Raising Your Spirited Baby

“Sure to be a landmark book, Kurcinka’s well-researched advice may just be a sanity and sleep saver for new parents.” – Library Journal, starred review

“A powerful guide to help anyone struggling to raise a baby who is ‘spirited, ’ or ‘genetically wired to be highly alert and intense.’ Kurcinka’s helpful book offers abundant understanding and encouragement for parents.” – Publishers Weekly

“Dr. Mary explains that it is how you respond to your young baby that will shape their future behavior. The more energizing, rambunctious, or as she calls them “spirited” babies, is her specialization, and in this book she leads parents through a step-by-step approach to see, hear, understand, and enjoy every moment with their baby because how you interact, respond, and parent your infant, can make all the difference in their future temperament, relationships, behavior, and success.” – Dr. Tanya Altmann, nationally recognized pediatrician and mom of 3, author of Baby and Toddler Basics and What to Feed Your Baby

“If you have a baby who is more sensitive, alert and intense, Raising Your Spirited Baby has the answers you need. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed.D., brings her expertise in raising spirited children to help you understand and soothe your spirited baby. Her research-based, parent-tested strategies will help your baby sleep better and develop a calmer, more resilient brain and nervous system. I’ll be recommending this for all new parents.” – Dr. Laura Markham, founder of AhaParenting.com, and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

“Raising Your Spirited Baby is a gentle, encouraging guide to communicating and supporting babies who need a little more help in developing sleep patterns that work for them and the family. For parents stressed out and feeling guilty about their little one’s inability to sleep soundly through the night, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka offers practical support that will make everyone ‘sleep easier, ’ confident that baby’s good sleep habits are developing as a result of working with this invaluable resource.” – Nancy Peske, coauthor of Raising a Sensory Smart Child

“Raising Your Spirited Baby offers insight and relief into the often-very-fraught first months of parenting an infant. Over the years, I’ve come to know and care for many babies with this spirited ‘wiring’ - and now, Dr. Mary’s latest research and strategies will allow me to provide clear, useful guidance.” – Dr. Marjorie Hogan, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota

“As a pediatrician, and mother of spirited twins, I have seen first-hand how Mary’s wise words prove invaluable even years after your spirited infant has outgrown his basinet and pacifier. Understanding that a spirited child is wired differently is key to helping him achieve regulation throughout the day and the calm needed for sleep. With Mary’s gentle guidance, the things that right now seem out of control, unpredictable and exhausting will become the very things you cherish about your extraordinary child. Respecting that spirit will set your child up for a lifetime of healthy habits and success.” – Dr. Jill Funk Simons, F.A.A.D.

Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, EdD, is a bestselling author and internationally recognized lecturer and parent educator. Her books Raising Your Spirited Child; Raising Your Spirited Baby; Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook; Kids, Parents and Power Struggles; and Sleepless in America have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former director of one of Minnesota’s largest Early Childhood Family Education programs, Mary is the founder of the Spirited Child and Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles workshops. She resides in Bozeman, Montana, with her husband.