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Summary: *The* book I recommend to new parents.
Review: I am a childbirth educator and post-partum doula, and _The Baby Book_ is the book I recommend to all new parents. I have refered to it time and again for the information on infant illnesses, positive discipline, breastfeeding and attachment parenting. It is truly the survival guide for the first two years of life.
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Summary: can give a guilt trip
Review: When I first got this book, I thought it was fantastic. It is filled with so much information regarding infant/toddler development, social skills, illnessess, etc. It really has so much info on how to comfort your baby when she/he is sick or just generally fussy. However, not everyone can be with their baby 24/7. I am one of those "stay-at-home" moms, who can try and use some of the techniques in the book. I don't know - it's just that some of the stuff in the book - if you cannot do it i.e., sleeping with your child, rocking him/her to sleep, nursing all night, you get the feeling that your just not living up to some standards of the "perfect" mom. Take it from a mom who has been there four times - IT'S OK TO LET YOUR BABY CRY!! As long as you come in every 10-20 min, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT SUFFER. You as a parent need to be in the right frame of mind to be able to handle your child in stressful situations, so you NEED A BREAK SOMETIMES! Another book I would highly recommend (because it doesn't seem so one-sided) is "The American Association of Pediatrics - Caring for Your Baby - Birth to Age 5."
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Summary: A compassionate, loving way to raise your child.
Review: This book gave me "permission" to do the things that came naturally. My baby is six months old now, and I still go back to this book regularly for advice and support. I wish that I had a pediatrician like Dr. Sears!
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Summary: Fantastic book - great child rearing guide
Review: I have just had my 3rd child and have been using this book as my child rearing guide for the past 4 years. What I loved most is the focus that is given on doing what is best for the kids. How to help them become happy, independant children. Co-sleeping is the best thing we did with our 1st baby. She left our bed when she was ready, which was just about when we were ready. Our 2nd baby was happier sleeping alone, so we let her. With out third; he is in bed with us right now - at 7 weeks old. We'll let him decide if he wants to continue that or not.
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Summary: The best baby book I bought!
Review: After reading everything I could get my hands on before the birth of my first baby, I must say that "The Baby Book" stands out by far among the rest. For me, it mirrored my philosophies without judging others. It has helped - and continues to help - enormously. I wish my daughter could have Dr. Sears as her pediatrician! This book was written by two very loving parents who seem to have an excellent relationship with each other as well as their children. Their compassion just oozes from every page. This is why I just put in an order for their "discipline" book. I know I will be satisfied, enlightened and supported.
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Summary: "Attachment Parenting" is difficult-- and it WORKS!
Review: I bought this book before my son (now 11 months) was born and read all about Sears' "attachment parenting" ideas-- sleep with baby, wear baby, nurse on demand, etc. Once James was born, I was overwhelmed with trying to do all these things, felt exhausted all the time, but was too afraid to stop (Sears argued so firmly that it WOULD work). I cursed Sears for three solid months. Then, gradually, I realized that the system WORKED! My son was clearly securely attached to his daddy and me-- he shines with self-confidence, as if he knows we're with him even if we're not in the room. Whenever I go out, everyone who walks by says, "What a happy baby!" And I credit attachment parenting for making all the difference.The one criticism I have of the book is its strong anti-"cry it out" diatribes. I tried very hard to do this and eventually gave up, and I now don't believe that "cry it out" is anywhere near as dangerous as Sears would have you believe. Keep in mind, while reading, that the Sears didn't fully develop the style they write about until their fourth child, when they had far more experience to work from than the average brand-new sleep-deprived mom. Use the system-- but give yourself a break, too. Good luck :-)
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Summary: The end-all guide to bringing up baby the way you want to!
Review: Dr. and Mrs. Sears have put together an invaluable and easy to read tome of facts and opinions that will make getting and bringing up your baby much more relaxing. Dr. Sears doesn't force one opinion or the other, but objectively describes all the popular (and some not-so-popular) alternatives, and then gives his opinion, based on research and experience, of what works best. The book is amazingly easy to read, and very entertaining - but don't wait until you've had the baby! Get it soon, so that you can think and plan and prepare! Even I, a new father, found myself picking up this book rather than my trashy sci-fi novel, and I'm a changed man. I feel more comfortable doing what we've chosen to do, and less conscious about being "odd" or "different". Every baby is different, and yours will be too - this book tells you how to work with your baby to give him or her what he or she needs and likes most. It's a gem, and I recommend it to all (not just first-time) parents!
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Summary: It has become our baby bible, an excellent reference book
Review: For new parents this is an excellent comprehensive guide to what to expect and how to deal with the unforeseen and unexpected. It is clear and concise. The authors are objective and do not put down mothers who might not be able to give themselves 100% to their babies. This is perhaps the best investment we made before Oliver's birth.
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Summary: A Must Have
Review: I have read so many books of this type however this one stands above the rest. The follow your heart advice has helped me feel more comfortable with my ability as a parent. I highly reccomend this book over any of the others on the market.
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Summary: Extremely realistic and accurate
Review: I've read it before the birth of my first son, Davide, and it's been absolutely useful for the birth itself and for the care of the baby afterwards. I'd strongly recommend it to all the Fathers.
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