Rating: 
Summary: An eye-opening book and a true learning experience
Review: I highly recommend "Our Babies, Ourselves" to any parent interested in an anthropologically and biologically-oriented approach to parenthood, especially motherhood. It provides numerous data on how biology affects the parent-baby relationship as well as the baby's behavior and objectively presents how various cultures (including the United States') worldwide accommodate and/or neglect these biological factors and the impact that accommodation or neglect has on the parent/baby relationship.I got this book when my baby was 3 months old and for me it confirmed every instinct I had as a first-time mother who knew nothing of raising a child prior to having one. I carry my baby in a pouch any time I can; I breastfeed; I'd let the baby sleep in my bed if I could (my husband and I have a waterbed and it's not safe for babies), etc. All of these behaviors are highly, highly beneficial to babies for specific biological reasons. This is not a "how to" book, nor does it promote any particular approach to child rearing. It is objective and actually rather academic in nature, yet intriguing and easy-to-understand. Read the book! It's worth it!
Rating:
Summary: Follow your instincts
Review: It is amazing how much culture and tradition drive our parenting decisions. This book raises a lot of good questions about what is really good for babies. If you are going to read the What to Expect series, take it with a grain of salt and this book...
Rating:
Summary: A must-read for any new parent
Review: I frequently buy this gift for new moms! I read it and it made me completely rethink my parenting ideas. More than anything, this book will cause you to question all of the "wisdom" we have here in the West around what babies need and what is right for them.
The author takes a look at how babies were probably raised back when we were all cavemen, essentially - how long did moms breastfeed? Where did babies sleep? etc. - and which of these things might make a difference to babies today?
The U.S. has one of the highest infant mortality rates of any industrialized nation [...]. If we understood babies and what they need better, maybe we could change that for the better.
Rating:
Summary: Follow your instincts
Review: It is amazing how much culture and tradition drive our parenting decisions. This book raises a lot of good questions about what is really good for babies. If you are going to read the What to Expect series, take it with a grain of salt and this book...
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting idea, but Wildly Facist and Unobjective
Review: I love this book. My best friend gave it to me when I became pregnant, and I am now only reading it (my baby is now 13 months). Against family and most friend's advise, we co-slept with our daughter for the first year, and only stopped because we weren't getting any of our own sleep (waking three times a night for feeding, plus accomodating our 25 pound daughter in our bed). This book confirms what my heart has been telling me all along, all with sound research. I am not spoiling my baby, only giving her the things she tells me she needs. Just because all my neighbors are raising their babies one way, does not mean we all have to do it the same. And reading how other cultures are raising their babies really is eye opening. If you need a refreshing, open-minded reference on baby-rearing, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: A lot of wonderful information! A lot of support for co-sleeping, holding baby, and breast feeding. all Natural child rearing; all very loveing and "best for baby". A lot of good solid science for what we all "feel" is best for our babies. Very reassureing of the maternal feeling we all share. Reading is a bit tough in places; but well worth it.
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