Rest Assured: The Heart and Science of Nurturing Baby Sleep

by Louise Herbert

A gentle way to get more rest and help your child develop healthy sleep habits

Rest Assured is, thankfully, not another sleep training book. This is a book for parents who want to help their babies sleep while staying true to the instinctual drive for parent-child connection, security, and attachment. Yes, it is possible. Author Louise Herbert—a certified expert in sleep science, lactation, and perinatal and infant mental health—offers a neuroscience-backed approach that supports each child's unique needs and biological development to promote safe, healthy, and restful sleep. Inside, you'll find practical guidance on trusting yourself and your child to find the middle ground between “cry it out” and “wait it out.”

Learn about the biology of healthy, safe, biologically normal infant sleep, and get a how-to guide for supporting natural, healthy sleep in a way that results in easier, more restful nights for the whole family. If you're in need of a way to help your baby sleep well, Rest Assured will ease your stress and equip you to navigate this pivotal parenting phase.

Get practical guidance on infant sleep that aligns with our human drive for connection and secure, thriving attachments Learn about the latest sleep science, what's normal as babies grow, and what they need to start consolidating sleep Support your child's emotional resilience, regulation, and cognitive development If you're struggling with your infant's or toddler's sleep patterns, this book gives you a nurture-based alternative to “cry it out” sleep training techniques.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley Kiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a mental health therapist and have spent the majority of my career working with foster and adoptive families. I specialize in attachment and connection based therapy and parenting. The science and education in this book is so helpful and needed for new parents. The way she wove it with storytelling is beautiful.

Even though I have a career in attachment work, I desperately needed to hear these words as a first time mom. This book made me feel so seen and validated and encouraged. For parents trying to lead with nurture in a world pushing independence, this book is a warm hug.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a fan of self help books, but this one was exactly what my postpartum heart needed. It is so beautifully and graciously written for those of us who have little babies who seem to need extra comfort. You can’t spoil a baby. We aren’t born being able to fend for ourselves. This book helped as a reminder that being a source of comfort is going to help regulate our babies in a world that is so full of dysregulation. I want to be my baby’s peace. Being close isn’t a bad thing and I can now feel more vindicated that my baby knows I am her safe place. I’m choosing not to sleep train in the “conventional” and this book has given me peace that it’s the right thing for both my daughter and for me. I want her to know that she can count on me to be her source of comfort for the rest of my life. The last two chapters in particular made me shed a few happy tears as my baby is currently feeding and napping in my lap. This was exactly what I needed during this season.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, stunning book

I found this book is so validating, and reassuring. It just makes perfect sense to me and has given me strength and confidence to continue doing what feels right (and easy) for me, my family, and my individual baby. Phrases like “a clingy baby is a normal baby” hit exactly as they were meant to. Thank you so much for writing this book. It’s the voice of gentle reason and logic. It’s also beautifully written, and made me appreciate this precious time even more so than I already did. I was full on blubbing at the end! Please write a toddler edition!

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for every new mom.

Louise offers a compassionate, evidence-based guide for understanding baby sleep that centers both science and maternal intuition. Rather than pushing one-size-fits-all solutions, she invites mothers to trust their instincts, honor their babies’ needs, and build a relationship with sleep that is rooted in connection, not control.

This book feels like a steady, reassuring voice in a season that can be overwhelming—reminding moms that they are not failing, and that responsiveness and love are not mistakes, but strengths.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I can honestly say this is the most beautifully written parenting book I have ever read. It is a beautiful mix of poetic storytelling mixed with such good informative brain based information. I can’t tell you how many times I cried reading this book. The perfect gift for any new mom. Just beautiful.

[Johnna Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a reassuring book for a mother, father, or loved one of a child who doesn’t sleep through the night. Every chapter was so educational and insightful on the science of sleep in general. I highly recommend for anyone who has a baby or toddler who isn’t sleeping “like everyone else’s”.

[Grace Rugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so encouraging & the exact words I needed to hear. Wild how many opinions there are on infant sleep & to have an evidence-based book rooted in biological development was refreshing.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A loving and gentle book for all mothers but lacked any solid advice. I realized I’d have to buy her $99 course on top of this book?! No thanks.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written, wish I’d realized sooner it’s not about tips or tricks. Just a warm comfort of “you’re doing the thing, hang in there”.

[Steph Ricci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give it 100000 stars?
This book means so much to me.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful book, the way Louise blends education with storytelling is so captivating.
I truly hope all new parents have a chance to read this.