Rating: 
Summary: BabyLounge.com gave 5 Pacifiers to What to Expect the 1st Yr
Review: Hands down, the absolute best book out there for new parents. You may have other books to cross-reference, but when you want the most comprehensive advice, you will turn to this book time and time again. The first twelve months of your baby's life are broken down into chapters that address issues, like milestones that your baby will be crossing (e.g., smiling spontaneously by the 5th month), what you can expect at this months check-up (e.g., vaccinations), and then in a question/answer format "what you may be concerned about" (e.g., how to handle diaper rash). In this section, of each chapter, you will find extremely useful information that will answer every possible concern you may have as a new parent. Some other excellent chapters include First Aid, Surviving the First Six Weeks, and what to do before the baby is born to best prepare. I recommend that you buy the book before you deliver so you can take advantage of the great tips on what to buy before the baby is born, what to take with you to the hospital when you go into labor, and how to handle things like preparing the family pet. What to Expect the First Year is a great place to turn before calling your baby's pediatrician, and it's truly the only book you'll need to help you through your incredible first year of parenting.
Rating: 
Summary: Mostly helpful--use some common sense!!!
Review: Good Grief! After reading some of the other reviews of this book, you would think the authors are advocating child abuse or something. I just reviewed the section on diapers and I don't get where the reviewer is coming from who says the authors think cloth is the "worst thing you can do for your child." Looks to me like they are offering pros/cons of BOTH cloth and disposable (yes, disposables have some advantages!) and letting parents make an INFORMED decision. Yes, they discuss weaning from the breast at one year--guess what, some mothers are ready to wean by then and don't need a guilt trip for their choice! If you're not ready to wean by then, don't. Its that simple. I appreciated the way they gave BOTH sides of issues, acknowledging that every child/parent is different and what works for one may not work for another. Unlike Dr. Sears, who implies that if you let your child sleep in a crib, alone (gasp!) you must be a cold, unfeeling parent. Bottom line--take what you find useful from this book, ignore the rest. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Very anti-breastfeeding, very anti-cloth diapering.
Review: I was very disappointed in the seemingly anti-breastfeeding attitude in this book. If you plan on breastfeeding, this book is not for you. Also, we have chosen to cloth diaper our son, and this book makes it sound like the worst thing you can do for your child. The only people who will like this book are those that formula feed their babies and diaper them in synthetic diapers.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible!
Review: Inconsistent and poorly thought-out advice for the new parent. I won't list all the details, but for example the section on 10-month-olds has an entire section on weaning, when most doctors agree that babies should be breastfed for at least one year, and preferably longer. No 10-month-old self weans, and sending the message that a parent should be forcefully weaning a 10-month-old is absurd if both parent and child are happy with the relationship. The monthly "milestones" are haphazard, with a "Your baby will probably be..." one month, then two months later that same activity is in the "Your baby might even be able to..." section.
Rating: 
Summary: Basic newborn care, but not for intelligent, loving parents
Review: I'm a nurse who read this book and was angry at many of the suggestions. First of all, the newborn care advice is basic, which is fine for some parents, but not for those who want more grown-up advice. The advice to leave your baby alone to cry is absurd. What about the basic infant developmental level of "trust vs. mistrust"? This advice could lead parents to have a whiney, insecure baby. I think a recommendation of lots of love and affection would be more appropriate. Infants who are held often and who have parents who respond to their needs are more secure and end up crying less after the first few months. Also, what is wrong with letting a newborn sleep in your bed? In many other countries, this is normal behavior and it not harmful to a baby. The more affection, the better! The author is very condescending and opinionated and isn't giving good advice when it comes to bonding. Also, I was offended at the sections about adoptive parents, as if most adoptive parents are ill-prepared and clueless about babies. And, breastfeeding is possible with adoption! However, the month-by-month expected baby behavior is helpful. This book has some very helpful advice but the lack of advice and encouragement related to loving, affectionate bonding and mmeeting the emotional needs of your baby, makes this book highly overpromoted.
Rating:
Summary: Too simplistic
Review: I found the book attempts to package all the answers into too simple solutions. It seems odd that the same author that writes "What to Eat When You're Expecting" which by the way is entirely too regimental, can also write all these books on child development. Many of the ideas seem half-baked, and made me question their authority. Some of the answers to questions seemed almost flippant, only drawing on personal opinion. I was especially mortified when I read the 3-month section on feeding, and how to get your baby to sleep through the night. I lost more sleep worrying about this than I would have waking up to feed baby. I think that this advice taken to heart would have really deprived and hurt my baby. Luckily I've learned enough on my own, and read enough other books, to recognize what I don't agree with.
Rating:
Summary: practical, quick yet in-depth reference and overview
Review: we bought many parenting books, this is the one we refer to most. answers most of your questions, from the expected to the unexpected, i found this book extremely helpful and am just about to send another copy to an expectant mother
Rating:
Summary: This book has become a staple baby shower gift.
Review: When my husband and I first heard that our adopted daughter was soon to be born, I rushed to the bookstore to find anything I could on parenting. "What to Expect the First Year" instantly struck a chord with me. It was beautifully organized, perfectly detailed, and it even had a specific chapter for parents of adopted children. My family made fun of me when I propped the book up to follow the bathing directions as I gave our daughter her first sponge bath. I may not be as nervous as I was then, but I would still not like to attempt parenting without "What to Expect the First Year" by my side.
Rating:
Summary: The Baby Bible
Review: We affectionately refer to this book as "The Baby Bible". We could not have gotten through the first year without it. Although sometimes it provides too much info and scared us - we always knew where to find the answer to almost any question. Now with our second son, we use it as a refresher course!
Rating:
Summary: Don't trust this book, trust your instinct
Review: Being a brand new parent can go smoothly or it can be a great deal more difficult. Mine was difficult, but in turning to this book for advice, I was told to discredit my instinct and what was working, because those were bad. Specifically I implore any mother reading this to NOT LET A TINY INFANT CRY IT OUT! You're so tired and you don't know what to do, but that is really taking a way out and not addressing what may be the matter with your child (hungry, wet, scared). And I bet it doesn't feel right to you either. (A little baby does not "manipulate", like the authors claim - they communicate!!!)
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