Rating: 
Summary: Give me a break
Review: This book should have been called "How to Raise a Spoiled, Overly Dependent Child". I really wish I had read the reviews for this book before I ordered it. That would have saved me the trouble of returning it after trying for an entire evening to find a reason not to return it. Cloth Diapers? Wearing your baby? Family bed? What does that do to the marriage? This book's suggestions are nothing more than laughable.
Rating: 
Summary: idealistic rather than realistic
Review: I read this book two and a half years ago, before the birth of our daughter. I also referred to it throughout her first year. I thought everything sounded like "common sense" (though at times unrealistic). I cheered the sensitive approach.
Today I still recommend it to my friends as another opinion out there, but "take it with a grain of salt". In some cases, though, I think it steered me wrong. Most notably, when it came to sleep. We did the family bed, because it was easiest, until she was 12 months. Then I followed his advice and moved her to a mattress on the floor. The biggest problem was that she had to be nursed to sleep. She woke up several times a night to eat. Dr. Sears offered no good advice on how to stop this bad habit. Very reluctantly I turned to Ferber - and this was a last resort. She cried 2 nights, and has slept through the night ever since. What a relief! I was so much happier and more patient from then on. She is still not cured of two other problems: she won't sleep on her own - we have to lie with her until she falls asleep. She won't take a nap. I guess he doesn't account for her temperament. I feel fortunate to be able to devote a lot of attention to our children. Here are some issues which I would challenge: Is it better to have a parent work from home than have a more attentive caregiver? Wouldn't the parent have to turn their back to their children to get any work done? Does anyone really wear their kids in a sling constantly? I think that would drive a person crazy in no time (not to mention ruin the back). Perhaps, as Sears claims, "you cannot spoil a baby". I wish he would have advised me to ease up as she gets older. It seems to me that you CAN spoil a toddler. The tears I prevented falling as a baby are unavoidable with a 2 year old. "No" is hard for all of us. These points aside, I agreed with Sears in many respects. His opinions fell in line with mine. His preachy tone turned me off at times. So, follow the advice that suits you and discard the rest. I just follow my instincts now, rather than the book, and my second child is doing just great.
Rating: 
Summary: A doctor's office in a book. My parenting bible!
Review: This is a BIG book, and it never failed me. I found it comforting, reassuring, compassionate and helpful. It was exactly what this working mom needed, whether my daughter was 2 weeks old, or approaching two years. There was always an answer or suggestion, and it fit my parenting style perfectly. I worked full-time, and found the attachment parenting ideas made me feel that our time together was used to the fullest. I highly recommend this book, and if you saw my well-worn, dog-eared copy,you'd know how often and thoroughly I used it!
Rating:
Summary: a fathers point of view
Review: As I strolled through the reviews of this book I noticed that very few comments were made by dads. Though many mothers have touted this as second to none for childrearing advice, it is a definite death nail to a marriage. My wife and I have watched several of our friends marriages fall apart from heeding the Sears' wisdom. First of all, a child should conform to your schedule, not the other way around. The relationship I have with my parents is wonderful and I can't imagine what it would have been like if I slept like a chastity belt between the two of them until I was 5 years old. Even introductory Psychology books will tell you that a child learns most of his/her values from his parents relationship. Once your child is sleeping with you, prepare for your husband to eventually migrate to the couch (this has happened to several of our friends) due to the childs need for more mattress real estate. Though the father may protest and attempt to plead his case on having the baby sleep in his/her own bed, expect mommy to recite many of the insightful passages from this wonderful guide to an early divorce. Once your baby realizes he/she holds the power over the parents relationship get ready for an incredibly hedonistic and selfish toddler. Also, prepare to explain the merits of sleeping in your own bed to a 5 year old that has spent their entire life connected to mommy at night. Once your child reaches adolesence, if they are like 90% of all teenagers they will naturally pull away from their parents to form their own identities. At this point you will then have the exciting job of trying to heal the marriage you abandoned 13 years earlier. It seems like many of the mothers giving this book glowing reviews have forgotten that babies grow up, leave the house, get married, and have their own families. If your husband has had to remain on the backburner to you and your childs relationship, expect him to feel unwanted and hurt. And if your husband eventually leaves from this lack of attention, don't expect your 20 year old son or daughter to curl up in bed with you at night to keep you company when your alone. This book pushes a husband and wife apart but definitely brings a mother and child closer. If you want more of an even balance of information try "What to Expect the First Year", it cites scientific studies along with great information for new parents. I can honestly tell you that I've seen this book do more harm than good to husbands and wives.
