Rating: 
Summary: Prepare youself for feelings of inadequacy
Review: The only thing I found helpful about this book was in information on immunizations. This book did not support any of the choices and decisions that I was (am) making as a parent. I have chosen to breastfeed beyond one year (as the AAP and the WHo suggest) and this book gives the impression that nursing a toddler is absurd. The same goes for holding my baby, parenting her to sleep, and co-sleeping. This book, like it's predecessor, What to Expect When Expecting, made me feel very inadequate as a mother and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: MUST have book, period. If you don't have it, GET IT!!
Review: Unless you are a true expert on raising a baby, this book is a literal life saver. They might as well sell a pouch so that you can carry this book around with you! The number of times we (mom & dad) have been put at ease or guided successfully with this book is very substantial. We have been informed using this information such that our dialogues with our baby's doctor were very productive, much more than would have been. In general, there has been little that we have not found in this book. Hat's off to the authors. Do yourself a favor and get this book if you don't have it! Also, to help you make your life as a parent--and a person--better and more enjoyable, peaceful, calm, etc., be sure to read "Effortless Wellbeing: The Missing Ingredients for Authentic Wellness" by Evan Finer. Both books are in the "life saver" category.
Rating:
Summary: FABULOUS BOOK!!
Review: I just wrote a review for "What to Expect When You're Expecting" because I really just don't understand why these great books are getting so few stars!This book is SO great! I LOVE how each month is broken down, with what to expect at each doctor's visit and what your baby should be able to do and may be able to do. It's SO much fun to open this book every month and see how far my daughter is above the "norm". :-) As far as the review written by a woman who was talking about babies sleeping on the backs and how it causes plagiocephaly, which is a flat spot on the head, well no kidding! I saw a blurb on the news a few months back about this so-called problem. Babies heads are soft, so no kidding if they're on their backs all the time and their head is in the same position they'll get a flat spot. It's just common sense to adjust their head position every night to avoid this (if they don't do it on their own) and it's certainly not good reason to not buy this book. Besides, since babies have been sleeping on their backs, SIDS has gone down by 40% which is a HUGE decrease. My 4 1/2 month old daughter has been sleeping on her back since the day she was born, and she doesn't have plagiocephaly because she's always moving her head, she doesn't sleep with her head in the same position all night every night. Just have your baby move his or her head and they'll have no problem. (This is a fairly new "problem", so it probably didn't even have a name when this edition was published!) Also, I just used this book as a reference because I started my daughter on solids and the rice cereal made her constipated. However, I consulted my handy and well-organized book and quickly found a solution and now she's feeling much better! Thank you Ms. Eisenberg! You have written a great one! I would recomend this book to anyone with an infant! You will get plenty of use out of it! As with any book, this doesn't contain EVERYTHING that EVERYONE wants. I have three other reference guides that I consult when I have a concern about something. But that doesn't make this a "bad book", as so many people who wrote nasty reviews would have you believe. It just means that everyone has a different opinion on what is "best" and as INFORMED parents, we shouldn't bad mouth one book because we don't agree with EVERY single little thing in it. The other books I use as guides are as follows:
"The Everything Babies First Year Book" "The Practical Pediatician"
"The American Academy of Pediatrics, Your Babies First Year" Thank you and happy reading! :-)
Rating: 
Summary: A pretty helpful reference guide
Review: This book is the first source that I consult whenever I have a question concerning my five month old son. While I also reference other books so that I am able to make well-informed decisions, I find this book to be the most informative, with a well-organized format.
I did not find this book opposed to breast-feeding. In fact, as a breast-feeding mother, I actually found a lot of information about the process in this book. In terms of the "cry it out" issue, I educated myself on this subject by reading other opinions in addition to the ones stated in this book and chose to ignore their advice. While I think this book is really excellent (especially for first time moms like myself), I think that it is best read in conjuction with other literature on child-rearing (as is any book an any subject).
