Author Biography
Tracy Hogg trained at Great Ormond Street Hospital and continued her education in midwifery and caring for newborns at St James' Hospital in Leeds and St Catherine's Hospital, Doncaster. She migrated to the US in 1993 where her uncanny ability to understand and calm babies led to her nickname 'The Baby Whisperer'. Melinda Blau is an award-winning writer specialising in family and health topics. She is the author of seven other books and countless magazine articles and is the mother of two grown-up children.
Review
"We parents know that the transition from "baby" to "toddler" happens in a lightning flash. One minute you're dangling a rattle in front of a loaf of bread with eyes; the next minute the loaf of bread has climbed on top of the refrigerator with your keys. Tracy Hogg, a.k.a. the Baby Whisperer, feels the chaos. After much success counseling parents on infant development, Hogg returns with her sage advice now that our little bundles of joy have moved from cooing and clapping to whining and slapping -- not to mention pinching, hitting, and throwing food.
"The greatest gift I can give you is the ability to figure out for yourself what works best for your child and your family," writes Hogg in her introduction. True to her word, she encourages parents to pay attention to their particular toddler's needs and progress, rather than expect them to follow a clinical, "this-is-what-he-should-be-doing-now" approach. Eventually, all kids learn to talk and use a potty, Hogg promises. Parents can learn how to make it easier for their child by abandoning some of their own preconceived notions about where and when these natural processes should occur.
She addresses most of the common problems that arise with a toddler, like bedtime fussing, restaurant disasters, and those embarrassing grocery store tantrums. By reminding parents that it is up to them to set the rules and stick to their guns, Hogg empowers parents rather than criticizing them and gently reminds readers that most problems can be overcome with time, love, and patience. Aided by entertaining examples and anecdotes, she prescribes a balance of firm boundaries and loving praise. It seems that the secret of the Baby Whisperer is to build a sense of trust between you and your child, so you both can get through these challenging years with minds and souls intact." (Jessica Leigh Lebos, Barnes & Noble)