Few parents of babies have hours to spend reading any book from cover to cover, so I've designed this one for people who have only five minutes a day to concentrate on anything but their fussy babies. The book contains brief, comprehensible explanations and plenty of charts to speed up your search for answers. In the margins you'll find comments from other parents about their fussy babies, and some wise words from medical researchers and practitioners on every aspect of babies' crying and sleeplessness. The last two chapters are meant to help you sustain yourself through what may well be the most challenging time in your life.

One mother told me, "If my baby is going to suffer, I don't want him to suffer alone." Your baby shouldn't suffer alone, and you shouldn't, either. May this book provide the knowledge and solace you need so you can in turn help your baby to feel pain-free, comfortable, and well-loved.

• If your baby is sucking his fingers or fist, he may simply be hungry. Try feeding him.

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