Rating:
Summary: No reassurance here, part 3
Review: For some reason, some parents apparently don't understand that the baby is a part of the family, and in the 9th month, they wonder when the baby should eat with the family. What message are you giving the baby when she has to eat alone and not with the family? Yes, it might be difficult to "spoonfeed" the baby, but really, most babies are ready to start eating when they start self-feeding. Spoonfeeding is a holdover from the days of incomplete infant formulas- parents had to add solids to the baby's diet in order to ensure that she was getting decent nutrition. A breastfed baby will wisely skip spoonfeeding. Security *objects* are discussed with little worry- where there should be. Again, these are baby humans and they need *human* contact, not the substitute contact of a blanket or a bear. If a child is overly attached to a "thing", she would probably benefit from more time with her loved caregivers. When the baby is distracted at nursing, at this young age, it is suggested that the baby may be weaning. This is absolutely untrue; it is a nursing strike. Instead of telling mothers that her milk may taste bad, or that the baby's nutritional needs might be changing, mothers need to be told to contact a support person or group like La Leche League and get help getting the baby back on the breast. (www.lalecheleague.org). Weaning from the breast before a baby is one year old is counter to the AAP statement on the Use of Human Milk and is "premature weaning". If the baby is just distracted a little, make sure you take time to sit in a quiet room every day and nurse. Co-sleeping with it's attendant nightnursing are good ways to prevent premature weaning. In the 10th month, we are really, really PUSHED into considering weaning, with more than 2 pages of how to accomplish this. Again, babies don't need or want to be weaned this early. Encouragement for long term nursing would be a lot more helpful to most mothers and babies. We learn that some babies bang their head on the wall or crib and are assured that this is normal. Again, this is NOT normal. Family bedded children never engage in this pathological behaviour because they don't need to. They are well stimulated by the love of their family nearby. Thinking about those poor babies, craving stimulation or endorphins by headbanging makes me physically ill. It shouldn't happen. The section on "discipline" is pretty unnecessary when entire good books have been written on the subject. I would read "The Discipline Book" by Wm and Martha Sears instead, later reading any of the Faber and Mazlish, or Mary Sheedy Kurchinka's books. To celebrate the 11th month of our babies life, we are just told how to wean our babies, no "ifs and or buts". Just wean them. No reason why. Poor babies. Many moms continue to nurse happily after the first year passes, and when they hit this chapter, they realize that their baby is just a baby and still needs mother's milk. It breaks my heart to think there are mothers, fathers and pediatricians who think that weaning has to happen at this very young age. Sadly, the box on "raising a healthy heart" forgets to mention that breastfeeding is crucial in maintaining heart, and every other organ's health. The 12th month assumes that weaning has happened and devotes a lot of ink to how to feed the baby who is now missing the most nutritious food that should have been available to her. It's asking a lot of a mother to wean the baby to worry about diet- I knew my babies were getting sound nutrition from my milk at that age, and my life was easier because of it. This really isn't a book that mothers should be encouraged to read, and I am puzzled as to its popularity. In part, I think it's because many medical model obstetricians give the pregnancy version away to their pregnant patients, thereby endorsing the entire series. Bookstores order huge quantities of them, likely due to pricing structures. When women see the huge stacks of the books, they just "know" it's a good book so they buy it. Once it's purchased, parenting is made to seem so easy, if you just do things as the book says. OTOH, I see many of these books in thrift stores and at garage sales that appear unread, so maybe women realize that the book is pretty useless. Parents, please rely on your intuition and books that empower you like "The Baby Book" by the Sears or Katie Allison Granju's "Attachment Parenting". Don't fuel the multi-million dollar baby "thing" industry. Instead, spend time with your baby, breastfeed them and don't buy into training them to be little consumers instead of loving, caring humans!
Rating: 
Summary: it sounds reassuring, but is it???, part 1
Review: Chapter One looks like it starts out well- exploring how to feed the baby. They give the usual sort of things that make breastfeeding look pretty good but optional; designed for "your baby", better digestability, better absorption of nutrients, convenient, good bonding, etc. But right away, they set the tone for the whole of the book and come up with some absolutely silly things to say about bottle feeding which I will state as "overstuffing the baby" (they call it longer satisfaction), easy monitoring of intake (for those who can't judge a happy satisfied baby without a gauge, more freedom (for parents who really didn't' know what having a baby entails), more participation for fathers and sibs (so mom can be left changing the smellier diapers), here's a good one "NO interference with FASHION!