Rating: 
Summary: WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD IT SOONER!
Review: I've read some reviews suggesting that the Sears' book is a better reference guide than 'What to Expect,' citing that after all, the Sears are parents of 8 (assuming that purposefully having 8 children is really all that beneficial to parents and children$#@! I think this is called -in laymen's terms - spreading oneself too thin, and I'd have 2nd thoughts about taking the advice of such parents.) 'What to Expect' covers just about any and every topic about newborns - and it is more detailed than any other book I've referenced. I especially like how the authors clearly advocate breastfeeding, but include a list of both the disadvantages and advantages of it - an example of how objective this book truly is (I found this refreshing after reading all the breastfeeding-nazi books). In addition, this book recommends that newborns be comforted and picked up when they cry; On the other hand, insist the authors, older babies can wait a little while longer - and are apt to learn bad habits if you come running to the rescue at every little whimper.
Bottom line: A million thumbs up for this book. Great gift, too!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR NEW PARENTS!
Review: I LOVE THE DETAILED FEATURES OF THIS BOOK!
I found this book invaluable due to it's comprehensive nature. We read and read and read before our first child was born, but after his birth realized that there was so much our other reference books didn't cover. SOME EXAMPLES:
For instance, this book introduces parents to just about every theory for colic there is, theories I had yet to encounter in any other book. I also liked the section on the importance of finding the right nipple flow. The wrong nipple flow has caused us serious feeding problems w/ our newborn - problems that we were not entirely prepared for since our other books mentioned little more than "buy stage 1 nipples for newborns." These are 2 examples, but there are numerous more topics addressed in this book that have been very helpful. My only regret is that I didn't buy this book sooner. Now I find myself reading solutions in this book to problems we had in the past and saying to myself, "Oh, that's what we needed to do....Oh, that's what was wrong..."
ADDRESSING SOME OF THE MEDIOCRE REVIEWS THIS BOOK HAS RECEIVED:
One reviewer complained that the authors insist one can't spoil newborns and contradict themselves later warning that you've got to be tougher on 3-4 month year-olds. Common sense as well as academic research tells us that newborns, indeed, do not know how to manipulate, but older babies begin to learn all sorts of social behaviors. It is quite sensible, then, to adapt our approach according to the child's age - as the authors suggest. This book includes a wide range of perspectives on parenting and shouldn't be wholly dismissed because some readers haven't agree with every word, stance, or opinion in this book. Total agreement on childrearing philosophies is hardly ever possible -even in the same household. So, read this book. Take the advice you agree with; dismiss anything else. I'm betting that after reading this book, you'll be dismissing very little.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected!
Review: I have three children and most likely prego with #4. I can tell you a much better book is The Baby Book by Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears, RN. He is a Pediatrician, and they have had 8 children. They know what they are talking about! WTE has covered several areas in their books that I just don't feel they knew any or all the information. Their stance on diapers (cloth v disposable) was way off and they don't seem to have all info on breastfeeding, either. This was a great book at one time, because no one had written one. It was a much needed source. However, Dr. Sears and many other authors, now, exist and they have much better options! Check out books by Dr. Sears and see the other books that show up! Or check out the La Leche League website as they can refer you to many great parenting books.
Rating: 
Summary: Good as a reference
Review: I liked this book as a reference. As a first time parent, there is so much to take in and so many things that people recommend or mention. I found it helpful as a father to look to from time to time. But it doesn't cover everything. The series of books From Dr. Sears is also helpful. I found a product for our child that helped them sleep for longer periods of time and in a more comfortable position - it's a baby hammock from Amby. Dr. Sears recommended it and it was invaluable. It wasn't covered in the "What to Expect" series, but maybe it was too new. Anyway, this book along with others makes parenting easier!
Rating: 
Summary: Go with Dr. Sears instead!
Review: If you want a comprehensive, common-sensical book on baby's first year, don't waste your money on this one. Dr. Sears "The Baby Book" is much better and as a parent, made me feel more at ease.
Rating: 
Summary: poorly organised, mostly unhelpful.
Review: I find this book for the most part extremely unhelpful. The index is poorly organized. It always takes at least 10 minutes for me to find anything that I'm trying to look up. And then when I do the section often doesn't deal with what I'm trying to find out about. I do like the milestone sections at the beginning of each month. I also find it's overly alarmist views on anything vaguely different annoying. I had the same problem with What to Expect When You're Expecting. Basically it's a good guide if you wish to be overly cautious about your child and even then lots of info is missing.
Rating:
Summary: Patronising
Review: A patronising and badly organised mish-mash.
Some of the worst illustration I have ever seen in a book
Rating:
Summary: Helpful to new Mom's
Review: I loved this book. It helped me understand my baby's stages and was easy to cross reference any specific questions. I give it as a shower gift now to all my new mom's.
Rating:
Summary: excellent resource for first time mom
Review: I've only read up through the first month, but this book is awesome. I love all the information that it has. As a first time mom with no friends with babies, I love having something that kind of gives me an idea what to expect.
Rating:
Summary: A great help...
Review: While living on abroad without any close relatives nearby, having and bringing up a baby can be pretty tough. I got thru. my first year as a mom with this book... I know it's long, but it's very reassuring... informative... and extremely HELPFUL. I must confess that I didn't always agree with the author's point of view either(I still think that using clothediper system deserves more than what she described). At 19 month old, I still keep my baby in our bedroom, which is somewhat against what she promotes... and I breastfed my baby for 1 1/2 years...(just a little bit a day)
But that doesn't make me feel like a bad mom... I haven't seen any book that agrees with me 100% about anything. (I don't see how, unless I myself write a book ... lol). We all are different, and more importantly, all our babies are different. Rather, since the author alway puts the emphasis on appreciating differences in babies, I feel I should read the book and adapt it to my situation. After all, I am the MOM of my baby. My pediatrician, a very practical, no-nonsense French female doctor, is very surprised to find me so well informed about the important health issues at visits. And the thing is so far with three of her books "What to Experct..." my baby is growing up steady, healthy and happy. I am very grateful that I have bought all these books. They definitely worth money, time and effort to go thru. all the pages. (reading ahead is a good idea :)) Cheers, new moms out there~ Don't panic! If I can do it, you can do it, too!.... :)
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