Rating: 
Summary: Must Have
Review: I bought this book after it was recommended by a friend. I originally just had the "What to expect the first year" book that is written in a question/answer format. This book is more of a text type of reading but is very easy to understand and very informative. I use both books because they both offer similar information. This book separates the chapters into several months at a time, while "what to expect" takes it one month at a time. I enjoy both formats so I can read ahead to see what's coming up with my baby as well as concentrate on a specific month's development.
Rating:
Summary: wealth of knowledge
Review: Publix gives this book as a part of its baby program. It is well worthy of all 5 stars, and it makes a perfect baby gift. It is a must-have for new parents! The book is sectioned by age group and then by issue within that age group, so it is very easy to navigate. At first it is a wealth of knowledge for the new parent and then it becomes an excellent reference item as you encounter those inevitable things with toddlers that will challenge and miff you. I've found that the solutions referenced are easily adaptable to any parenting ideology, and at the very least it offers a perspective when you have none.
Rating: 
Summary: Should be included in every parents library.
Review: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, is a basic source on health and wellness for young children. It is systematically written, but is not completely unfeeling to the everyday challenges faced by parents. Important child-rearing issues such as disciplining, and social and behavioral problems are mentioned only briefly, and the ever-popular debate over attachment parenting is disregarded altogether. Part I is not a "month-by-month guide to the first year" as suggested in the editorial. It is categorized as follows: 1st month, 1st month through the 3rd, 4th month through the 7th, 8th month through the 12th, 2nd year, 2nd year through the 3rd, and 3rd year through the 5th. I did not find this arrangement to be as helpful as the month-by-month grouping of What to Expect the First Year, by Arlene Eisenberg. Nevertheless, the overall advice is beneficial, and it is easy reading. The basic infant care information in the early chapters is worthwhile and the Safety Check sections present invaluable advice. Part II is a thorough guide to illnesses and disorders. It is arranged alphabetically for quick reference and is comprehensive in content. In my opinion this is the best part of the book and the reason, it should be included in every parent's library.
Rating:
Summary: An Informative and Trustworthy Source for Parents
Review: Just before becoming new parents, my wife and I decided to "read up" on child care and development, and searched for the texts that would have all the answers. Two-and-a-half years into parenting, I think I can report that no such treatise exists. Nonetheless, this book is the best I've seen. The book is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and to me, this makes it a mandatory item in the library of new parents. So many books in this topic are written by individuals whose qualifications are a bit "shakey", but as an attorney I know that such is the by product of the First Amendment and "freedom of the press". I've found the information contained in this book to be informative, helpful, and easy to understand. The introductory chapters deal with birth and preparation for the arrival of a new baby, and so it would be appropriate to purchase or receive before the child actually "gets here". Other reviewers have indicated that they have given the book as a gift at showers, and we have since adopted this practice. The content follows development (i.e., first months, later years, etc.) and tells you what to look for in each stage, whether emotionally, psychologically, or physically, and notes various milestones. Tips and advice are also included, such as recommendations about strollers, beds, age-apropriate toys, baby's interaction with other children, car seats, treatment of illness, when to contact physician, sleeping and feeding tips, etc. There is also an appendix of illness and conditions, which is very usefull. This is usually the first place we look when needing an answer or when a problem arises. This is a handy reference, and I strongly recommend for at least first-time parents.
Rating: 
Summary: It Does the Job
Review: When I need to reference the book, "it's there." I am not shocked with it's ease of use but it's practical, comprehensive and recommended by my sister who is a pediatrician.
Rating:
Summary: Best baby gift you could ever give - or buy for yourself!
Review: This book has sat, tattered and well read, on my nightstand for the last 3 years. It helped us to set up our nursery and buy baby stuff, and it went with me to the hospital when I delivered. There are excellent chapters on both breast and bottle feeding, and good illustrations on how to bathe and change a baby. I know this sounds simplistic, but I was in my 30's before I had ever changed a diaper and I was terrified about my lack of experience with infants; this book was very informative and reassuring in helping me to learn how to care for my little one. Developmental milestones are presented through the middle portion of the book - stages in walking and movement, food portion suggestions based on weight and age, language and speech, toy suggestions based on development. Recently, my husband and I frantically dove into the book, hoping to discover the difference between a nightmare and a night terror (common with 3 year olds). Of course, everything we needed to know was there (and everything's been fine since!). The back 1/3 of the book is an encyclopedia of illnesses and conditions. I can not tell you how many times we have raced to "the purple section" of this book to see how to deal with the various maladies of our children. Everything is explained clearly with outstanding pencil illustrations. I'm always reading this book when I'm on hold with an advice nurse - and have found that I get much better service when I do talk to them because this marvelous book has given us a common language. Anyone who is having a baby, or has a child under age 5, will be so grateful to own this book. Please consider it as a gift for someone you care about - children outgrow baby clothes, but the information presented in this book will help the entire family to live a better life.
Rating:
Summary: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5
Review: As a first time (older) parent, that's read as much as I can on child development, I've found this indispensable. Whether looking up illnesses/well child information, or reading about the normal stages of child develop. The book covers all the material in simple, clear, and concise manor that is a breeze to comprehend. I love this book and highly recommend it to all new parents.
Rating:
Summary: Half of What We Needed
Review: This is an excellent reference guide for the physical care of children, but it doesn't say much about all the other challenges parents face - discipline, maximizing the children's social and intellectual development, helping children deal with siblings, etc. I used this book as a desk reference, and found Lawrence Kelemen's book, To Kindle a Soul, perfect for mastering the art of parenting. I think this book should come packaged with TO KINDLE A SOUL. The two of them together are about all a parent needs to get started.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: I bought this book when my son was born specifically because of who wrote it. My son's pediatrician often cited the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics. I thought that if she was in agreement with AAP's approach to so many infant issues, than I should be able to trust the book as I trusted the pediatrician. The illness discussions and advice in the book have been very helpful in times of crisis. My instincts regarding my son's care have been supported by the advice of the book and further by the doctors when intervention was necessary. I remember my son's pediatrician being surprised at how well I had handled vomitting with my son. I did everything the way she would have advised. I was only following the advice of the book. I refer to it often. When it advises medical attention we take care of it and in every case the medical attention was truly necessary. In the end you have to go with your gut feeling. Mom (or Dad) always knows when something's wrong with her baby. For the times when you really aren't sure what you should do, the book can often lend you some valuable insight. There have been a couple times when I couldn't find references to a particular symptom, but I would say at least 90% of the time you will find the guidance you seek. For any bothersome situation not addressed in the book, I would suggest calling the pediatrican and explain what's happening. Any time I have done this, the pediatrician has asked to see my son, and every time, something was wrong (usually an infection of some sort). In short, if the book doesn't cover it, call the pediatrician. I would caution anyone expecting to find a book that will replace a doctor. It's just not going to happen. The book should instead be a tool to use along with the pediatrician. I fully recommend this book to any nervous new parent. I will be buying a copy for my sister, as she is expecting her first baby.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book with only one fault
Review: This book is a MUST for every parent! It is a great source for sound information. My only complaint is that since I rely on it so much I believed it was safe to give my 13 month son a bit of bread and peanut butter. The books says it is fine at 12 months. This is not correct, it should be introduced at 3 years or earlier with Dr's advice. I should have waited, my son had a severe reaction to the peanuts. (He didn't even eat it, he spit it out!) No where in the book does it reference severe food allergies or the sometimes fatal result.
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