Rating: 
Summary: Not The Best
Review: ... To start off with I do not understand why this series is so popular - is it the good title or just that they have been around some time? When we found out that my wife was pregnant, my wife and I went out and got an arm full of books both pregnancy and the first year. We have been reading them and comparing the different books to each other and of course how they relate to our experiences. With this as our background we both have found that this series is not what we ar looking for or would recommend. The positive side is that the book it did seam to provide some good information in a reference method. It also gave us a general idea on what was going on and some of the things to look for. It was well written and it did not get dull or over laden with technical medical terms. It also did seem to be comprehensive covering almost everything you would need to know the first year. The book can easily be used as a reference book due to the good layout and well-organized chapters. It is also easy to understand. We felt the best section is the guide to common childhood illnesses and how to treat them. What we did not like is the authors of the book write in a style that seams to be one of an overbearing adult wagging her finger at you. I don't think we needed or cared for the tone the book had about the authors militant views on what not to do. At times it did seam to be somewhat alarming and it made certain aspects of parenthood sound like a burdensome chore. They also did seam to be convinced that the development time frames were non-negotiable, if your child did something too soon or a little late then watch out, because there could be trouble ahead. Overall, it is a nice reference book with an overbearing tone. If being talked down to aggravates you then I would look someplace else.
Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE!
Review: We got this book as a shower gift not knowing at the time what a useful guide it would be. As first time parents, we could go to The Book (as it came to be known in our household) when we had any questions and somewhere would find an answer. Our baby is now three months old and we have gone through so much already. We got book help on everything from breastfeeding to crying to sleeping through the night to "Oh my God! Is that sound coming from his lungs normal??" (It was..and saved us a trip to the doctor several times with great advice of what is normal and what is not)
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book but not the Greatest
Review: This book has some really good information, but I wasn't as impressed with it as I was the first book in the series. The way they organize the information is a little misleading, because my son is going through some things at 4 months that aren't listed in the book until 6 months. I let my friend borrow it and that just seemed to frustrate her more than anything. If you can find it used at a good price, that would be my recommendation. I don't think I'd pay full price again given another chance.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read
Review: I like this book because it is very easy to find what you are looking for. (It is set up exactly as the What to Expect When You're Expecting book.) It has answered a lot of my questions and lets me know what is "normal" and what may be cause for concern. I also like the ready reference section in the back.
Rating:
Summary: Some helpful info
Review: As the mother of 2 month old twins, I have found this book helpful for medical advice ... my boys have had some minor problems and I first referenced the book before calling the pediatrician. In all cases, the ped gave the same advice as the book. Now that we're entering the third month, however, the books advice is not that great ... for example, one of the suggestions to get a baby to sleep through the night is to NOT change their diaper during the night unless absolutely necessary (meaning if they've pooped). I just think that's stupid advice. Wouldn't a baby sleep more comfortably if their diaper were not full of pee? Just my opinion. I'm also disapppointed in the amount of information about multiples ... two whole pages. All of the information about getting baby to sleep, etc. is geared toward single babies. It's a WHOLE new ball game when you have two little ones to handle.
Rating:
Summary: Good advice
Review: I got this book when my first child was born and found it helpful then and now after the birth of my third child. It is especially helpful to first time parents and is a good reference tool for those of us who are veterans! It is the perfect book to calm those first-time jitters and fears with its practical advice and I especially like the guide to common childhood illnesses and how to treat them. It gives step-by-step instructions on how to take your baby's temperature, how to give medicine when prescibed by your baby's doctor, etc. All things that are necessary to know but that you never seem to think of when you are at the doctor's office! I have recommended this book to several of my friends and will continue to do so.
Rating: 
Summary: No wonder modern parents are so uptight
Review: I hate this book. It is needlessly alarming and makes parenthood sound like a burdensome chore. They make it sound like breastfeeding is a major nuisance. It's not. Just playing with your kid is presented as having a right and wrong way to do it. A typical example of weirdly alarming advice: they reccommend don't leave kids alone for even one second because "a house fire could start at any minute" I mean, there are plenty of good reasons not to leave kids alone, and yes families should have a fire escape plan, but house fire danger is *not* the primary reason to keep an eye on your kids. A friend gave this to me as a shower gift and said it was great. It's not. If lots of parents are reading this kind of nutso advice it's no wonder so many of them seem so uptight.
Rating:
Summary: Expect Less, From This Book.
Review: As a first time inexperienced mom, I remember finding this book confusing and misleading on several accounts...First, there's alot of conflicted information regarding baby's developement. If your child doesn't perform on their guidelines of milestones, feeding, sleeping and ect...this book makes you feel like there's a problem. Babies are small individuals, like adults, they're all different, and WON'T conform, so don't sweat it. ................ If you can't, won't, or simply prefer NOT to breastfeed, this book, (as well as the many magazines I cancelled) will make you feel like a total criminal who doesn't really care about her baby. Remember, you do what's good for BOTH of you, you count too! Other rediculous advice includes: Don't EVER mix fruit into baby meats...my daughter LOVED it. Baby will not accept non-sweet foods EVER again if you give the sweet foods....WRONG! Give your baby a cup at four months to try(???), and give away the bottle by the LATEST, 18 Months??? Please, if your baby likes it, the bottle is a moms and baby's best friend, (just not in bed with sweet liquid). Murkoff and Eisenberg also tout "Ferberizing". The heartless "cry it out" method of not "spoiling" your baby by loving it, holding it, and making it feel secure. Why do we have a baby in the first place, if we don't want to be bothered with their basic demands? Bad enough that charlatan Ferber published that sadistic "guide", these authors further endorse it............ I could on, but why don't I give you my recommendations instead. I liked the Dr Spock Baby and Childcare books, well written and useful. ...Remember, your baby doesn't know you're not an expert, but spending time together WILL make you one anyway. Don't rely on books, especially not THIS one. Ask friends and relatives questions too. Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: My number-one resource
Review: This book was invaluable during my son's first year; whenever I had a concern, regardless of how minor, I could turn to the book and it answered my question. The format is great; and the baby-friendly recipes were helpful too. I highly recommend it to any new parent.
Rating:
Summary: Fun book, but don't take it seriously
Review: I read this book when I was trying to concieve. A friend of mine had just given birth & had checked the book out of the library. I thought it was pretty funny overall, though a bit obsessed with physical appearances. Still, the author lives in a micro-culture where these things are very important, so it doesn't bother me. After all its just a book. Just one narrow side of motherhood. People who let this one view scare them are taking it out of context and way too seriously. It is humorous & well written in a lively style with some wonderful anecdotes from Vicki's life & the lives of her friends. If you can keep a sense of perspective it is a fun and informative read. BTW I am now 3 months pregnant, so obviously it didn't intimidate me any.
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