Rating: 
Summary: Serious inaccuracies!
Review: I am a neonatologist (physician specializing in the intensive care of critically ill newborns, including premature infants), and was dismayed to read serious misinformation in the section on heart murmurs. The book states that heart murmurs in the newborn period are usually pathological, and need to be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist (heart specialist). In reality, at least 50 percent of newborns have heart murmurs, and the vast majority of these are normal. The infant heart beats fast, and the quickly moving blood makes turbulence and noise as it flows through the heart structures and through small blood vessels. This noise can be heard with a stethoscope, and is called a murmur. These murmurs can last for days, weeks or months. Only infrequently is the murmur the result of a heart problem. An experienced pediatrician can usually tell the difference and, if there is any question, a baby can be evaluated by cardiology. An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is the definitive test to evaluate whether a murmur is normal or not. Most babies who are referred to cardiologists are found to be normal. The book goes further to say that even if tests are normal, the baby will be seen by cardiology repeatedly to make sure things are really fine. This is nonsense.
My sister recently had a baby. I heard a murmur when examining the baby, but it was clearly a normal murmur. She read this book and was quite worried by what she read, and I had to reassure her again that the murmur was benign and the book was wrong. I can imagine that many other parents have worried needlessly as a result of this misinformation.
If this degree of medical error is indicative of the rest of the book (which I have not read), then I would avoid this book completely. In any case, it is clear that insufficient effort was made to ensure correctness of the material prior to publication.
Rating: 
Summary: AAP Guide for New Parents
Review: One of the most helpful books I have read since becoming a new parent. It is very descriptive and gives you the opportunity to filter what you feel is pertinent to your parenting skills/development. My pediatrician recommended that we buy it and we are grateful for his suggestion. It has saved me many a headache when I have been worried about my son's health. I just flip to the chapter that discusses what he is experiencing and I find relief/helpful hints. A must-have for all new parents!
Rating: 
Summary: This Book is OK, but there are better ones out there . . .
Review: There is a lot of good information in this book. Mothers are encouraged to "room-in" with their babies in the hospital and breastfeed their babies on cue, not on a schedule. The information on how to breastfeed or what to do if you have problems, is sparse, though. They also recommend that you start the weaning process around 8 months of age, which isn't at all necessary or even part of the AAP guidelines. You'll need another breastfeeding book to supplement.
The information on medical issues is pretty good, although, it isn't extensive.
What I really don't like is the one-size-fits-all attitude towards sleep and discipline. The authors of this book are adamantly against rocking and/or nurisng your baby to sleep. They write that if you are doing this, you should stop. Nursing my baby to sleep works well for our family, and I know that there is no medical reason to stop. If it doesn't work for another family, that's fine. But, I shudder to think that a mother may stop doing what works well for her and her baby because these authors have the arrogance to tell her she shouldn't. They also tell you not to rock your child back to sleep if s/he has a nightmare. Personally, I think that's a parent's choice, not something doctors should dictate. But, if you can take this book with a shaker of salt, it does have it's good points.
If you live near a Publix Supermarket, you can get this book free by signing up for their Baby Club. That's how I got mine, and personally I wouldn't spend my money on it. Instead, we bought The Baby Book by Sears and find it to be much more comprehensive and open to different parenting styles.
Rating: 
Summary: The party line, a useful reference
Review: Over the past year I have actually used this book. I have checked symptoms, read up on developmental stages, and looked at advice on solid foods. There is a little information about everything in here and it is a great place to turn first. Since it is from the American Academy of Pediatrics often the advice in this book is the same thing you will hear from your doctor.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful Guidance Without Causing Anxiety for Parents
Review: This book is really vague and just gives you brief information on different topics, stages, etc. Don't waste your time buying or reading through this book. Instead, get 'What to Expect the First Year' by Eisenberg, Murkoff, and Hathaway....this book addresses individual concerns/topics and is very informative. As a new mother, 'What to Expect the First Year' has really helped me get through some tough nights.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough and Invaluable Reference for Parents
Review: When my daughter was born I tried to find the follow-up book for "What to Expect When You're Expecting" but could not find it since I was living in Egypt at the time. But, while looking I happened upon this treasure trove of information and decided to buy it.I have been very glad I made that choice. This was especially true when my daughter's first doctor tried to convince me that my daughter wasn't getting enough milk. Because I had read the first chapter carefully, I KNEW that my daughter was eating well and re-gaining weight at a normal rate for a one week old baby. If I had not read this book in advance, I might have been tempted to put my daughter on a bottle. Thank goodness this book was so thorough in explaining the development of young children! This book is JAMMED with vital information and advice about childrens overall development and specific health concerns. Granted, it was a bit unsettling to read all of the descriptions of symptoms of various serious medical conditions - but parenting is a case where what you don't know CAN kill you or your loved one! Of course, no book can replace a living, breathing doctor, but given the book's endorsement by the AAP certainly makes me feel better about relying on it and recommending it to my friends. This book is a must have for your parenting library!
Rating:
Summary: Good information, but somewhat biased...
Review: I received this book as a gift when my son was born 3 years ago, and it has remained an invaluable tool for us. My favorite and most-used section is the dosage charts based on weight for Tylenol and Advil, a necessity when it's 11pm and baby has a fever. But half of the book is devoted to explaining the signs, symptoms, and treatments for many conditions. We refer to it constantly, and I gave it as a gift to my friend when she had her baby, and she constantly tells me that it was one of the best gifts she's ever received. I'm here today to buy another one for my sister...This is really bedside reading for any parent, and it's a great comfort and tool.
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