for B is C. C might be linked to experiencesin early years. Therefore problem A is caused by not being loved enough as a baby. This is used to explain every problem from asthma to unemployment.
Starting with the simple & uncontroversial point that babies who are cared for tend to do better than babies who are not, Sue Gerhardt's obsession with her view of how mothers should behave towards babies distorts everything from then on. She only quotes bits of scientific studies that she can use to support her ideas, ignoring contradictory evidence even if it isin the same studies she quotes. She hardly ever considers any alternative explanation than her own & even on the rare occasions she does raise a doubt, she dismisses it simply because it doesn't fit with her view of the world.
Some scientific studies quotedin the book have only the most tenuous connection to the paragraphs preceding them & seem only to have been included to pad out the references page & create the impression that this book has some basisin science. Her `case studies' sound more like excerpts from trashy novels than scientific studies. I think Sue Gerhardt's approach to proper research is typified by the fact that she feels qualified to make judgements about the families of the killers of James Bulger based on what she had readin the newspapers.
Most people I know who have started this book haven't even been able to finish it because they have been so appalled by the sweeping generalisations, stereotyped views & idiotic conclusions. If you want to read a book about child rearing, read one based on evidence rather than this collection of opinions written by a women who doesn't even appear to understand the science she is quoting.
Why love matters is a conversation starter - By: G. Carter, 10 Mar 2008 
Taking the book with me on the bus or at the Waitrose checkout or at the barbers shop or Sussex University its title attracts attention. In the brief encounters which follow I enjoy speaking to parents whose infants obviously enjoy what's going on with the adults. I'm able to affirm that the love care & attention they give the childin those early years do make a difference & will set her up for life. To older people, & I am elderly, I speak of the 'forgiving space' that Sue Gerhart gives mein which to understand my chequered life. As Kierkegaard said 'Life must be lived foward, but it can only be understood backwards.'
An eye opener - By: Mrs. K. Momberg, 22 Jan 2008 I'm expecting my first babyin Feb-2008. I was looking for books about babies psychology, it's true that there are many things you know by instinct but many others are part of medical research, also important to consider.
I read the reviews of this book & that made me buy it immediately!. I loved it since the beginning, although it gives lots of technical infoin the first chapters,I found it important as well, to understandin depth the rest of the book.
It's a great eye opener for all parents, parents to be, teachers & everyonein general, interested to understand babies & human behaviour... to improve our lives & the lifes of our loved ones.
100% recommended.
Rock solid scientific evidence and easy-to-folllow advice - By: Dr. Carlo N. Colacino, 20 Dec 2007 The book is great. It presents many scientific data without being boring or worse incomprehensible for lay-people & it gives plenty of good advice. I myself have a four month old son & I have greatly profited from the book. Many parents who come to visit my wife & me find my son sociable, smiling & happy. In my opinion this book is a must for parents & people who workin nurseries &in general with newborns & small children.
Little bit too technical - By: Mr. A. D. Leek, 04 Sep 2007 
I thought this book was good but I found it difficult to read because of all the references to brain chemistry. It is interesting to know how your behaviour towards your baby affects their development, & how it occursin the brain, but I found there was too much focus on this & not enough focus on how to love your babyin the right way. A lot of people have said it should be a recommended book for all new parents, but I think the 'average' parent would struggle to understand most of the terminologyin the book. However, I do feel more knowledgeable now I have read it & will never leave my baby to cry for prolonged periods due to what the book has told me, & now I love my baby as much as I can during the day & I do feel she benefits from it, she is a really happy baby. Perhaps a watered down version of this book should be available to new parents.
