Rating: 
Summary: A good reference, but....
Review: I bought this book as a first time parent who wanted something encyclopedic that we could reach for in the middle of the night if necessary, and this book serves that purpose. It has a good index, which is helpful. Unfortunately, the authors seem to take advantage of far too many opportunities to peddle their agenda of weaning children by one year from breast or bottle, as well as getting them to sleep alone in a crib throughout the night. As other reviewers pointed out, they include some inaccurate information about breast feeding, e.g. they say it has no nutritional benefits (does this mean a liquid containing protein and nutrients is the equivalent of a candy cane?) after one year and question if it will somehow delay the development of self comforting skills if the child is able to obtain comfort through nursing. With regard to sleeping through the night alone, they do not simply recommend it, they write that you are depriving your child of the opportunity to learn to self comfort along with a host of other reasons why they believe it can be harmful to comfort your chld at night without commenting on the possible benefits. The bias is not in the questions they raise, but rather in the fact that they do not discuss opposing views. It seems to me that the reason the book elicits strong reactions is that it is probably the best one of its type available. The overall quality of the book makes these areas of bias where the authors state their position as gospel stand out as extremely disappointing to the reader who disagrees with the authors particular biases. There are serious problems affecting children in our country and a high rate of violence among children and adults. We have school programs to teach empathy in an effort to decrease violence among older children. Perhaps this would not be as necessary if those we look to as experts counseled all new parents to show greater empathy to our children and to worry less about teaching our infants and toddlers to comfort themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Contains good information
Review: A helpful handbook to have around the house. Sift through it thoughtfully. The info on breastfeeding is outdated and some of the advice is old fashioned. Overall, it's got a lot of practical information. Other parenting books I'd recommend if you have a toddler are: Kid Cooperation AND Perfect Parenting AND The 10 Greatest Gifts I Give My Children
Rating: 
Summary: A lot of good ADVICE...
Review: And like several previous reviewers have stated, take what works for you individually. Especially breastfeeding. Le Leche is an agenda and practically condemn anyone who deviates from their RULES. My wife worked, so our boy was given breast, and bottled, either 100% breastmilk, mix or straight formula, whatever was available and WORKED for us. He has NEVER had an earache and only 2 colds, and he turns 3 in February. Plus, he was weaned at about 11 months. Soon as he figured out what teeth can do. And getting confused when we would switch? What? Did he even care is the real question! If milk come out of it, he adjusted within two sucks of the nipple. Great book. Recommend to anyone who cares about their children.. and themselves!
Rating:
Summary: Practical and useful -- a must read
Review: Don't be put off by a few negative comments in these reader reviews. There is a reason this series is a national best seller. I have young twins and this book (and the entire series) has been simply invaluable. I use it as a starting point/reference, read a few other books that have different perspectives (I like Penelope Leach but think Dr. Sears is much too liberal for me) and then apply common sense. That is what parenting is all about, right?
Rating: 
Summary: This new Edition is great!
Review: I was very happy to see that they added a chapter on the Special Needs child. I have a 3.5 year old son with Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD), and it is nice to see a book that deals with the entire child. My son has "special needs that have to be dealt with, but he is also your average Toddler.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful information and guidelines to follow.
Review: I found this book a valuable resource of information for raising my toddler; however, I'm disappointed in how it seems to REALLY encourage weaning by baby's first birthday. Millions of us "breastfeeding toddler" Mommies won't agree with that advice whatsoever.
Rating:
Summary: This book is indispensable
Review: I bought WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING for my first pregnancy and I don't know what I would have done without it. Now my child is 13 months and in "FULL TODDLER MODE"!. WHAT TO EXPECT THE TODDLER YEARS has been right on track for the most part and has given me peace of mind on many subjects such as, When to start the weaning process, The NO,NO,NO Syndrome and baby proofing your home. I take all adivse as sugesstions and apply them to my toddler when approriate. Child rearing is very personal and we all have different ways of going about it. This book is ment to be a guide not the Bible. But it can be very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Toddler Book There Is
Review: The "What To Expect" series of books are the best-organized, most balanced series on childcare I have found (and I have browsed through many and purchased many others). The fact that the authors provide, among other things, opinions on what might work for a given child seems to unduly annoy a number of parents and reviewers, even though their pediatricians presumably hold and deliver opinions as well. The book does NOT, contrary to the reviews, encourage mothers to stop breastfeeding at the age of one. It does point out, however, that continuing beyond then will make it more difficult to stop. This has been true for every woman I know who nursed a child beyond the age of one, whether they did so intentionally and happily or whether they simply were too exhausted to wean. As is true of all child care books, you should use only those ideas that make sense to you to help you make sense of the often incomprehensible -- the toddler.
Rating: 
Summary: friendly advice, but some ignorance
Review: The format of this book is appealing, but as with the other "what to expect" books there is bais toward our very new westernized approach to child care. It is not an opinion, but a fact that the AAP suggests breastfeeding past the first birthday due to the numorous benifits afforded both mother and baby. The author's DO show ignorance in promoting weaning by one year.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of information, but poorly organized
Review: Readers who are familiar with What to Expect when You are Expecting and ...The First Year will be familiar with the authors' style and provision of useful answers to simple but important questions parents have. However, I found the format of the book--sections organized by the child's age AND by special topic (e.g. toilet training)--pretty disorganized.
| 
