Advice on baby books

pookienoodle

vote number 3 for what to expect the first year.
i loved this book we called it "the bible"
it doesn't preach instead it just reasures you that everthing is ticking along as it should.
we found the cheapest seller to be asda.
why not pop in and have aflick through it.
as other people have pointed out you don't need a book but its nice to have one when you are panicing over something minor at 3 o clock in the morning.

finc

Why not get a few out of the library and see which style you like the most. That way you don't waste any money on a book that you just don't get on with.
P.S I'm another anti GF girl for many reasons including her attempts to sabotage a very useful website for parents.

Edit, woo I've just noticed I've got 1000 posts.

sooz

finc wrote: »

Why not get a few out of the library and see which style you like the most. That way you don't waste any money on a book that you just don't get on with.
P.S I'm another anti GF girl for many reasons including her attempts to sabotage a very useful website for parents.

Edit, woo I've just noticed I've got 1000 posts.

She's evil. Mum & baby must be up and dressed by 7am :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: . What is 7am? I have never ever been up at this time.

Krystaltips

Don't bother with books for the first month, just put the fridge and the microwave next to the bed so you don't have to go far...

I wouldn't trust a book written by someone who hasn't had a baby... I did have a little help from a vintage Miriam Stoppard book I found for a quid in the local charity shop but that was mainly for guidlines... I'm more of a laid back lets see what happens person so no book on routines or things that should be happening now have ever appealed to me...

starbump

I'm a Dr Sears - "attachment parenting" - fan. He's an American paediatrician and father of eight. For the MSE in you, virtually all the same information is on his website too: http://www.askdrsears.com/. So, you could just buy your favourite book and use the website to look up the non-everyday stuff. I have The Attachment Parenting Book and I also found The Birth Book very useful.

I find nearly everything is applicable; the only major differences are drug names. (The most important to you would be Acetaminophen/Tylenol - this means Paracetamol e.g. Calpol.)

tsstss7

sooz wrote: »

She's evil. Mum & baby must be up and dressed by 7am :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: . What is 7am? I have never ever been up at this time.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

BusyLizzie_3

I'd vote for What to Expect in the First Year too - but check out the parenting books in your local library/charity shop/car boot/NCT sale too. There are lots of second-hand parenting books floating around in my experience! But honestly, I would go with the flow and take any advice you think you might need from a parent you trust - your Mum, sister, midwife, neighbour or whatever. In your hormonal, post-birth state, some baby books can tip you over the edge with worry about not reaching milestones, not feeding or sleeping enough/too much etc. The online baby forums can also be useful for general advice and support.

Good luck with everything!

ab7167

another vote here for "what to expect - the first year"

We were also given the "Dummies" guide to parenting, which is fantastic. Is also the only one that OH read more than a few pages of, the style is quite matter of fact and unpatronising.

But I would also agree that anything you read before the birth will go straight out of your head, and you will also find that it comes a lot more naturally than you might think. My DD is now 14 weeks old, and we are just bumbling along quite happily. I had no maternal feelings at all, right up until about 2 seconds after she was born - and still don't really like other peoples children. But I have found it so easy with DD, just be guided by your baby really. I have tried to establish routines, but she is not a great one for this - hence I am now top notch at breastfeeding and changing in weird places! She likes the bonnet of the car for changing, it's usually nice and warm.

Health visitors are great if you get a good one, mine is fantastic, but they are not all as good. Don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask questions. And ask again, if you don't understand the reply

foreversomeday

I've been finding "The Rough Guide to Pregnancy & Birth" really useful, so I'm thinking of getting "The rough guide to babies" when this one pops out, but really, I don't imagine I'll have time to be reading books! Best to take advantage of all those people who say "Anything I can do to help??" and phone them up in a panic at the time!

If you plan on breastfeeding it's worth reading up on that before the baby is born though as I've heard it can be tricky to begin with.

Antenatal classes usually give you babycare tips too - they get you to change a nappy and bath a doll! Apparently you feel silly at the time but it's really helpful.

Best tip I have heard is get your OH to help you take turns when baby is crying and won't stop - you have a cuddle for 15 mins, pace the halls, go for a drive/walk etc, then hand baby to your partner and have him "on duty" for the next 15 mins. Then you get a break and you don't feel like one of you is "better" at settling the baby and so end up doing it all the time.

HTH.

benood

I've just asked the O/H which she'd recommend and the answer was: "NONE, they're all patronising and stupid and seem to be written by people who don't have children."

I'm looking forward to helping spend the royalties on hers! Will check back when it's written to give you details.:D However, with 4 children it may be some time.