Rating: 
Summary: Why I love this book...
Review: A phenomenal and practical book that has guided us on raising our daughter. How much advice do you get from a $85 visit to the pediatrician? Compare that with the advice you get from this very comprehensive book. The slant of the book is most certainly towards attachment parenting. My take on this approach is that the short-term sacrifices that the Sears recommend (infant bed sharing, not following the cry-it-out philosophy, etc...) are very much long-term investments towards your relationships with your kids. I know of lots of parents who have taken a different approach with their kids and that have great relationships with them, but this book just seems to be consistent with my and my wife's instincts. Regardless of all that, there is plenty of practical advice that will warrant the purchase of the book. One of many examples - pureeing vegetables and freezing them in ice cube trays, and then storing in zip lock bags. But there are many, such as strategies for weaning you kids of the milk, etc... I highly recommend this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Guilt Complex
Review: Although this book has some good facts, it is really not worth the money. If you are not already Catholic, you will feel just as guilty by the time you finish this book. The Sears' are self-righteous, ultra-traditional and inflexible in their judgment. They criticize other books for their inflexible methods, but are equally so themselves. They rely heavily on their own parenting experiences and communicate that their parenting methods are the only way. They suggest that anyone not following their methods are insensitive, unloving people.If a parent were to follow their guidelines, they would not have time to even do their laundry, let alone go to work! Also, your baby would never: 1) sleep in his/her own room; 2) sleep throught the night; 3) be put down; 4) behave independently.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book for new Parents
Review: As a new parent, I have all these questions that I am not sure are legitimate to ask family or friends. While I have not yet finished reading this book, I have found it helpful so far. MY son is 3 months old and i thought he was a High Needs baby, but now he seems to be getting better at doing things himself and is quite content for the most part. I am especially finding the chapters on introducing solids and other foods very helpful, as that is the parents' on when to do so. Dr. Sears just gives advice on when to do so. I am anxious to finish this book and will keep it for future reference. I will also consider it a gift for future mothers and fathers.
Rating:
Summary: The baby book I recommend to all my friends!
Review: Along with Attachment Parenting, this is one of the first books I recommend to new and soon-to-be parents. It suggests a child-friendly method of raising your baby, a method that is respectful of a baby's needs. There is an excellent section on the first days at home that will answer almost every question a new parent might have - how to know if your baby is getting enough to eat, what all those weird marks and blemishes on baby's skin are, and how much you should expect baby to sleep. One of the best things about this book is that it focuses on the range of normal behavior, rather than on a specific expectation. For example, lots of other books state that your baby should have X number of bowel movements per day - The Baby Book states the range of normal BMs, relieving you from worrying that something is wrong with your baby because he or she doesn't fit the mold. This book also has great sections on babywearing, breastfeeding, health, milestones, and sleeping. It's a book for parents who want to follow their instincts while caring for their baby.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat impractical
Review: While I love Dr. Sears warm approach to raising children, I have to say that some of his advice to nursing mothers, and mothers in general is somewhat impractical and at times, dogmatic. He advises that if you just lay your baby next to your breast, he will sleep peacefully, and snack throughout the night without your even realizing it, thus giving you a restful night as well (he says that this may not work for all parents, but strongly implys that a loving mother would do this for her baby). Well, let me tell you, this approach does not work for all mothers, even loving ones. I slept with my son for 3 months and every time he awoke, he needed my help attaching himself to the breast, so I was awake for the duration of each of his 2 or 3 nightly nursings. He also slept somewhat fitfully, tossing in his sleep and sometimes waking up, every time I brushed up next to him in my sleep. It was clear that he needed his own space, but, not being used to his crib, he would cry soon after we put him in it, even if we put him in when he was sound asleep. If we (myself, my husband, or my son) were going to get any sleep, we were going to have to teach him to fall asleep in his crib, by himself, and the only way of doing this was to let him cry, something Dr. Sears finds abbhorant. While he condemns this method, though, the alternatives he and other books that come down hard on the crying it out method suggest, did not work for us. Believe me, we tried them all, because I, like any caring mother, hated to hear my baby cry. I have heard mothers say that it is part of motherhood to give up sleep and other "luxeries", and that if your baby needs you, you should go to him. Well, first off, let me just say that sleep is not a luxery, it is a necessity, and that sleep deprived individuals do not make the best parents, and secondly, I firmly believe that in this case, it was not me that my son needed, but a good nights sleep, because as soon as he learned to fall asleep by himself, he started sleeping through the night, and his daytime demeanor became much more cheerful. So don't believe Dr. Sears when he says any baby taught to fall asleep by himself will feel abandoned and depressed. My son is neither of these things. If you show your children love and compassion, letting them cry for a few minutes in order to help them sleep is not going to do any harm. So, for those of you for whom Dr. Sears method works, great. But for any of you who may be struggling with problems like mine, let go of the guilt, and read this book with a grain of salt. There are enough things in life to feel guilty about without this book adding to them.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful comprehensive reference
Review: I keep this book beside our bed and refer to it often! Overall, we agree with the Sears' philosophy on parenting. For us, it's simply instinctive parenting! As my husband says, we trust their advice because they are baby friendly. I especially like the sections on feeding, developmental milestones (and what to do to help your baby to reach them) and ways to relieve gas pain! The last was a lifesaver for us :-) At times the authors are unrealistic, i.e. suggesting that working moms wear their baby to work. As much as I agree with the benefits of baby wearing, I think this is too much to ask! Obviously, you have to tailor the advice to fit your circumstances. My husband and I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: What a relief!
