Rating: 
Summary: We're completely "attached" to Attachment Parenting!!
Review: As a 4th-time-around mom, my only regret about buying this book in 1993 was not buying hardcover--our copy is completely dog-eared and falling apart from use! Back then, as first-time parents, my husband and I happened upon the Sears' book and were so relieved to find a parenting guide which combined medical expertise with extensive personal experience and, on top of that, actually reinforced the use of our instincts as parents. It's extremely comprehensive and well-organized. We love the presentation of "the facts" balanced with the narrative/personal examples which Mrs. Sears has contributed. We are often complimented on how out-going, well-adjusted and secure our children appear to be. Time and again, we find ourselves giving a great deal of credit to "The Baby Book" for guiding our parenting choices. Reading the reviews on this book here, I found the majority of readers couldn't say enough wonderful things about it...so many "5 stars"!!! Then there were a few "1 stars." These people seemed very concerned with the supposed "guilt trip" Dr. and Mrs. Sears were unloading on them. I guess I just didn't see it...my husband and I have coined the term "convenience parenting" for those wishing to parent "the easy way" (ie. sleeping through the night at two months after birth, the "cry it out" philosophy and the very notion that a baby can actually be spoiled by too much attention!) Any way you look at it, parenting is NOT an easy venture, but at the same time is so incredibly important...maybe a little bit of well-placed guilt isn't such a bad thing. Granted, everyone's parenting situation is different. Because of this, there will never be a perfect parenting book...glean what you can from this one. So you can't do 24/7 "baby wearing" because you both work--have your child-care provider read that chapter!!...etc., etc. Take what the book says with a grain of salt and tailor it to your needs. At any rate, both my husband and I have gained a great deal from "The Baby Book." As a physician, he readily recommends it to his new-parent patients. And I buy it for every baby shower I attend. I would truly like to thank the Sears for all they have given us through this book...how wonderful it must be to have him as a pediatrician! Give this book a try...I doubt you will be sorry!
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: This book is the best baby book I have read. Obviously it stirs lots of controversy, judging from the other reviews, yet most of the negative reviews seem to focus on those reviewers' defensiveness at their inability to follow the books suggested style of attachment parenting. Most of what is contained in the Sears' book is the way babies were raised for many generations, and therefore most of their techniques would come very naturally to parents. The Searses question a crib (or cage as I've heard them called by people from other cultures) in a separate room, over children sleeping with parents; they question formula over breastfeeding. Well, the United States is the only country (or culture) in the world which sleeps its children alone in separate rooms inside of cages, and the only one which prefers manmade formula rather than the food women naturally produce for their offspring. It is worthwhile to read the Sears' book and use as many of its suggestions as you can. Really, they are just suggesting raising our children in the way that generations of people the world over have raised children, before it was a money-making business. They are suggesting that children need their parents over anything else. And, to contradict others' reviews, in no way does the book suggest that fathers do not play an important role in baby's life. They give suggestions based on either parent fulfilling the roles necessary to a baby's development. My husband uses this book as much as I do. I am looking forward to my friend recieving the copy I am ordering for her today, and I would suggest this as an excellent new baby gift, preferably given long before the due-date -- which is when I had the most time to read it and make premeditated choices in how I wished to parent my daughter.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but works great for us!
Review: Being a first time parent is very overwhelming. Before our son was born I somewhat questioned their philosophy but now I really believe in the Sear's philosophy of attachment parenting, being the parent of a very special high needs guy! When others try to tell us that we are "spoiling" our baby by doing what is working for us, it is great to be able to reread their philosophy and know that we are doing what works best for us. Maybe if I had a very easy/calm baby to care for I wouldn't agree with their philosophy. Instead of feeling guilty for practicing attachment style parenting, I know that what I am doing is right for my baby and me. When the frustration levels rise and I begin to question my parenting capabilities, I open up the book and feel reassured. It is a great reference guide. Breaks up developmental milestones, easy text to read and understand.
