Rating: 
Summary: fairly good resource
Review: I read this book after having my second baby. I looked at it constantly in the first three months, but after that it wasn't very useful. I would recommend it as a new-mommy guide, but not the ONLY guide you should have. After the first three or four months there is not a lot of detail and the book basically just tells you what major milestones may be occurring. I do like the details included for the first couple of months, though, especially the "baby personality" guide, which is something that I found lacking in other baby books but is very important for understanding your child.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good and very useful for any parent
Review: I got this book after having my daughter, a little over 2 years ago. I started reading it, often going ahead of her age, curious of when my daughter would be doing certain things (the book is divided in chapters, by month, and each month you have a list of activities that your baby is likely to be doing at that specific age). I also read the end section of the book, which talks about illnesses and injuries. At times I wondered why I was reading all that stuff, as my daughter was very healthy and I was a very careful mo, and always at home with her, so it was not likely that she would get hurt. But eventually, I found out how true it is what the philospher L. Ron Hubbard wrote: "Be ready for emergencies, for if you are not, you will have emergencies". One day my daughter, who was about 9 months old at the time, was crying desperately, very odd thing for her. Thanks to the information gotten from this book, I was able to prompty "diagnose": she had an inguinal hernia. I called the children hospital and described the signs and symptoms (the book also teaches you what to take note of and what to describe when you call the emergency room, for speedy handling) and the doctor said it sounded like I was right and to bring her in. We did, and the matter got handled over the weekend, then I took my daughter home. When I brought her to her Pediatrician for a check of the area, a week later, he congratulated me for the way I handled it, and told me he was really proud of me being able to diagnose it correctly and getting it handled accordingly, saving my daughter a great deal of pain and complications. And all thanks to this book. Had it been one of the usual baby books, biased by one current of thought only and hard to read and understand, I wouldn't have read it! Instead it's very informative, easy to read and understand, and on many important issues (breastfeeding/bottle feeding, sleeping schedule and habits, etc) it offers several viewpoints and info on the various currents of thought.
Rating:
Summary: An OK reference
Review: This book has always been toted as the "bible" for new Moms. I am a doctor and read many books that I then refer and lend to patients. I am also a first time Mom. I found this book to be simply an ok reference. It gives you a lot of basic information but doesn't really get into detail about much, so many questions are left unanswered. As well it doesn't give parents a whole lot of different strategies for dealing with specific problems ( e.g. nighttime wakening). It gives a lot of detail about nutrition and balanced diet; however, it still recommends breast feeding to 9 months when we now recommend 12 months. The book that I find the most useful if you are just going to read one BIG one is The Baby Book by Sears. What To Expect is good but I feel it just doesn't give people enough information and/or alternatives for coping with things.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the Owner's Manual for your baby's first 12 months!
Review: I was surprised at the negative reviews for this book, it made me wonder if they had read it. I've used it through both of my children's first 12 months. I bought it after I asked 5 "mom" friends, "If you could only afford to buy one book for baby care, what would it be?" 4 of the 5 offered this book, and I completely agree. It's thoughtful, well laid-out, comforting, and informative. It gives you ideas, takes away your fears, and ENCOURAGES that all-important parental bond. I look at it for a checklist of items to cover with the pediatrician before every well-child check-up. I peek ahead to see "what's coming," so by the time my child hits a development level, I'm ready with appropriate toys, activities and attitude! The best thing about it: it lets me relax and enjoy my child, without undue worry. I LOVE THIS BOOK, I give it to every expecting friend. It truly is the "owner's manual" for your little one. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Hey, it's helped us a lot
Review: First time mother here...I've used this book every month since my son's birth a year ago. There are a lot of details the pediatrician doesn't have time to go into; right now I'm using the dietary guidelines for table foods. Yes, some earth mothers faint at the idea of letting a baby cry...and my goddaughter is a spoiled rotten eight year old who runs her parents' lives (instead of the other way around) because she's been cosetted and catered to every moment of her life. Let's be sensible here, folks. Most parents can determine whether a baby's cry is a hungry cry, a whining come-play-with-me cry, or a Help! I'm in pain cry.
Rating: 
Summary: don't waste your money, buy Sears' Baby Book instead
Review: This book focuses on the convenience of the parents. I bought my copy for one dollar at a garage sale, and it wasn't worth it. For example, it gives advice on how a parent can handle forcing a little baby to cry it out to sleep through the night. The advice? Use earplugs, white noise, unhook the baby monitor, etc., so YOU don't have to hear your baby scream in terror.Buy the Baby Book by Dr. William Sears instead. Dr. Sears had eight babies with his RN wife. He has excellent, practical advice that is compassionate towards babies.
Rating:
Summary: Inconsistent and unfounded
Review: I don't usually review things that I don't like, but in this case I make an exception. I really had a hard time with this book. As others have mentioned, there are a lot of inconsistencies. I wouldn't have such a problem with that if there was some evidence or research to back up one of the assertions, but this book has many statements that have nothing to back it up. When I turned to the Web to research a couple of the recommendations (such as the weaning at 9-10 months), I found a lot of research that went against the recommendations in this book. No parenting book can tell you everything you need to know, of course. But some books are better than others. If you do buy this book, temper what you read with your own research from other sources (such as AAP/WHO and other sources that back their statements with research). But even still, use that research to help you make your own parenting decisions. Blanket statements that "this is the only way" usually are a sign that they are not.
Rating:
Summary: NEW PARENTS THIS IS A MUST!
Review: I love this book. Most books I buy and read and never look at again. Not this one. My daughter is almost a year old and I am still using it as a reference. This book is broken down so you dont' have to read 100 pages at once. You read this month by month as your child grows. It helps to know what to expect. I would recommend this book to any new parent. It put a lot of my fears and worries to rest. By this book and become a confident parent!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I found this to be a disappointing follow up to their very good book on pregnancy. My biggest complaint is that their advice on language and how to talk to your baby is simply _wrong_. They suggest NOT speaking a second language to a young baby, and give a laundry list of "how to talk to your baby". Other complaints: The format does not work well for a busy parent trying to get quick information. They don't give a good sense of overall development.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have!!!
Review: This book is great. Being a first time mother, I didnt know what was normal, ok, or a problem. This book taught us so much the first weeks home. Almost every question has an anwser or opinion. You name it, they have it in there. We used it almost each day in the beginning. Yes, you do need to take your own judgement on some items. Its that way with all books, you read, advise and take own judgement. Do read a head a couple chapters, some things you may want to know about now as a newborn or month one may be in month two. Each child is different. GET THE BOOK! You wont be dissapointed.
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