Rating: 
Summary: Good illness info ... very poor breastfeeding info.
Review: This book does offer some good 'look it up' kind of information on childhood illnesses, rashes, etc. But this is information that can be found in MANY other parenting/child development books.What sticks out most in my mind is the absolutely inaccurate breastfeeding information. I realize that extended nursing is not an issue that all parents are comfortable with ... but inaccurate 'expert' information such as the FALSE statements presented in this book can do nothing but further an inaccurate conception of breastfeeding as a natural, perfect way to nurture our children both in infancy and toddlerhood. I enjoyed the "What to Expect" series of books while pregnant with my son and during his young years ... and I refered to them again during my pregnancy with my daughter. But I have to say that the more I learn about parenting and breastfeeding, the LESS thrilled I am with these books. The author seems to be against ANY parenting choice that falls outside of her own mainstream ideal. Breastfeeding, family bed, and attachment parenting being the most promenent issues. I'm all for acceptance of individual differences ... but I can't recommend a book whose author presenst a very one sided, closed minded view of parenting. Yes the books do contain SOME good reference information ... but are they good books on the whole? Not in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Invaluable Reference Book
Review: I too was absolutely flabbergasted at the number of people (or is it one person posting several times?) who dismissed this 800 page encyclopedia because of two small and unimportant sections on breast-feeding and "cry-it-out." You're not going to agree with everything in here. But the authors never intend that. Instead, they offer an invaluable reference book for parents. Want to know what that red blotch on your kid's arm is? This is the only book that will tell you. (It's probably a strawberry birthmark, very common, rarely lasts beyond age 10, etc.) The Q&A style is great, it leaves you feeling that you're not the only one who has these questions. And 99% of the book's content is pretty straightforward (why is my baby fascinated by mirrors? why are her eyes that weird bluish-brown color?)We found the authors' pregnancy book invaluable for the same reason-- it was a bit too treacly about pregnancy (e.g. "If you're feeling nauseous knit a sweater") but provided a wonderful, factual guide to what was going on with both fetus and mother.Parenting is 99% instinct. You can't rely on a book to tell you WHAT to do. This book is great in that it explains WHY things are happening.We find the Sears to be unrealistic and believe that people who fanatically follow their advice run the risk of losing any sense of self, which is way more harmful than the occasional bottle of formula, since babies rarely thrive with parents who resent them.A good supplement to this book (What to Expect) is Vicki Iovine's "Girlfriend's Guide To The First Year." It's hilarious and guaranteed to make you feel that you're a pretty good parent after all.Use this book to answer all the "why" questions you have. It'll cut down on the number of calls you make to the pediatrician (or at the very least make you feel a little more knowledgeable when you do.)
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Summary: best baby book out there
Review: I have 4 kids-this has been my bible for every one! I highly recomend it1
Rating: 
Summary: Not reccomended reading
Review: I really liked "What to Expect When You are Expecting", but was very disappointed with this one. The authors (who are NOT doctors, or even in the medical field) present their inaccurate information as fact. They advocate the "cry it out" school of thought, which does not take into consideration the baby's needs. The breastfeeding information is incorrect, and could easily sabatoge a new mother's nursing relationship. "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears is a much better alternative.
Rating:
Summary: A good reference book
Review: Before writing this review, I was surprised to find that there were some who didn't like the book at all. It was described variously as misleading, misinforming, and condescending. Maybe these people forgot to read the preface and introduction and the other notes before the first chapter. Everyone knows that all mothers have their own special ways with their children. The book doesn't contradict this. In becoming too general and trying to put down all the possible things a child could be as well as encounter in the first year, the authors offended other readers without meaning to. Moreover, the information was up-to-date (particularly the ones about breastfeeding) being from the medical field myself and I am surprised that the other mothers do not agree. Maybe their pediatricians are hopelessly outdated. The mark of a good doctor and a good book is their ability to keep up-to-date with current medical findings, trends, studies, and research. I am saddened that other mothers were not able to verify or corroborate some of the facts in this book by research and reading more than 2 or 3 baby books and magazines. I am even more saddened by the fact that they did not even go to their pediatricians and check if some of what the book said were true or they would have been more well-informed.
Rating: 
Summary: As I become more & more experienced I like it less & less.
Review: I found this book to be very helpful as I struggled through the first year with my first child. Now, having a broader experience (I'm now a mom of three) and having read others, I am actually offended by some of the "advice" given. I recommend "The Baby Book" by Sears & Sears.
Rating:
Summary: Parenting Misinformation
Review: Much of the breastfeeding information is incorrect. As strict as the "What to Expect When You are Expecting" book was about EVERY bite being important during pregnancy, I'm surprised this book is so supportive of feeding babies artificial milk. In addition, exactlly why do I have a problem if my baby sleeps in the bed with me? I believe babies need daytime and nighttime parents. Seven month old babies manipulate Mom for attention? Maybe seven month old babies need attentive moms.
Rating:
Summary: This is a good reference.
Review: This book includes a lot of questions and answers, which has a certain utility. It can and should be complimented by a more comprehensive work which I read called "Our Baby: The First Year," written by pediatricians and an obstetrician.
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Summary: We Raised my Grandson from this book page by page!
Review: For some reason, my first review did not make it to your review pages, but I feel it is important to share with your readers how wonderful this book is! From the day my grandson came home from the hospital, every single concern, every single question, everything that happened, we could find in this book. It saved our lives. My daughter was unable to bond with her son, but I was able to fill in and help (I now have guardianship of him nine years later!) and without this book, I don't know what we would have done. It is informative, sensitive to the MOTHER'S needs as well as the Baby's, it is respectful of everyone involved with the child's care, it is kind, non-judgemental, reassuring, and gives you every kind of guideline and consideration. I cannot imagine anyone getting through their first year without this book in hand to make their lives (and their baby's) so much easier. Even if you have other books, this should definitely always be on hand to grab when all e! lse fails. My grandson did not develop exactly along the guidelines of this book (by the 8th month, he was walking...no, RUNNING), but the book helped us know what to look for and when and if we should be concerned enough to ask the pediatrician specific questions. And it helped us enjoy my grandson's accomplishments so much more and to know what things to watch for, which we may have missed. It informed us about safety measures to take in the home, as well as dietary issues, which one may choose to follow or ignore, or some of both. There was humor as well as intelligence. It felt as if an intelligent, informed girlfriend was in the room with us, helping us along. I have purchased so many copies of this book as gifts, I have lost count, and have just told my best friend to buy it for her daughter (who is pregnant for the first time). I recommend this book without hesitation.
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Summary: From Day One onward/minute by minute/this was our guide.
Review: When my daughter brought my grandson home, she did not bond and I was at a loss (I had adopted her when she was 9) as to what to do. I bought her this book -- and from the first day, it answered and reassured me (and her as well) and gave me direction and PERMISSION to follow my heart and mind. These authors are respectful and admiring of a mother's intuition and make you feel very reassured when you don't have all the answers. Every question we EVER asked, was answered in this book, from "what is that white stuff in his mouth?" (yeast infection!), to "Is he old enough to be doing this? (yes...every child is his own indicator of what he should be accomplishing at any age, they reassured us!) Now that I have legal custody of my grandson, and he is nine years old and as healthy as a rock, I have purchased numerous copies of this book as gifts for young mothers and have recommended it hundreds and hundreds of times (literally!), most recently to my best f! riend's daughter. I thank these authors with all my heart and hope that they have a chance to know of my appreciation and gratefulness for my grandson's safe and happy and healthy first year of life!
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