Rating: 
Summary: Vastly overrated
Review: What makes "The Baby Book" different from many other equally comprehensive baby care books is the authors unrelenting advocacy of what they call "attachment parenting". The Sears' claims for "attachment parenting" are hyperbolic and the reader's reaction to many of their assertions may well range from skepticism to alarm. The Sears' identify the 5 AP concepts as 1) connecting with the baby early, 2) reading and responding to your baby's cues, 3) breastfeeding, 4) wearing your baby and 5) sharing sleep with your baby. According to Sears, adherence to these principles will "improve behavior, development and intelligence." New fathers who had hoped to play an active role with the new baby will find that their role is different than they had hoped: According to Sears, "[T]he father's role is to create a supportive environment that allows the mother to devote *her* energy to the baby" and "Father's job is to nurture the mother so that *she* can nurture the baby" (Emphasis added). On a section regarding bottlefeeding a breastfed child, Sear suggests that the mother enlist the help of an experienced bottleffeding grandmother or bottlefeeding friend to give the bottle--the possibility that Dad might want to feed his child is curiously omitted. But perhaps not so curious after all--Dad is given pretty short shrift throughout the book, particularly in the chapter on "Nighttime Parenting". "The Baby Book" is full of paragraphs that begin "Studies show" --unfortunately there are no citations to any of these studies and the lack of citations leaves the reader wondering. For example, at one point he writes of a study that contrasted 2 groups of children, one "securely attached" and one not. The reader might well wonder how "securely attached" was defined and determined. This question crops up throughout the book,particularly when Sears speaks of his own "surveys"-- his biases are so evident thoughout the book that it is hard to much stock in the objectivity of any of his "surveys." The zealousness of the authors in their advocacy of breastfeeding is obvious, however it doesn't excuse their discussion of bottlefeeding. Despite spending 72 pages of the book discussing the benefits of breastfeeding, the Sears cannot resist pening up the (extremely short) bottlefeeding chapter with this comment: "Do infants thrive on formula? Formula fed infants appear to grow normally, but the question is not only do infants grow but do they thrive? Thriving takes growth a step further: growing and developing to an infant's fullest potential. This is an unanswered, perhaps unanswerable question." This is an astonishing statement. Has Sears really never seen an infant who has "thrived" on formula? Amazing if true, since I personally know of quite a few. And the "unanswerable" nature of his rhetorical question is one that can be applied to many of Sears' assertions. One of the most troubling sections in the book concerns mothers with HIV and breastfeeding. This section is buried in the back of the book, instead of included, as one would expect, in the chapters on breastfeeding. Sears acknowledges that HIV can be passed through breastmilk , but then states that there have been cases where babies have not contracted the virus through breastfeeding. Instead of an unequivocal NO to breastfeeding when the mother is infected with HIV, he simply concludes that the mother should discuss it with her doctor. The chapter on "Nighttime Parenting" is predictable. The Sears advocate what they call "shared sleeping." They have little patience with concerns that many parents consider to be significant--inability to sleep with a baby in bed, the affect of co-sleeping on the couple's relationship, etc. As always, a false dichotomy is set up between the responsive "attached" mother and the "detached" mother. The Sears apparently cannot countenance that it is possible for parents to be very attached to their children but to also want them to sleep on their own because they truly believe that it is best for their children. For that matter, the dichotomy of "attached" parent v. "detached" parent is set up, both explicitly and implicity, in just about every discussion of the Sears 5 attachment "concenpts". "The Baby Book" also raises a lot of questions. The Sears claims that when a mother breastfeeds, "wears" (with a sling), and shares sleep with her baby, that the baby will inevitable grow up to be a more empathetic, sensitive and caring adult. If so, then how to explain the genocidal tragedies of recent years in Rwanda, Liberia, Somalia and other countries where the vast majority of babies are bfreastfed, worn and slept with? Shouldn't it be obvious that there are many other factors that are vastly more significant than how a baby is fed and where it sleeps? And aren't there millions of happy, healthy children (and adults) who are very attached to their parents and families, despite not being raised by the Sears AP tenets? Unfortunately, these are questions that the Sears apparently cannot discuss objectively.
Rating:
Summary: All the information you need, with advice that makes sense
Review: This is a great book. I opened it and never again opened my "what to expect the first year" book (I just can't stand that fake-question format which makes it impossible to find an answer on a specific topic unless you can guess which chapter it's in). For starters, this book contains a wealth of information - a list of most allergenic foods, a list of reasons baby might not be sleeping well (from scratchy sleepwear to an ear infection), lists of what solid foods to start introducing when, how much a baby needs to eat, when is a fever something to worry about, how to treat a cold in the baby. I'm constantly opening this book to check on something I have questions about. As for the parently advice, it's clear that for any parenting book, you should take what makes sense to you, perhaps try some new things our and then not worry about the rest. For me, the concept of "attachment parenting" is just what I was ready to read - yet, like any book, I had to adjust what I was reading to my situation. Co-sleeping didn't work for us - our baby slept better alone. Baby-wearing worked great until my baby was old enough to sit and play on the floor - which she came to prefer. I started solid foods a month earlier than they recommended, and progressed a little faster than they recommended, because my baby really seemed to want to get started on "real" food. I went back to work part-time at 3 months and quit breastfeeding at 5 months. My husband and I always responded to our baby's needs - and we feel, as a result, we have a baby who cries only when something is clearly wrong. When she wakes in the morning or from her naps, she lies there making small sounds until we come get her. Otherwise, she sleeps 10 hours a night and has done since 4 months of age. It *is* possible, at least in our case, to help a baby to sleep through the night without forcing it to "self-comfort". I do not agree that the book lays on a guilt trip on working moms. The authors clearly state that there are situations when mothers have to work, or mothers want to work and then they go on to point out ideas for how to keep a close attachment to you baby even though you work. They rightfully say that parenting a baby or a child is a serious job, and therefore all options should be considered which might make possible the best parenting. For me, what I read reinforced my belief that I wanted my baby to stay in a family care situation than in a daycare center. I also do not agree that the book proposes that a mommy or daddy live in sleepless states desperation until the baby decides to sleep through the night. What the book does promote is a close and responsive relationship with the baby. We persevered in responding to our baby at night until we realized that what she needed was a "top-off" feeding just before we ourselves went to bed. She drank that in half-sleep, and then didn't wake up until morning. The book also clearly proposes that the father be an important part of the nurturing of the baby.It is true - a baby needs comfort just like and even more than adults do. If you were crying over something someone said that really hurt your feelings and you asked your husband/wife for a hug and the response you got was "well, I think you don't need a hug, you should just deal with this by yourself" What would you do? Well, a baby can't do anything when presented with such a heartless response except to keep asking for your help. It needs a response. And if you are too tired or worn out or the baby has been crying for days and hours on end, then for goodness sake, get help and get support. Call a friend, call the neighbor, join a group of some kind, anything. Noone, and no couple is expected to raise a baby alone. This book advises you on what your baby needs, and then it gives you ideas and information on how to meet those needs. It's your job, as a parent, to fit your life to those requirements, and to get the help that you need, in the way that works best for your baby and for your family.
