Why They Cry: Understanding Child Development in the First Year

Seven major leaps in development are identified in a baby’s first year, these are stages when your baby may seem to be crying all the time but, which signal that your baby is making new discoveries. The book offers an understanding of this process and positive advice to parents.

"Some days when I'm at a low ebb, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing, especially when I have to cope with this constant crying. I'm not always sure whether I should let him cry or pick him up and give him a cuddle."

Every parent will identify with this statement at some point in their baby's first year. Almost all babies go through disturbing periods. In 'Why They Cry' you will find positive advice to help you and your baby through the difficult times and on to each new exciting stage of development.

Van de Rijt and Plooij's ground-breaking research has shown that babies grow by leaps and bounds, not just physically but mentally. They identify seven major leaps in development that all babies take at almost exactly the same time in their first year of life. These are the times when your previously happy baby may suddenly seem to be crying much of the time, but they signal that your baby is making new discoveries.

With this book you will learn:

which special signs tell you your baby is about to take the major leap forward in development · how to choose the right games and toys for each new stage · to recognise and applaud your baby's attempts to exercise new skills · how to chart your baby's own unique development in the first year of life

Most of all, you will gain peace of mind and confidence in your own ability to bring up your baby.

Hetty Van de Rijt, PhD, and Professor Frans Plooij, a husband and wife team, have research parent-baby interaction for 25 tears. Teachers and researchers at the universities of Amsterdam and Groningen in the Netherlands, they are also the authors of many successful books in the field of child development.