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Summary: Do Not Buy this Book!
Review: Ugh! This book is only useful for those parents who want to buy into the "attachment parenting" theory hook, line and sinker. There is no objective advice to be had here-- everything is another example of the "dont let bad advice stand in the way of a good theory." There are many theories of parenting, and this book has picked a particularly cultish one. You will be a slave to your infant if you subscribe to these views. The first 100 pages are about "bonding" (the B word!) before the book gets down to any useful information about jaundice, cradle cap, bathing... etc.
For opposing theories, see On Becoming Babywise or Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.
Rating: 
Summary: the best book I've seen!
Review: I am extremely impressed by this book. I have used this book too many times to count with my two-year old, and I'm glad I have it now with my two-month old. Any time I have questions, I've been successful finding the information I've needed in The Baby Book. It has helped me diagnose problems such as yeast rashes, thrush, and roseola before I've taken the baby to the pediatrician. Even though there is a large stress on attachment parenting (perhaps too much for some), it is an excellent resource for parents. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has or will have a baby in the near future.
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Summary: Finally! A Parenting Book of Common Sense
Review: Dr. Sears is great! His books are filled with common sense, true, but sometimes a new parent just needs to hear that their instincts are okay. We bought this book during the last trimester of pregnancy for its information on the labor and delivery process, and read it cover to cover right away.
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Summary: THIS IS THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED!!!!!!
Review: If you only buy one baby book, BUY THIS ONE!!! If you have a pregnant friend or relative, but this for them! I collected a whole shelf of baby books during my pregnancy, but this is the only one I reach for, time and time again. it covers _everything_, from sleeping problems and how to give baby a bath to when to buy shoes and when to start solid foods and which ones to go with. I have a happy baby thanks in part to this book, and I just can't recommend it highly enough. I wish I could give it 10 stars. Read this and pay attention to your kid, and sometimes you will know more about what's going on than your pediatrician. Dr. Sears is full of good sensible advice. I also recommend his Birth Book and his Discipline book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful for first time parents
Review: This book has been great. My mom gave it to me as a present while I was pregnant. I am able to pick up this "book of everything" when I need to figure out what might be wrong with my baby. I found out about clogged eye ducts and how to treat them. He woke up with them clogged on Saturday so I had to wait until Monday for a doctors appt. By the time we got there he was fine. The book really is wonderful for first time parents. It helps to put your mind at ease when you think something is wrong. You just read the related section and you know what you need to do or not do. I definitely recommend it to all first time parents. I kind of agree with one ladies review about cosleeping. Althought we LOVE the closeness with our baby and it helps me sleep since I'm breastfeeding - I do need to be there to help my baby fall asleep at night and naps. It is very hard EVERY night. I wish my husband could help. Thats my only gripe. I wish I could call him to get help to my question.
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Summary: Great Book
Review: I have read practically EVERY book out there...literally! I just got this book and love it. It has so many details. It goes into depth, which is what I wanted, instead of just generally talking about babies. Great book.
PS The breastfeeding book is great also (by the same author).
Rating:
Summary: Best Baby Book Out There
Review: As typical first time parents, we loaded up on dozens of pregnancy and baby care related books. After reading all of them, my husband and I agree that this book is by far the best. The book is filled with sound parenting and baby care advice on every topic that new parents are concerned about. I buy copies of this book for all of my expecting friends. The other books by Dr. Sears & his wife are also well worth reading (Pregancy book, Breast Feeding book, Family Nutrition Book, Discipline Book,...)
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Summary: Lot's of good information
Review: This book has provided a great deal of basic information for my husband and I as we venture into parenthood. I feel comfortable with a lot of the advice and suggestions in the book. One caveat: most of the books by the Sears overlap fairly significantly. They are strong advocates of attachment parenting and sometimes, they seem trite in offering the same advice as a cure-all for what ails baby: hold them more. Interestingly, on the "Ask Dr. Sears" website, he contradicts himself - suggesting that babies 'cry it out' while in car seats. I sent e-mail asking for clarification/ resolution on this contradiction in his approach (because in any other situation, he advocates never letting your baby cry without holding them, tending to them, etc). He never responded. For this reason, I would suggest new parents approach the Sears' books with reserved caution. For the most part, I think they are valuable; however, whole-sale adoption of their advice will most likely leave you frustrated and feeling like you're out to sea without good oars at some points.
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Summary: Helpful book :-)
Review: I've really enjoyed The Baby Book. It is easy to use as a reference book (mile stones at a glance sections) and somewhat friendly to just read straight through. I have found it informative and not preachy. I've read other baby books and I've been shocked by how they tell you how to raise your child and if you don't do it their way, you'll screw up your child forever (i.e., Babywise)!! Sears & Sears give suggestions, but basically tell you to try things and see what works for you. I've especially love the advice of if anyone questions you about how you're doing something with your baby, blame it on the doctor. This has helped me and my friends to stop nagging mother-in-laws and their best intentions on child rearing. Overall, no book can tell you how to raise a child, but they can offer help on how to stop crying, promote good eating habits, and ease your mind that you are not the only one with these questions.
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Summary: Useful in some areas, but not a comprehensive book
Review: I am basically an advocate for what the Sears encourage: stay-at-home mothering, attachment parenting, wearing a sling, and sharing sleep. For those reasons, I like using this book as a reference and I enjoy reading about what has worked for the Sears in their parenting styles. For baby care, as in finding information on common baby illnesses and problems, though, I find it lacking. Most of the problems I've encountered while raising my 3-month-old were not mentioned at all in this book. We have endured dehydration (completely missing from the breastfeeding section), eye swelling (a common problem along with baby's cold, but again, absent from this book), and other minor issues, all of which were not discussed in the medical parts of the book. The most use, then, is found in their descriptions of effective parenting. I realize that the Sears are trying to teach an ideal way of parenting, and that their model is a difficult one to achieve, but I really believe they are thinking of what is best for the child. Our baby is the happiest baby I have ever seen, and I'm sure it's due to the security she feels from having her parents so close and always nurturing. As parents we are happy too, knowing that we are providing a loving and stable home for our child.
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