- can you believe it? Is fashion so important to anyone that they can't feed their baby what the baby needs?! Which makes my other point well for me- breastfeeding is not "best", bottlefeeding is inferior. Until we get that point across, breastfeeding will always be seen as optional, women will be stressed by it, physicians and nurses won't know how to help, milk banks will be underfunded, donor milk will be suspect, books like this will be authored, and we will never reach the breastfeeding rates seen in the more civilized Scandinavian countries. The authors explore "feelings" toward breastfeeding, but make no allowances for how to change those feelings, where to get help, nor do they make any inroads in changing societal views that allow us to sell cars with breasts but not feed our youngest humans with them. They list reasons that breastfeeding may not work, but provide no resources for how to get help with poor milk supply (an IBCLC or LLLLeader), nor do they provide accurate information on drugs and breastfeeding. Chapter Two covers every consumers favorite subject; shopping. Just remember; all that stuff can be purchased after birth when you decide you *need* it, except for a carseat, basic t-shirts, diapers and a baby sling. Really. Most of that stuff is just silly to buy until you need it. Many babies hate cribs, swings, fancy clothes, etc. The baby needs her loving caregivers, not a chapter worth of purchases. Chapter 3 is about the newborn. There are a few good breastfeeding tips like, "nurse immediately" but I would add, "don't let them take the baby away at all (ie, room in), and nurse immediately and often". Interestingly, they devote almost as many pages to bottlefeeding, but leave out the important stuff like recording every lot and batch number to check for recalls. There is some good information in the Q & A section, but double check for accuracy with good lactation consultants, childbirth educators, doulas and other truly knowledgeable people. Chapter 4, the First Month. Why does the section on milk expression start out with "you see them in rest rooms....." Um, that is the worst place to express milk for a baby! There is no warning that cheap breastpumps are often dangerous, hand expression is often easier, and most women really don't need to pump. The section which covers the slow-gaining baby is mixed- some good information, some wrong, but nowhere does it tell the reader where to get real, in person help- that would be from your La Leche League Leader or IBCLC, btw. The question on changing one's mind about breastfeeding is odd- the woman who wants to return to breastfeeding is cautioned that she really needs to know she won't change her mind again- like that would be a disaster?? The woman who started breastfeeding and "didn't like it" at 3 weeks is not informed that it can take as long as 3 mo.s for the reward period to start. And this is what people call "balanced"? Chapter 5, the 2nd month. This is where they suggest supplementing. Again, the "reasons" are weak- some good, but included is "you wish to be prepared in case the mother becomes ill.. Well, most moms do fine dealing with that if it ever happens, when it happens. Sadly, the authors leave out mention of "nipple preference" when the baby finds the bottle easier than the breast, thereby causing premature weaning. Vaccinations are covered, yet no information on why parents delay is available. Judgemental words creep in more often at this age- we are asked if we have a "difficult" baby, rather than a high need baby. In the 3rd month we are told we might be "concerned" about schedules and told why we should schedule our babies- no mention that babies change weekly at that tender age and a schedule that works today might not work tomorrow . Fortunately, we are "allowed" to wait until the vast age of 6-9 mos to start disallowing the baby from falling asleep at the breast- and we are told why we don't want to do that. Too bad I've done it successfully at least until my son's 3rd birthday. 3rd *year*, that is. In the same breath, we're told to worry about a baby not yet sleeping though the night because nightwaking becomes a habit. Poor babies. Lots of their parents don't sleep through the night, ever. Why should they have to? Even though they aren't supposed to waken at night, the authors outline all the "problems" of sleeping with the baby like that the no one sleeps as well- news to me- and here's a great one "less lovemaking". Those poor couples with no imagination. Those same couples also seem to be unable to figure out how to take the baby out since nursing dyads are apparently "tied down"! IME, there is no one easier to take out for a nice dinner than a little happy nursling. Unfortunately, the authors think that if you do take the baby out, you and the baby can go into the bathroom to nurse. YUCK! In 9 years of nursing, I've never nursed in the toilet!
Rating:
Summary: a helpful reference book
Review: This book is really very helpful as a reference book, as well providing a quick month-by-month synopsis of baby's developmental stages. I did not find it opposed to breastfeeding, as another review states, but informative and supportive of both breast and bottle-feeding. I breast-fed my son and found the book to be helpful in that capacity. Of course this book, as well as any other, is best read in conjunction with other books on child-rearing in order to provide the most well-rounded outlook. Information that needs to be updated includes that concerning allergenic foods such as wheat and particularly peanuts -- such foods (especially peanuts) should not be introduced to children until after two years of age in order to avoid the development of a potentially fatal allergy. This book references feeding babies peanut butter on more than one occassion. Perhaps the second addition has remedied that problem, as I have only read the first. Overall however, I would say that this is a useful book -- especially to a first-time mom. Just make sure you become educated by other sources as well.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best series. Answers virtually every question!
Review: This series is the best. Simple and practical advise that new mothers can easily reference and even fathers will find it extremely helpful. I recommend it for every expecting and new mother. I just got another copy for my daughter in law.
Rating: 
Summary: Attachment Parents Beware
Review: While this book contains much useful information including milestones for each month, and practical medical tips it is not supportive of breastfeeding, baby-wearing or gentle sleep approaches. If these are important to you then you'll be sifting through this book for the information you can use. I'd recommend Gentle Baby Care or Penelope Leach for alternatives.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful to have
Review: Obviously this isn't to be used in place of professioal advice in many cases, but for certain things, I found it to be very useful and accurate. It kept me from panicking until I could speak to a doctor etc., many a time. It also gives a lot of good tips you don't just get anywhere. However I liked "What to Expect When You're Expecting" a lot better and therefore won't purchase the next one about the toddler years.
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