Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Wonderful Book!!
Review: I highly recommend this book to ALL parents...first timers AND vetrans! Easily referenced, well written, funny and clever to boot; Dr. Brown's book is a gem.
The best parts are the ease in looking up particular issues as well as her "reality checks"!
I am a Mom of two and reference it often. She is up to date and obviously knows her stuff!
Rating:
Summary: Five stars from parenting book author Ann Douglas
Review: I just received my review copy of BABY 411 in the mail and am really impressed with the book.
BABY 411 is the perfect size to tuck in your baby's diaper bag for easy reference so that you'll have it close at hand when you need a quick answer to a baby-related question.Parents will find BABY 411 to be a meticulously fact-checked and information-packed guide -- a must-have pediatric health reference for today's generation of parents. I was particularly impressed by all the extras that can be found in the section of the book entitled "The Reference Library" (Medications, Alternative Medications, Lab Work & Tests, Infections: The Details, Glossary, and more) and by the concise, parent-friendly information on dealing with common childhood illnesses (the kind of information parents will be oh-so-grateful to stumble across at 3:00 am!). This book would make an excellent addition to any new parent's library.
Rating:
Summary: love this book
Review: I love this book! It's a cross between the Girlfriend's Guide, What to Expect, and the American Academy of Pediatrics guides. It's well written and really fun to read. I read the entire book in a couple of nights, and then have referred to it when I have specific questions.
I found myself laughing about many of the situations described in the book because I had been through them with my own baby. I wish I had the book when my baby was first born because it would have saved me a few trips (and co-payments) to the doctor.
Rating:
Summary: Five stars from a pediatric nurse
Review: I picked up a copy of Baby 411 after one of our patients told me about it. I always try to read what our families are reading so I know what information is out there-which often leads to more phonecalls.
This is one of the funniest, most accurate sources of information on the first year of life that I have read. It also lets the reader walk in the shoes of their health care professional. The section on "why your doctor is always late" was hilarious and so true. I also found the sections on good times to book an appointment and information to have on hand when you call the afterhours line just priceless- No one ever tells you this type of stuff when you have a baby and make frequent trips and phonecalls to the pediatrician.
But that is just the beginning. The book manages to cover virtually all of the medical topics that parents encounter in the first year of life. It takes fairly difficult concepts and makes them easy to understand.
I have no doubt that families who buy this book will have fewer phonecalls and trips to the doctor's office. For instance, parents almost always call in about their newborn's acne that crops up at about 4 weeks of age. Baby 411 prepares parents for this so they don't have to worry when it occurs. It also has great pictures on their website like newborn acne, diaper rashes, roseola, etc. I always hoped a book would come with color pictures.
I also found the breastfeeding section very informative. It includes a day to day guide for the first week with a newborn with many practical tips.
I will definitely recommend this book to parents in our practice.
Rating:
Summary: Answers All The Questions
Review: I really enjoyed Baby 411. It answers all of the questions you need to ask and are afraid to ask. And it does so in a way that is intelligent, but with a sense of empathy and humor. It makes you realize that raising a child is not that intimidating. It is well organized and is a welcome addition to the number of books available on child-rearing.
Rating: 
Summary: Strongly disagree with this style of parenting!
Review: I too was angered by this book as was one other reader below. I believe it is both opinionated and one-sided. I encourage parents to read "The Baby Book" by the Sears before ascribing to the advice in this book. There are plenty of people who do not think it is healthy to let a baby learn to "cry it out". This book demonstrates a parenting style that seems to put the parents needs (i.e. a full night's sleep) ahead of baby's in many cases. The advice on sleep wasnt the only advice that angered me. For example, if you and your spouse think it's fine that Dad leaves the hospital to get a good night's sleep after the birth so he doesnt have to deal with the uncomfortable recliner in the room and you're fine letting the hospital take the new baby out of your room to sleep in the nursery so you can get more sleep, then this book is for you. I am glad my spouse would never dream of a good nights sleep over being with me and our new baby. I also learned a lot from the lactation specialists in the hospital during that first rough night of feeding and as a result my milk came in much faster and I was better equipped going home. I will ask our pediatrician, who is of the same mindset as "The Baby Book" write a review of this book as well.
Rating:
Summary: Dr. B.? More like Dr. B.S.!
Review: I was appalled to read the review of "On Becoming Babywise" in this book. He cites Ezzo's requirements for a rigid scheduling of the baby's feedings and the requirement that there be NO night feedings or any feedings before a 3 hour window has elapsed. Nothing could be further from the truth! Ezzo clearly states that the parent is to determine when the baby needs a feeding. He says to set up a schedule but that the child's needs outweigh that of the clock and that they need to be fed when they are hungry. Ezzo also clearly states that you are to feed a newborn when he asks for it and to NOT withhold food from a child in favor of a strict timeclock. There are pages devoted to this very explanation. It is reiterated constantly throughout the book. It would seem to me that Dr. B. didn't do his homework. How can you give anything that he has to say credence when he is so far off base on such an easily verifiable topic. All he had to do was read a short book and he failed at that. My grade for Dr. B:F
Rating:
Summary: Dr. B.? More like Dr. B.S.!
Review: I was appalled to read the review of "On Becoming Babywise" in this book. She cites Ezzo's requirements for a rigid scheduling of the baby's feedings and the requirement that there be NO night feedings or any feedings before a 3 hour window has elapsed. Nothing could be further from the truth! Ezzo clearly states that the parent is to determine when the baby needs a feeding. He says to set up a schedule but that the child's needs outweigh that of the clock and that they need to be fed when they are hungry. Ezzo also clearly states that you are to feed a newborn when he asks for it and to NOT withhold food from a child in favor of a strict timeclock. There are pages devoted to this very explanation. It is reiterated constantly throughout the book. It would seem to me that Dr. B. didn't do her homework. How can you give anything that she has to say credence when she is so far off base on such an easily verifiable topic. All she had to do was read a short book and she failed at that. My grade for Dr. B:F
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful ref. for new parents, grandparents, & caregivers
Review: I'm a mother of a happy, healthy, well-adjusted 14-month old. During my daughter's first year, I kept Baby 411 near me at all times for reassurance and quick reference. My baby was born prematurely, and I found that becoming more educated on basic parenting advice helped me feel more confident and competent. The format of the book makes the information easy to navigate--even when you're feeling panicked and frazzled. ("is this poop color normal?" "should I call my pediatician about a fever of 101?") I cannot recount how many times I referred to Baby 411 for sound guidance on what to expect regarding feeding and health challenges at each stage of my baby's first year. I disagree with the authors' assessment of the Baby Wise method, and I wonder if they based their review on earlier editions of the book/method which, admittedly, presented a more severe process. These opinions about Baby Wise, however, did not prevent me from purchasing the Baby 411 book for my mother and mother-in-law and giving it to close friends as shower gifts. The book is a well-written resource that deserves a place on every parent's bookshelf (along with other books that provide additional depth in specific areas--like breastfeeding and sleep training). This book is a must have!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST baby bk--cuts the clutter and gives you the facts!
Review: I'm a practical person and wanted to be a practical mother. Baby 411 has been invaluable. My husband even recommends the book to other couples--but won't let them borrow it--because it is SO USEFUL.
I appreciated that the book had clear medical scenarios about when you should go to the emergency room, call the doctor, or just observe your child.
Baby 411 has helped me out so many times; I was able to look up symptoms and compare them to my son. I liked that the book had common myths and misconceptions. Baby 411 is certainly the most no-nonsense parenting book out there. Unlike other reviewers, I feel that the author is very fair when discussing various topics. Just because you don't like the conclusion the author came to doesn't mean you throw the baby book out with the bathwater. Like any other book, use your common sense.
I feel like Baby 411 really prepares you to have good discussions with your pediatrician about the direction of your child.
The book has a great guide on how to pick a pediatrician, what all the vaccinations are and when they are given, solid breastfeeding and formula advice, discussions about discipline, common developmental milestones, making the transition to solid food (a great section!,) which sleep methods seem to work, medical situations to watch out for, hygiene, real life stories and examples, basically everything!!
Make no mistake, the book is written from the perspective of a pediatrician, which is to say, very informational and not terribly emotional, although the book is fun to read and humorous. Still, more than being written by a pediatrician, Baby 411 was written by two veteran moms. I give Baby 411 to every new mom I know and have had so much feedback about how useful they have also found it.
Baby 411 covers the first year to 18 months.
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