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Summary: If you can only buy one book, this should be it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: The Penelope Leach book was the best baby gift I received. It needs to be read in parts as a certain subject comes into question, and read over and over and over. Every time I learned something new because all of a sudden things that didn't make sence before were exactly what I needed to hear at that time. Great book, all the tips, practical and psychological. The only other book I needed was "What to Expect: Yhe First Year" also a must have.
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Summary: American readers....feel good about loving your child
Review: As an American, it was refreshing for me to read something that confirms that my 'natural' instincts are great tools for caring for my baby. There is so much confusion created by American doctors and writers. Yes, many Americans still believe you should let your child cry himself to sleep ...it exercises his lungs...and other myths. Read this book for a different, refreshing perspective. You and your baby will be much happier for it.
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Summary: Wordy but still good
Review: Though the work is too wordy, I have to thanks the writer for her research and caring advice. When reading the book, I had the feeling that I had my grandmum standing by my side and showing me how to take care of her little granddaugher. The book has an unique human touch which is absent in other works on baby care. My wife told me that when she was reading the chapter on breastfeeding she felt that she got a friend who truly understood the real-life difficulty in breastfeeding. The weakness of this book is that it is too wordy. With no disrespect to the writer I do think that the length of the book can be reduced by at least one third with no damage done to its contents. Comparing this book with the popular book by the American Academcy of Pediatrics (Caring for Your Bany and Young Child - Birth to Age 5), surprsingly I found the latter work by doctors more reader-friendly and easier to understand. This I believe highlight the major drawback in Penelope Leach's work - too wordy and not straight -to-the-point enough.
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Summary: Make it the First Baby Gift!
Review: This is the first necessary gift to buy the new mother in my opinion. This is an easy reader. Read as you need. I utilized this book for all three of my children and I continue to pass it along to my expectant mother friends and now my grandchildren.
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Summary: Great common sense guidance for your first baby or your last
Review: I used this book when my son was a baby (18 years ago!) and I give it as a gift at every baby shower I go to! Common sense! practical! helpful! soothing! Penelope Leach has written a great guide to help you through those unsettling, unsure moments... I great how-to guide to parenting!
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Summary: Good common sense advice
Review: Leach strikes the right balance between strictness and leniency. She's number one when discussing child development and emotional issues. I also think having the Dr. Spock book on hand for the medical issues that could come up is handy. Both books together are quite definitive.
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Summary: Fabulous reference material for parents!
Review: Ms. Leach has written a wonderful book to be used as a reference for new parents and seasoned parents alike. There is a very comprehensive index so you can easily locate the subject you are seeking information on. The book is divided into sections by age groups and it is extremely user friendly. I also used "What to Expect in the First Year" (another incredible must for every parent!) in conjunction with this book in my children's first year of life. Between the two books they certainly covered any questions I had from illnesses to scheduling to bathing from nursing or formula to friendships. I would highly recommend Ms. Leach's book and I am going to purchase a copy for my brother and sister-in-law who are expecting their first child in April. Enjoy!
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Summary: The child rearing bible
Review: The original book was given to me. It turned out to be my bible. EVERYTHING you need to know about a baby's development and care is in the book. Now, I give the book to everyone I know when they are expecting their 1st child.An incredibly well organized book with easy to find and understand information.
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Summary: If ever there was an "owners manual" for parents, this is it
Review: Penelope Leach is able to make you understand exactly how a baby feels and thinks at any given moment, happy or cranky, that will arise in your baby's day. During sleepless nights walking around with a crying infant, you can recall her vivid text and it enables you to remain calm and master the art of parenting. Every parent should have a copy and read it twice!
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Summary: Great for first-time and fifth-time parents
Review: Whether you are having your first baby or your fifth, Penelope Leach offers valuable parenting skills in an easy to understand format. I received my first copy as a shower gift for our first child and it was the best gift I ever received. I used it so much I've had to purchase a new one since the first one was so worn out. We've had two more children since then and when it comes to figuring out what baby needs...Penelope Leach's approach of "It's YOUR baby, what do you think?" is the only way to go.
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