Bajaj begins by explaining how sleep enhances various aspects of your life by touching on topics like brainpower, immunity, mood and family harmony. Then, she delves into the Indian context where co-sleeping and bed-sharing are a common phenomenon. The title reads like reportage; the author has interviewed health experts and parents, too. "I worked with Dr Frank Lipman in New York for over five years. I learnt the gift of simplifying information from him enough so that patients don't feel overwhelmed to take action," Bajaj, 38, says, adding that her first job at a publishing house also helped her understand what structure the book needed. Sleep training, she says, makes for the juiciest conversation. "New parents have that glazed look in their eyes while talking about it; it's like reminiscing about climbing the Kilimanjaro."

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Bajaj writes that the bouncy womb sensation is important to babies, and baby-wearing helps facilitate bonding between parent and child. She used a cotton sling for her newborn daughters and switched to a structured carrier after three months. For uninterrupted sleep, she advocates a massage, bath, music and a "sleep smell" — a scented organic lotion for instance. She advises parents to not be worried about babies getting addicted to this support during the time.

Variety matters

When it comes to self-feeding, Bajaj recommends a platter comprising slices of banana, steamed carrot, watermelon, hard-boiled egg or omelet — thus exposing them to various tastes and textures. She also follows a principle called "Division of Responsibility in Feeding" drawing from Ellyn Satter's Child of Mine. The parent decides the content, location and timing of the food while the child handles how much and whether they eat.

Swaddle away

In order to restrict the newborn's limb movements as they get adjusted to life outside the womb, swaddling involves wrapping infants in thin blankets. Bajaj advises a breathable fabric like a muslin blanket or a velcro swaddle for easy operation. Swaddle only for naps and night sleep. Make sure that the head isn't covered. "Putting the babies to sleep in a sleep sack [wearable blanket] can also be really helpful. It helps them feel cosy and when they get older, keeps them snug so they don't climb out of the cot," she says.

Handy tools

A baby monitor not only helps parents track their baby's sleep activity, but also gives them a sense of security. On a holiday, Bajaj used WhatsApp video chat as a makeshift baby monitor. Another helpful tool is a white noise machine that generates noise having many frequencies with equal intensities, which has a calming effect. Bajaj also uses a free white noise app called Sleep Pillow. She has also outlined sample daily routines for age-appropriate sleep patterns in the book.

Baby dos and don'ts

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