Rating:
Summary: Terrible book, burn your copy now...
Review: I tried, I REALLY tried to like this book. I went through natural childbirth, breastfed, the whole deal... This book proves to me that people will latch onto anything. I witnessed a friend follow the guidelines of the book and lo-and-behold, her child is a puddle of tears and anger whever Mommy leaves the room for more than 4 seconds. And the social skills of that child? Please. My daughter is well-rounded, secure, and enjoys meeting and playing with other children AND adults. Her child has no interest in playing with anyone. A "family" bed? NO THANK YOU. I refuse to believe that having a four year old sleeping in the same bed as two grown adults is healthy for everyone. Sure it works in tribal communities - the whole tribe is responsible for raising the children, but not here. And the tone that the mother should be strapped to her child is just ridiculous. Unless you are lucky enough to be able to live comfortably on one income, most women need to work. I highly recommend reading some of the "stories" this doctor personally witnessed - they were highly dramatized (the working mother's story is flat, boring and at times negative, while the "wonderful, thoughtful" mother who worked half-shifts and lovingly spent time with her child was made out to have the light of the sun on her at all times - BLECH!). Yes, there are NUGGETS of useful information, but not enough to waste your money on. I believe children should be taught boundaries and independence, which includes not getting everything they want (including mommy all to themselves), sleeping in their own bed, and learning to play quietly by themselves. So far, it's worked great with my girl. If she doesn't want to nap, she plays quietly in her crib with her crib toys for up to 2.5 hours, no complaints. Am I some miracle worker to have raised such a well-adjusted child so far? I doubt it. Maybe I should write a book about it, call it "research" and make some extra cash. These flakes have quite a racket going.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: While this book has helpful aspects, my main complaint is that one cannot distinguish the advice that is based on medical-research findings from the advice that is PURELY THE AUTHORS' OPINIONS. The book has ZERO references and states many things as "fact" that I know are not. For example, on p. 12 the "Benefits of Attachment Parenting" (attachment parenting is a main theme of this book) include the baby growing better, learning language more easily, etc. Later in the book, it is even suggested that attachment parenting will raise your child's IQ. I have studied Child Psychology at the graduate level and I have never heard of any studies supporting these claims. The listed benefits of attachment parenting are, therefore, only the authors' IMPRESSIONS and OPINIONS. This is fine, but this should be made more clear. Because the benefits of attachment parenting are discussed as if they are fact, then what else in the book is also merely these authors' opinions? I am left wondering how much I can trust them.
Rating:
Summary: 1942 Science experiment Turn Into a Cult Classic
Review: A science experiment in 1942 by Dr.McLendon and Ms. Simsarian on Ms. Simsarians own baby started this all.(Read schedules in Dr. Spocks Book) After about 60 years of this we have the "me generation". My sister gave us this book but with twins it was completely out of the question for us. My sisters child was delightful and cried very little. She settled on a schedule of noon to about 2am after about 18 months. She only seemed to cry if you put her down so my sister carried her everywhere. Back and neck problems eventually put an end to this as well as my sisters part time job. Her daughter only slept if she was with mom and dad(how rommantic). That lasted until about age 31/2 when baby #2 arrived and the new baby took center stage. After a couple violent incidents involving the new baby this delightful girl was seeing a psychologist once a week. This may be a worst case but in looking at our world since this 1942 experiment I can see some common themes. Be very careful, these are our children not some social experiment. I can imagine that the "American Taliban" John Walkers parents raised him by this method.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book!
Review: This book is fantastic. It is by far the best book out on the market. It kept me from feeling guilty for things I should not have felt guilty about in the first place. Sharing sleep, nursing and breastfeeding, just being a responsive parent! His breastfeeding book SAVED US. I really trust this guy after these two books - they are fantastic!
Rating: 
Summary: Very good how to book, with an ax to grind
Review: This is a very worthwhile baby book with one flaw. It is wonderful as a "how to" book for the mechanics of parenting (how do I take the baby's temperature, etc), but its utility is somewhat degraded by the fact that the authors take a very strong editorial stance on their philosophy of parenting. Often it this results in the book feeling somewhat stringent and judgemental and not as comforting as say, Dr. Spock's book. As a first time parent I have found it very useful, but the editorial tone annoys me to no end. Despite that, I do find myself turning to it often.
Rating:
Summary: This book should be required reading before giving birth.
Review: This is the only book you need to buy. Dr Sears and Martha Sears are very insightful on everything about parenting.
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