Review: To read a book that reinforces my instincts! I am only sorry I did not buy this book in the first few weeks of motherhood. I read books that gave all kinds of advice that just didn't seem right. I have never let my baby "cry it out" even though parents, in-laws, and grandparents have all at some point told me I'm spoiling my child. At five months old, she is happy, well adjusted, and easily falls asleep on her own. Mothers and fathers take note-attachment parenting works!! I can actually sense how much trust my baby has in me. This book will be especially helpful to parents of colicky babies. It replaces the feelings of frustration and helplessness with compassion and understanding. I read a few negative reviews from those who found the Dr. Sears to be extreme. Attachment parenting can be incorporated into every lifestyle. I'm a stay at home Mom, but I don't ALWAYS wear my baby in a sling. And though I slept with her for the first few months, she now sleeps in her crib, and takes a morning nap with me. It's just a matter of knowing your baby and following his/her cues rather than following some ridiculous formula that is supposed to work for all babies. Yes, the book almost always puts the baby first. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? Every aspect of parenting should be cherished rather than looked upon as an inconvenience. For those who truly want to bond with their babies-this is the book for you! And just a note to new, first time moms: I spent many nights in the first few weeks crying right along with my colicky baby. So many well-meaning moms gave me advice. Because I was new at the whole thing, I always doubted myself. Was I ever going to have a happy baby? Was she ever going to sleep through the night? What was I doing wrong? Well, any mom who has practiced attachment parenting for a few months will tell you this. After a few weeks, when friends and family tell you you're holding the baby too much, you're spoiling the baby too much, you should let the baby "cry it out" instead of feeling unsure, you will laugh to yourself. Because you'll know inside. You'll know that the parents who are not wearing their babies, not holding their babies, not soothing their babies, not cuddling through the night with their babies, are really missing out on moments they'll never have again. That's when you'll know how wonderful attachment parenting is.
Rating:
Summary: MAGNIFICENT
Review: I AS WELL AS OTHER PARENTS RAVE ABOUT DR. SEARS, "THE BABY BOOK". I TOO USE THIS BOOK WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY DAUGHTER. I CALL HIS BOOK, MY BIBLE! I PURCHASED THIS BOOK WHILE I WAS PREGNANT AND WAS RELIGIOUS ABOUT READING IT. I SPOKE TO MY HUSBAND ABOUT "ATTACHMENT PARENTING" AND WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WOULD SHARE THE SAME SCHOOL OF THOUGHT. HE SAID,, YES, IT SEEMS ONLY NATURAL! BUT DOES IT TO OTHERS, NO. BUT, REALLY WHO CARES, RIGHT? IT FEELS NATURAL TO HAVE MY BABY SLEEP WITH ME AFTER NURSING. I LOVE THE SLING AND I DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. MY BABY IS ONLY 9 WEEKS OLD, HOWEVER, I HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS ON AN 18TH MONTH OLD BOY WHO IS WELL BEHAVED AND VERY SOCIOINCLINED AT HIS AGE. AND THEY TOO, USED THE ATTACHED PARENTING METHOD. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL PARENTS AND I TOO AS OTHER MOM'S HAVE RECOMMENDED IT TO MY PREGNANT FRIENDS. CHEERS TO DR. SEARS. I CANNOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER BOOK. I WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO GET DR. SEARS ON THE TODAY SHOW AND SHARE HIS SCHOOL OF THOUGHT!! BRAVO! BRAVO!
Rating:
Summary: It truly makes you feel parenting is a privilege
Review: I've read several books and have been a parent for 17 years and this book outshines them all. Everything is addressed in a very positive, upbeat way that reinforces your belief in yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to read with an open mind and an open heart. I've already started giving it as gifts at baby showers.
Rating:
Summary: Now that my baby is here, I like this book even more!
Review: I wrote a review of this before my son was born, and now that he's here, I have to say it's even better than I thought. It's the first book I go to when something seems wrong, and I love the section on development. We've been APing from the start (it just doesn't feel right to sleep without him!) and he is a great baby because of it. Strangers come up to us and tell us what a happy, interested baby we have (he's always looking around very intently, and is quite content in his sling), and APing has helped us get through his very fussy first few months. (If we tried to let him "cry it out," he would just keep crying and crying until he was hoarse. He needed, and needs, us to help him calm down... and he's a baby; why should we expect any differently?) Obviously, no one book is going to have all the answers for everyone in every situation. There probably are babies who do better with more "space," and if you have one of those, then Sears is probably not for you. But the majority of babies need their parents a lot, and they will eventually grow out of it; I don't see the need to treat my baby like an adult, or even an older child, until he *is* one. I have bought several copies of this book for my friends as they have babies, and will continue to recommend it for 95% of babies and their parents. Every child should be lucky enough to have parents who *like* being with them and helping them grow.
|
