Rating: 
Summary: Not as happy as I thought I would be.
Review: The fact that his views are better than everyone else's is clear throughout this book. Some advice is very useful I think, but not at all understanding to different parenting choices and styles. Covers breastfeeding and formula feeding but says that "if you've already given it [breastfeeding] a good try and disliked it (or if you don't even want to try), your baby still stands a very good chance of being healthy." Comments like these are too judgmental and not at all helpful. Of course, if you are of this same mind, then it's the perfect book for you!
Rating: 
Summary: I highly recommend it.
Review: The New Basics is a beautiful and well-written book. Dr. Cohen's original perspective is evident everywhere in its pages. I particularly liked what he wrote about Attachment Parenting, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Multilingual Environment. Check out for yourself Dr. Cohen's chapter on breastfeeding. He does not strictly adhere to the standard one-year recommended timeframe, but is very supportive of breastfeeding and offers a lot of practical advice that (seems to me) to empower both mom and baby. In general, the book is a treasure trove of information. It is rare to get such refreshing, candid advice from a published doctor.
Rating: 
Summary: Clueless
Review: There are lots of unusual opinions in this book. Here's a good example: Page 315 says "No matter what you may have heard or read, toilet training is unnecessary." He says it's a normal part of development and "does not require training." Huh? My toddler's going to do it all on his own??? He says to let him run around naked at 18 months, buy a potty chair, and when he has to go he'll "remember this new piece of furniture". (Oh, so that's where the book cover idea came from.)He thinks dentists and dental care are unnecessary for a baby, advising on p. 320 "don't bother with toothbrushing until 12 to 18 months" while the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to brush at the first sign of a tooth - mine get teeth at 4-5 months old. Under sleep he answers the question "When is my baby going to sleep through the night?" with "Never." That's reassuring. Colic - Page 73: "As far as I'm concerned, colic does not really exist." (One of mine had colic, and yes, it does exist!) He says they cry because they "never get the opportunity to cry" so they "cry all the time." I'm confused... And how to deal with excessive crying? Let her cry herself to sleep. Gas doesn't exist either, according to the author "Gas is not a sign of discomfort" "do not give in to the temptation to help Lucy get rid of gas my massaging her belly or pumping her legs or burping her." As a woman who has breastfed my children, and overcome many obstacles I cannot believe the erroneous information this author writes on the topic. He makes plenty of assumptions based on ignorance. He refers to breastfeeding as "popular" and says that the ideal breastfeeding consultant is "your mother or an older sister" and says of lactation consultants "beyond the expert hand-holding, however, I take a dim view of their professional equipment and theories." (p.48) and the first choice for help is a female family member, but if you don't have one "hire a lactation specialist to come help out at your house, as long as she leaves her equipment at hers." (Whatever that means, my LCs never had any strange equipment!) He goes on to say that breastfeeding is easy and gives odd advice, for example, if your baby has difficult latching on "let her work harder for her meal." (Oh that oughta work!) Under the family bed he says that "it's a challenge to create a larger family when your family is in your bed." Lots of co-sleeping families have more than one child! William Sears, the most vocal proponent of the family bed has eight children. There's an odd disrespectful tone throughout, such as when talking about crooked teeth "If Lucy's fangs initially erupt crookedly don't be concerned." I'm afraid to read any further. Definitely look for an alternative to this questionable book such as What to Expect, Gentle Baby Care, The Baby Book, the AAP Guide.
Rating:
Summary: Not Nearly A-Z
Review: This book is sort of "hip", I guess, but it doesn't provide the sort of complete information the title would suggest.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Basic
Review: This book sets forth a variety of topics in alphabetical order. For instance, if your child has a rash, you can look up rash and there will be a small blurb on it. I would have preferred a book that discussed things in a developmental time line. I was trying to figure out what things I can expect my daughter to do at this stage in her life and the book just wasn't set out that way. Also, I thought some of the advice was just too basic. Even as a first time mother, I already had read all the advice the author gave in other books or had learned the information through word of mouth. But if you want an alphabetical, dictionary-type book, then it was easy to read and understand and might be helpful.
Rating: 
Summary: We really liked it
Review: This book was given to me very recently, and I find it entertaining and extremely informative. Michel Cohen has a message: don't fix it if it ain't broken, but love and care for your child with no limits. In this age of hyper-medicaliztion, it is great to read about common sense, affection and even humor as the best way to raise children. We tried some of Cohen's advice on our 6-month old daughter and it works wonders. I highly recommend this book from this original and decicated pediatrician, who dares to think out of the box and challenges many unchecked assumptions.
Rating:
Summary: Just wonderful!
Review: This is such a wonderful book. The author list everything in alphbetical order. So whenever I need to look something up it is so much easier. I also love how the author clear a lot of myths and old traditions. I highly recommend this book for all new parents.
Rating:
Summary: A real find!
Review: This is the first baby book I've found (and believe me I have read many) where I acually loved reading it almost like a novel, and at the same time has helped me to relax as a new mother. It's warm and tender without being condescending. I don't feel like I am at school trying to do a good job or trying to analyze its content but can actually apply its information to my experience with my child. I was trying to find confirmation of my dislike of the overmedication thing without jumping to the homeopathic hype either. I am so glad to have found this book and besides my husband likes it too!
Rating:
Summary: excellent, straightforward advice
Review: Unlike previous guidebooks, The New Basics took the needless over-analysis out of the equation and just got to the point! I think 1st time moms will truly benefit from Dr. Cohen's care to debunk many of those same myths/wives' tales I endured througout my daughter's first six months (you'll appreciate his friendly tone). So far, the book has provided me with valuable guidance on breastfeeding, sleeping, colic, discipline, etc. and now lives on my night table. Although my back-up guide is somewhat preachy at times (substitute cake with "fruit" on my baby's 1st birthday? Oh please!), "What to Expect the First Year" is also worth the investment.
Rating:
Summary: Don't give birth without it!
Review: We got the book after it was reviewed and highly recommended by Urbanbaby.com. What a treat! We have already put it to use many times. For example, following Dr Michel's advice in the sleep chapter, our 4 month-old who used to keep us up all night is now slumbering through the morning without a peep. The book which is written in a friendly and witty tone infused us with calm and confidence and empowered us as new parents to trust our own instinct.
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