Advice on baby books

blue_sushi_cat

Another vote for Dr Sears website - no strict routines, just sensible advice from a dad who's been there.

What to expect was useful for general stuff on what they should be doing when

LittleTinker

Dont waste your money on stupid, patrionising books......spend the money on your new baby instead. If you feel like you really DO need some advice.....look it up online instead....its free!! :-))

caleo

lynsiloo wrote: »

Hi guys, i am looking at buying a baby book or two. I am 37 wks pregnant and have had a book which has helped me through. I am looking at getting a book with general info, as this is my first baby i feel like i hope most do!! i am woerried about getting her to sleep and eat and everything else that comes along with her. Have any of you got any advice on good books?? My fiance is really interested too so something we can both have a good read at. Many thanks:beer:

I have 3 children aged 11, 2 and 7 months. I didn't use books for any of them. I belong to other forums, and some of the mums have got really distressed because they have been following "xyz" book, and it wasn't working, which left them feeling like awful mums. last thing you need when you are feeling so exhausted!

Magazines are much more "real life" with articles written by mums. I use my Tesco vouchers to subscribe to Parctical Parenting, and Prima Baby.

There are plenty od websites/forums where you can get advice too, as well as your MW initially, and then your HV.

It is very scary arriving home with this little bundle, but you will be fine.

The book regarding what to expect sounds great, just don't get too het up on books that tell you what to do, and when to do it, because your baby will not be reading the book!

Good luck, not long to go now!!!

The Baby board on here was great when I was expecting too, so have a look there if you haven't already!!

Caleo x

floss2

caleo wrote: »

....Magazines are much more "real life" with articles written by mums. I use my Tesco vouchers to subscribe to Parctical Parenting, and Prima Baby.....

I read Practical Parenting and Mother & Baby magazines when expecting & after my DS's - shortly to become 22 & 20! I also had a Miriam Stoppard and a mum (who'd had 4 of her own, and we all survived, so she must have known something:))

Mags are easier, they are easy to wipe clean from sick/poo/food attacks, they go in your nappy bag for waiting at clinic/Dr's, they are great for entertaining babies (bright colours, photos, shiny paper) and it won't matter if they eat a bit of the cover

keelykat

Sometimes it's nice to read a book on this kind of thing though, as long as you realise everyones got different opinions and you take some things with a pinch of salt.

keely.

squashy

starbump wrote: »

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.)

Another vote for sears, much mure "back to nature" if you ask me, none of this emphasis on getting things right and wrong

nicola1982_2

I have tons of books. With todays lack of postnatal care many women don't just 'learn naturally'. We aren't all magical mums and sometimes a reference book is needed. I prefer how to books rather than parenting style books. Dr Spock, Miriam Stoppard and Annabel Karmel all have brilliant books with advice on b/feeding, changing, weaning etc. It's all well and good telling someone not to bother with anything, but if like me you are kicked out of hospital less than 24 hours after birth you won't know how to feed, change and care for a baby. I have Dr Stoppard to thank for my baby still being here as it was thanks to the health section of her book I spotted the signs of low oxygen and dehydration and ran him straight into A&E.

Dormouse

I've found the What to Expect book quite useful, in fact I still refer to it occasionally with my second baby. There are a few Americanisms in it, but just ignore them.

The Baby Whisperer has a good idea behind it (reading your baby's clues/ listening to baby) but it is written in an annoying way and has some strange bits in it. Worth a read though.

And I've found the freebie books useful - the likes of the Bounty book or the NHS one you get from the MW. Usually very straightfoward stuff but good week-to-week tips on how your baby is developing. (LOL at the "you might want to join the gym now, mum" though :rolleyes: :rotfl: )

Nicki

nicola1982 wrote: »

but if like me you are kicked out of hospital less than 24 hours after birth you won't know how to feed, change and care for a baby.

I think this might sound very daunting for any first time mums out there.


Unless things have changed a lot since I had my two (not that long ago), however long you spend in hospital, you are visited daily by the community midwife at home until you have recovered from the birth, and they are satisfied you are OK with looking after the baby, following which you are transferred to a Health Visitor who may also visit at home, but who will certainly advise by telephone and in weekly clinic sessions. Both the midwife and the HV will be able to help with any queries about feeding, changing and caring for baby.

With my two, the protocol in my area was for the Community Midwife to visit for about 10-12 days post birth, though as I had complications with both births they visited me for the full statutory 28 days before they had to discharge me.

sooz

Nicki wrote: »

I think this might sound very daunting for any first time mums out there.


Unless things have changed a lot since I had my two (not that long ago), however long you spend in hospital, you are visited daily by the community midwife at home until you have recovered from the birth, and they are satisfied you are OK with looking after the baby, following which you are transferred to a Health Visitor who may also visit at home, but who will certainly advise by telephone and in weekly clinic sessions. Both the midwife and the HV will be able to help with any queries about feeding, changing and caring for baby.

With my two, the protocol in my area was for the Community Midwife to visit for about 10-12 days post birth, though as I had complications with both births they visited me for the full statutory 28 days before they had to discharge me.

wow...you were lucky!

I guess it depends how many births there are in your area, & how many community midwives & health visitors too.

For my second, the hospital was so busy that they forgot to send any details of any births for 3 days to the community midwives & health visitors, meaning that we saw no-one once we got home. Finally, after 2 weeks I took my new baby up to the one health visitor clinic (in a crowded hot church hall) that is still open in my area, waited 2 hours, collected my red book & never saw any of them again. :eek: