Rating: 
Summary: Pessimistic Projections
Review: I was very disappointed to discover that a book that was supposed to be funny was actually depressing. For example, the conclusory concept that you WILL be sleep deprived after you have your baby, and there's nothing much you can do about it. Other books discuss techniques for catching sleep - this one says essentially that you should "grin and bare it." Another customer review said "it ruined my day" and I agree. I wasted a perfectly good day freaking out over how I was going to function without sleep. With so many inspiring books about lovingly beginning one's life as a parent, why spend one's precious (awake?) time on this condescending obnoxious material. Any girlfriends I've ever had that became this overbearing now have a line through their names in my phone book.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining read
Review: I enjoyed this book. However, I thought it was supposed to deal with the first year, but it mainly focuses on newborns and adjusting to them. Overall, the book was very entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: not as good as the first one but still worthwhile
Review: I loved her girlfriends pregnancy book. It's the one book that made me laugh and feel sane when pregnant. I didn't enjoy this one as much, but I still felt it was funny and insightful. It seemed to skip around a bit, and therefore was harder to follow. And one of the things I enjoyed the most about her first book was the lack of judgment, and this one definitely seemed more harsh. Her dietary advise seemed pretty tough. I'm not sure we should tell new moms that 1 meal a day is a good idea. Otherwise, I thought it was enjoyable and definitely worth the $$$. I would love to have her as a girlfriend. I don't have to agree with everything she says to enjoy her insight and perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: The pregnancy guide is better
Review: While I laughed and learned all the way through her pregnancy guide, I found this book to be less entertaining and much less informative than the book on pregnancy. Basically, I see this as mindless entertainment, rather than a guide full of information that anyone would actually use to help with a new baby. I found it depressingly narrow minded, and of little practical help at all. Save your hard earned money and buy yourself and baby something you can use! I wish I'd borrowed this one from the library instead.
Rating:
Summary: Girlfriend...or Enemy!
Review: I was so relieved to see how many women gave this book a low score! Thank goodness I am not alone in despising this book. I have only made it through 20 pages or so and am shocked at how uninformed the author is. I almost threw is away when I read the line that all "girlfriends" recommend having your baby in the hospital. I know it's the most common place...but unfortunately it is truly not the most safe for healthy (no risk factor) moms. For more on this I recommend Ina May's Guide to Childbirth or Birthing from Within. I'm not saying you have to go natural...but at least get information about your birth options from a reliable source...not a Playboy model (I have nothing against Playboy models, wish I could be one, but I think you get my point here). Just reading a few chapters of this book ruined my day. I hope you don't make the same mistake. Pregnancy and childbirth is a beautiful, amazing and very normal/natural thing. Women should be empowered by the experience - not made to feel shame or embarrassment for the changes our bodies undergo. I don't think I'll even finish reading the book. But if I do perhaps I'll write more. I just couldn't resist voicing my opinion! Vicki Iovine is NO girlfriend of mine!
Rating:
Summary: Fun but not realistic
Review: This is a fun read, but doesn't really address the depth of emotions and frustrations that new moms experience during the first year of the motherhood. It can give you a laugh and a few good tips, but don't count on it to make a major change in how you feel. --Sheryl Gurrentz, author of "The Guilt-Free Guide to Your New Life as a Mom"
Rating:
Summary: DO NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY!!!!
Review: This book has a few entertaining parts, but nothing that should be taken seriously. And judging by the information contained in this book it is safe to say Vicki Iovine did not do her homework. Starting with her advice on colic. She states most of her "girlfriends" found that the problem was with the babies tummy. They came to this conclusion by observing the baby strain and pull their legs up, so they assumed it was a digestive problem. Right....
My daughter does this even when she's happy and just playing. Colic comes from the babies lack of self-calming abilities. Some babies are not able to calm themselves, so that is where the mother comes in. Her solution to this problem: "You must let the baby cry until he goes to sleep." DO NOT JUST LET YOUR BABY CRY IT OUT! This is a common misconception. A baby's mind does not comprehend manipulation, therefore it cannot be spoiled. When a baby cries it's because he/she NEEDS something whether it's food, a diaper change, or just to be held and loved. Letting your baby cry it out develops trust issues later in life. By meeting your baby's needs, he/she will learn to trust you and depend on you. If your child can't trust you, how are they going to trust the outside world? Just something to think about... THE HAPPIEST BABY ON THE BLOCK is an essential when it comes to caring for your colicky baby (or even a non-colicky baby). It defines colic, its causes, and gives the BEST solutions. It's written by Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician. Who are you going to trust, a pediatrician with children of his own, or a woman who didn't do any research before writing her book? Second, she gives advice on exercising. She does suggest not to even think about exercising until your child is at least 3 months. I have to agree with her on that. Taking a walk with your child is okay, but otherwise your body and mind do not need the additional stress or pressure. When you do decide to start working out again do not be afraid of weight lifting or strength training. She states, "weight training is not particularly effective at burning fat." HA! Strength training burns 3 times the fat that aerobics alone burns. 3 times!!! She suggests holding off on weight training until you are within close range of your goal weight to avoid looking bulky. In actuality, most women lack the hormones to develop bulky muscles. Combining aerobics and weight/strength training will get you in shape and looking fantastic much faster. Just start slow. I suggest The Firm for overall sculpting, Pilates for sexy abdominals, Buns of Steel with Greg Smithey, and Yoga just because it feels good. Lastly, those of you who developed stretch marks during your pregnancy, do not feel hopeless. Iovine makes it seem that there is nothing you can do about it, that you're just stuck with them. Do not settle for this answer. I refused to and mine are dramatically fading thanks to my dermatologist's advice. There are treatments available. While they may never completely disappear, you can reduce the appearance significantly. My advice: search the web, talk to doctors and other mothers. The medical term for stretch marks is Striae. This will give you search results from medical journals, etc. on the web. Always keep yourself informed and up-to-date and beware of scams. Overall this book does contain "witty advice" but it is far from wise! I am positive there are more inaccuracies in this book, but I grew tired of all the B.S. and never finished. I decided there were much better things to do with my time, especially with a baby on the way.
Rating:
Summary: If you aren't interested in thinking for yourself...
Review: During my pregnancy, I read a multitude of books on pregancy, the post-partum period, and managing your newborn. I found this book in particular to be supercilious, condescending, and in no way helpful. I would recommend it to women who have no interest in evidence-based methods of handling childbirth, post-partum care, and infant care.
Rating:
Summary: reading it is like gossiping with your girlfriends
Review: That's really what this is... a lighthearted discussion of what motherhood is really like, written by Iovine and her friends. This isn't a childcare manual, and isn't meant to be. It's a funny account of what sort of things you can expect in your new journey. I was a little disturbed by people's reaction to Iovine's weight (how shallow is it to judge her by her weight) and her financial status. Honestly, the fact that she is wealthy doesn't come through in this book... she seems like a pretty average person. This is a fun book, certainly nothing to take terribly seriously, but really nothing to get worked up over, either. I would recommend it to pregnant friends, as a fun, non-preachy book about motherhood. (Note: she does sneer at people who offer unsolicited advise, or who criticize people who make different choices from themselves. If you think your philosophy is so wonderful that you want to beat every mother within 10 miles to death with it, you probably won't like this book).
Rating: 
Summary: A Must have for every new mom!
Review: This book is hilarious! I now buy it for every new mom I know. Vicki's advise is straightforward and witty. It's the only book that helped me through my "baby blues" and had me crying from laughing too hard instead of from seeing my saggy tummy!
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