Rating: 
Summary: Still confused
Review: After reading this book, I can't decide if this book is supposed to be about parenting, or about Brazelton's personal experiences as a pediatrician. I don't like his advice on letting kids "cry it out", "pushing" nursing infants to "organize" themselves to your own schedule, and how he says that allowing your child to sleep with you (under any circumstances!) will cause problems. He also talks a lot about unrealistic parents' expectations as if they are a reality or the norm around the world, which I found annoying. Not everyone thinks these things-- in fact, many of the negative "expectations" that he said were normal had not even occured to me until I read about them in the book. I actually think it is somewhat damaging that he mentions them in this way, in that it creates an expectation for the expectation to form, when previously, perhaps the parents had never even considered it. For example, he describes parents' tendencies to "compete" with each other for the baby's attention as if this is a fact in every family situation. He also doesn't offer much advice on what to do-- instead he says "try everything" -- if I don't know what "everything" is, then how can I try it? He also doesn't seem to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding enough, as he talks about formula feeding as if it's a choice that is just fine to make, when I believe it should be a last choice in dire circumstances, as it is so much less healthy for infants. I also found Brazelton's tone somewhat condescending, especially when describing how he views parents coming into his office. I would certainly never choose him as a pediatrician after reading this book, and would be offended if I were a current client. I recommend Caring for Your Baby & Young Child : Birth to Age 5 instead. It is basic, clear, and pleasant to read. I also recommend practical classes on baby care and development, as I found them much more useful and reassuring than this book.
Rating: 
Summary: If you could pick only one childcare book, this is it!
Review: Although I believe your gut instinct is the best advice this book is the most helpful resource I have read. Brazelton's advice works like a charm and I say this as an inexperienced, new mother. I find that I now go to this source first and usually don't have to look any further.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK TO HAVE
Review: As a first time mom, I believe that this book & Dr. Spock's Baby & Childcare are two very necessary reference books. You will not go wrong with these two, because they both chart the developmental stages of the child, while giving straight forward information & advice. Mother Love
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, understanding and comforting book!
Review: As a first time mom, I found Dr Brazelton's book to be so helpful. It goes beyond the simple question and answer style that I found in alot of books that are out for parents these days. Dr Brazelton's book helped me to realize that, as a parent, I really do know "what to do". We just need to trust our instincts. A wonderful book, written by a great Dr! Thank you Dr. Brazelton!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't "get into" the book
Review: As a first-time parent, I bought about every parenting book I could get my hands on. This was not one of the better ones. I forced myself to read the first few chapters, but never picked it up again. I couldn't get past the sense that Brazelton wrote with an air of egotisism when he wrote this. It sounded more like self-exaltation to me ("I see this [pregnancy] as the first 'touchpoint' . . .") than as nitty-gritty practical adivce for parents. At first I thought is was just me, but Iv'e talked to other people who have thought Brazelton seems awfully full-of-himself in this book. Brazelton is, however, one of the leading authorities on infant development, and a very gentle, family-centered physician. The strenghts of this book lie with his good insight into coliky babies and his interesting views on potty-training. I have decided to keep the book until I am done potty-training for this very reason, even though it is not one of my essential references.
Rating:
Summary: Sensible, down to earth "advice"
Review: Being a "nervous" first-time parent of a premature baby (who isn't!) I was recommended this by the community early childhood nurse. In the plethora of child-rearing books on the shelves, I would recommend this as the pick of the bunch. Brazelton discusses all sorts of issues to do with children in their early years, always from the child's point of view, but never talking down to parents. I found his words enormously helpful in getting thtough some tough times with colic - it didn't make it any less stressful, but I was able to hang on and get through it, knowing a bit more about it and what was happening to that little person. Brazelton sounds like a wonderfully caring and compassionate pediatrician - I wish he could be cloned! At least you can get his book. I have bought it as a gift for a couple of new-parent friends, and they too have found it enormously useful.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect guide!
Review: Brazelton gives advice in a warm and soothing fashion. We found it to be an invaluable and fairly comprehensive guide to understanding what our children were going through. His approach to colicy babies has helped us and our friends. A perfect guide to early childhood for any anxious parent!
Rating:
Summary: This is a MUST HAVE for new parents
Review: Brazelton speaks loving soothing words to new moms and dads everywhere in this new "classic" child-rearing book. Nothing could have prepared me for the feelings of insecurity of new motherhood. I was saved many times by his brilliant calming style and his words of wisdom. He has an incredibly sensitive way of describing infant behaviors. His advice is easy to follow and said without criticism. I wish he was my Natalie's pediatrician! Get this book new parents! You will learn so much about your baby!
Rating: 
Summary: A So-So Reference Book
Review: Brazelton's articles, column, and television show are far more helpful than this book. It is an excellent overview of developmental milestones, but I found precious little in the way of nitty-gritty every day advice. If you've read Dr. Spock then you've read this. If not, you might find Touchpoints useful as a general behavioral guide. You must remember, though, as Brazelton seems to forget in this instance, that all children do not conform to these rules. This is at best a loose guideline.
Rating:
Summary: randomly helpful
Review: Despite Brazelton's medical degree and experience I found this book as mixed and confusing as most of the "baby whisperer" genre of baby books. His observations based on real research and larger bodies of evidence are sometimes helpful but his personal opinions (most of the book) are often infuriating and quite prejudiced (i.e. it's better to have more than one child because a sibling forces a child to share. Good God) I prefer Penelope Leach or Sears for good common sense insights and less moralizing.
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