The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)

Rating:
Summary: If you are looking for a guilt trip read this book...
Review: As a first time mom I was anxious to have a guide to new babies that would help me do the right thing. This book however made me feel that nursing continually, sleeping with your baby (thus sacrificing your own sleep) and wearing your child 24 hours a day is essential to having a well adjusted happy child. His advice to parents with fussy children is to spend even more time with them. As a parent of a "high need" baby that cried continuously for his first six weeks, Dr. Sears made me feel guilty if I put the baby down long enough to eat or sleep myself during the first 6 weeks of my baby's life. His suggestions that the mother sacrifice her entire sense of self (without a similar emphasis on the father) is too demanding for most women and unfairly burdens the mother. I would never recommend this book to a new or nervous mother unless I wanted to assure that she ended up sleep deprived, guilty and unhappy.

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Sears has written the best books
Review: My wife and I bought dozens of books on birthing and raising children before our daughter was born last December. Classics like "What to expect When you are Expecting" were great, but it wasn't until we found "The Birth Book" and "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears and his wife, that anyone said anything that made sense to us. We recommend the Sears books above ALL others in birthing and child rearing, and give it as a gift to all of our expecting friends. I truely believe that if more people listened to, and practiced, "attachment parenting" techniques, the world would be a better and less violent place - and all of our children would feel loved and secure.

Rating:
Summary: The best one -stop reference guide for all things baby.
Review: My copy of this book is well worn and has pages that are falling out. Granted I have three kids, but I have used this book for every one of them and often find myself re-reading parts that I had forgotten about. A great reference manual for all the problems, illnesses, and joy that you will experience with your child. I love to send this book as a baby gift.

Rating:
Summary: fantastic complete resource for parenting
Review: I recommend this book for all parents in my midwifery practice. Comprehensive information and advice, yet allows and encourages parents to make their own parenting decisions. Good breastfeeding support. Vital information on how to choose and relate to a pediatrician or other baby doctor. Good investment.

Rating:
Summary: The best baby book out there
Review: This book was great- it was full of helpful information that especially helped me thru the first few months tremendously. It also gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and not let others sway me on such things as my baby sleeping in our bed and our nurturing of her. I have read other books but I feel that this book had the most information that I needed.

Rating:
Summary: Working Outside the Home Mother who LOVED this book!
Review: I'm frankly surprised by the number of people who thought this book described some sort of idealized world that's unachievable in reality. I didn't discover this author until my second child, but since I did choose to continue working outside the home, I adopted many of Sears' tools for attachment BECAUSE of that choice -- since I was giving up so many hours with my babies during the day, I wanted them with me at night, and hold them as close as possible! And since I was exposing them to so many germs in their child-care situation, I WANTED to breastfeed exclusively for as long as possible. Many people have tried to lay guilt trips on me because of my parenting choices, but this author isn't one of them -- I found this book to be full of practical, do-able, ideas for caring for and enjoying babies! Not to mention he's a very well-respected pediatrician -- the medical advice is right on and written in an understandable yet not condescending manner.

Rating:
Summary: very reassuring to follow your instincts
Review: This book was very helpfull to follow my gut feelings for raising our twins. Many of the topics covered were my desires, like the family bed, but was afraid to do because of family influence. It was wonderful to pick up a book and find a Dr and father of 7 who is saying what I have felt. It would make moms who have to return to work feel guilty, but it helped me not feel guilty for the choice not to return to work. We have sacrificed alot without the income, but being with my children and watching them has been better than anything. The family bed saved alot of fatigue and I am happy to say that at 2 1/2, my children sleep in their beds on our floor. It did not hamper our sex life at all as we are expecting again and are planning on putting this one in bed with us too.

Rating:
Summary: Not the book for career women and contemporary fathers
Review: Society has changed so much in the past 2 decades in regard to women and careers and the role of fathers in childcare. Dr. Sears' book has many excellent areas but it is not up to date in regard to these societal issues which are so important to the contemporary family and up-to-date parenting. I found a book called "Our Baby:The First Year" which acknowledges these important issues and goes well beyond it. I would highly recommend this new (1997) book for any new family.

Rating:
Summary: A working mom who LOVED this book
Review: I'm a working mom and I loved this book! I did think that the Sears's sometimes gave short shrift to dads--I think Dad should be a working moms best ally--but overall I think the book is intelligent, balanced and a refreshing alternative to much that is out there. So many parenting guides assume that the way we've always done things is the best way and the Sears book gives you permission to listen, deeply to what is in your heart as a parent. It IS possible to nurse all night, breastfeed for 6 months, practice "attachment parenting" and still hold down a job. It does require thoughtfulness, flexibility and creativity and I believe if this book is read with an open, non-defensive mind it can help provide the tools parents need to accomplish this rewarding goal. When we told my husband's grandmother that we were allowing our newborn to sleep with us she heartily endorsed our decision. Perhaps Sears' ideas are not really all that new!

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BABY BOOK OUT THERE!
Review: It was refreshing to read. After reading so many boring child books where the author just states scientific facts it was nice to hear about the personal experiences they have gone through. This is one of my favorite books. I have some of their other books as well. Two of their sons have gone on to become pediatricians themselves probably because of their wonderful role models they grew up with!