Rating: 
Summary: An answer for every question
Review: I have found "What to Expect the First Year" to be an invaluable resource as a new parent. I can't count the number of times I've referred to this book regarding my infant's behavior or physical symptoms. Oftentimes, I've thought, "they'll never have an answer for this silly question". But this book has never let me down. They've answered every imaginable question or addressed every concern I've had. I'm continually amazed by the depth of this book. As a new parent who has never before dealt with colic, baby acne, breastfeeding, and dirty diapers, I've been thrilled to find a resource that covers every imaginable topic. I'm relieved that I don't have to call my pediatrician with every little question; instead I always check this handy reference first.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide
Review: I was very surprised by the negative reviews of this book that I read here and decided to add my two cents for some balance. While the authors certainly have definite opinions on subjects like the family bed, they present some very clear and logical reasons for their positions. Further, having used this book extensively for the first 10-1/2 months of my child's life, I have had no issue with the information presented on nursing (which I still do) or getting baby to sleep through the night. The authors are not heartless, as some of the reviewers here would have you believe, and do not suggest that parents always let babies cry it out. That's ridiculous and I don't know how these readers got that from this book. I live in a town where we only have family physicians, no peditricians. The information in this book with regards to developmental milestones (which they are very careful to note are only guidelines with a wide range of what's normal), nursing (of which they are very supportive), how and when to start feeding solid foods, disciplining baby with heart, medical and first aid guidelines, stimulating baby to encourage development, and other areas is excellent. This book has been a real lifeline in the absense of a good pediatrician. As an overall guide, this book is truly outstanding and has been my main reference book. Additionally, there is excellent information dealing with premature infants, babies with special needs, postpartum depression, and sibbling issues, as well as other areas. Do the authors have definite opinions on controversial issues in baby care? Yes, but they do present thorough reasoning and facts in support of their positions. And if you don't agree, you can find information that supports your position on these issues! I am well-read and quite opinionated myself, but I found the book logical and not overburdened with propoganda. It is easy to read, well-organized, and thorough. This book could easily be your only guide for parenting in the first year of your child's life, although it makes no claim to be the definitive book on baby care. Obviously, I recommend it at least as a good addition to your library of books on the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: One Sided and insensitive
Review: This book means well but when children are concerned meaning well isn't enough. The book treats parenting as though there are answers to all the questions. It offers quick solutions to serious problems such as sleeping through the night. It advises parents to let their infants "cry it out". While this solution may be a choice for some, the book offers no alternatives. Other issues such as breastfeeding is made to sound stressful. I found that while looking for support this book makes you feel like quitting is best. Parenting is hard work with no easy solutions. If you are a first time parent this book is not the best option. It encourages you to follow the book rather than trusting yourself as to what is best for your baby.
Rating:
Summary: What to Expect the First Year, The Second Time
Review: My wife and I have used this book to prevent many trips to the doctor or emergency room. Although parents need to use their own best judgement, this book is an excellent guideline. It provides information on what the doctor may ask when and if you do have to go. We don't leave home without it. The only thing I would add is: BE PATIENT! Your child will appreciate it too.
Rating: 
Summary: Not nearly as valuable as the first book in the series
Review: My wife and I received this book along with its sister, "What to Expect When You're Expecting." We found the latter book to be invaluable during her pregnancy, and referred to it often. I cannot say the same about this one. While my wife was pregnant, when something unusual occurred more often than not we found a relevant entry in "Expecting;" to date, our experience with "First Year" is much more frustrating. The monthly tabulation of events and behaviors we should expect from our child has been quite accurate, but we have received similar lists from our pediatrician at every appointment. We have also received rather different advice from our pediatrician on a number of issues, such as sleeping with baby in the bed, when to introduce solid foods, etc. Perhaps I am writing this review too early (our child is only 4 1/2 months old); more likely, the subject matter of this particular volume is likely to encounter wider variations in experiences than pregnancy alone. Regardless, I find myself turning to this book only rarely, and getting something out of it even less; in particular, the doctrinaire nature of some of the authors' recommendations, which was first evident in the harping on diet in the first book, becomes less tolerable here. I can't say that I've read a lot of these books, but we beginning parents are probably better off dealing with our friends (the ones who have already had children, not the ones who think they know all about it) and our pediatricians than with books such as this.
Rating: 
Summary: Very hard on fathers
Review: See all the other comments about What to Expect In the First Year not being up to modern parenting. But on top of that, it's very hard on fathers -- it assumes that they're incompetent around babies and around the house, and will only be useful if mom teaches them how. For instance, one of its suggestions if mom is feeling overwhelmed after the birth is to teach dad a feel tasks around the house -- maybe with help he could learn to do the laundry!
Rating:
Summary: I cringed the whole way through..
Review: I liked the What to Expect When You're Expecting book, so I thought I'd take a look at this one. Boy, was I disappointed!! It gives outdated and inaccurate information on breastfeeding and sleeping with your child, encourages the "cry it out" approach and, overall, made me feed very sad for the parent who takes it to heart (and their children). There are some excellent references out there, like the Sears' Baby Book. Don't waste your money on this one!
Rating:
Summary: Very mainstream view of parenting.....not for me!
Review: I purchased this book while pregnant. As I read it, I kept wondering how on earth any of these ideas were reasonable: letting my baby cry it out in his crib alone? watching the clock to only allow him to nurse a few minutes on each breast? Where did these ideas come from? They certainly weren't the instincts that were inside of me! If we had allowed him to cry alone in a crib, he would have lost trust in us. If I had timed his nursing sessions, there would have been supply problems. Babies need to nurse on their own schedule and as long as they need to. No wonder so many mothers have trouble with breastfeeding! They are reading mainstream books like this one written by people without a clue! It angers me that this book is so *popular* because it does more damage than good. I will have to admit that the developmental facts are pretty interesting and on-the-mark (I've been a student of Early Childhood Education). Some of the "letters" they answer are realistic questions that a new mother or father would have. But to be so cold-hearted as to say that sometimes you just must leave that baby alone to cry....no way. Not me, never. My copy of the book has been thrown away. If I ever met a pregnant mother who wants a book recommendation, I tell her about Dr. Sears. He has a heart....something these authors certainly do not! I would suggest that if they wish to author a book, they chose something they can find the FACTS on and then report them to us.
Rating:
Summary: My only negative experience of motherhood came from this
Review: The book only acheives to increase any feelings of fear, anxiety and guilt. Moreover, despite its enormous proportions, it NEVER has had the information I've been looking for. EVERYTHING I've looked up has emphasised the negatives of an issue and 'helpfully' provided me with another twenty or so things to worry about. YESTERDAY I THREW IT OUT...
Rating:
Summary: inappropriate advice, inaccurate information
Review: I could not rate this book lower. I read the "expecting" book and found it relatively useful - although it offered a lot to be frightened about in an apparently normal process, however this book earned itself a resounding "2 thumbs down" based not only on its lousy breastfeeding information (not an insignificant aspect or parenting by ANY means) and its emphasis on 'convenience parenting' as opposed to really bonding and listening to a baby's cues. It portrays a baby as a manipulative little creature who needs to be tamed. In the early days as a new mother, I could have been suckered into anything, however as I became more experienced and had more children, I grew "wise" to this book and was so glad I had rejected its advice and listened to my instincts. It's a shame so many new mothers accept all the advice offered in this book as gospel - it's just another book - nothing special but for some reason it has been afforded undue credibility. My advice is return it and pick up something better - even a good basic parenting book like Penelope Leach etc.
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