Rating: 
Summary: Fathers and Working Mothers: Choose Another Book
Review: William and Martha Sears speak from experience - they have eight children and are both pediatric health care providers. Much of this book is very helpful for the uneducated new parent. The chapter on breastfeeding is quite informative; however, as a first-time mom who returned to work 3 months postpartum, all I got from this book was a major guilt trip. Dr. Sears is a big proponent of attachment parenting which has 4 basic requirements: the mother must be the primary caregiver, the mother must breastfeed, the mother must wear the baby in a sling as much as possible, and the mother must sleep with her baby. As you can see, this philisophy does not allow for a working mother or a father as primary caregiver, and Dr. Sears is very inflexible with his philosophy. I stopped referring to this book because I just couldn't relate to it and it was more of a burden than a help. Buy Dr. Spock or the American Academy of Pediatrics guide to the first five years unless you're a stay-at-home mom who doesn't need sleep.
Rating:
Summary: This book is outstanding
Review: We have just had our first child and receive many conflicting suggestions about parenting. The Baby Book has been an invaluable resource for us. We have consulted it many times for various problems and have found clear, concise answers to out questions. It offers a style of parenting which is based on love and closeness. It sits on our nightstand for easy access!
Rating:
Summary: A warm , comfortable, sensible approach to parenting.
Review: I was prompted to review this book when I read the customer comment dated 3/5/99 from California. I am a working mother who bottle-fed and I use this book as my bible. Despite the fact that we do not co-sleep and I did not "wear" my baby as the Searses suggest, I found their philosophy and approach to parenting sensible and natural. Their information on nutrition and solid feeding is outstanding. I did not understand their book to be a suggestion that parents become slaves to their children, rather a reminder that moms and dads would be strongly advised to take parenting as seriously as any other chosen occupation. I have enjoyed the entire book. As with everything I read on parenting, I take what seems to make sense in my life and try to apply it. As the book contains chapters like "Bottlefeeding with Safety and Love" and "Working and Parenting/Keys to Working and Attaching" I have a hard time understanding the venom of the previous review. I plan to have the book sent to my cousin who has just had her first.
Rating:
Summary: SEVERE LACK OF COMPASSION & UNDERSTANDING!!!!!
Review: This is absolutely the WORST book I have ever read about baby care. When I purchased it, I was anticipating REALISTIC suggestions on how to best meet my childs needs but what I got was info on how to be a baby's slave! Moms & Dads need to take care of themselves too in order to take care of the kids well. Then there is the chapter about bottlefeeding! Formula is an "experiment"?!! Guess what Bill & Martha, NOT EVERYONE is capable of breastfeeding!!! This book suggests that a child who is bottlefed is not nurtured or loved as much as a breastfed one is!! YOU ARE WRONG!!! I bottlefed and I challenge ANYONE who would say that I love my child less because I bottlefed her! Nurturing & love come from the heart, not from the breast or the bottle! Also, leave the working moms alone! They love their kids too! Or would you rather see them homeless and breastfeeding? Moms have to work for a reason! To financially support their kids because they LOVE THEIR KIDS and they want them to have a roof over their heads! Learn compassion people!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A positive and encouraging guide for intuitive parenting.
Review: This is an easy to read primer for 'attachment parenting'. The Sears' present the ideal picture of early parenting...this means not every idea will work for all of us because we do not all live ideal lives. The point is to take what you can from this wonderful book and apply what works for your family and discard what doesn't...thats one of the interesting/frustrating aspects of being a parent-figuring it out! This book starts at the golden ideal, tailor it down to fit your life and at least know your starting with the best.
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