Baby books

[GreyhoundsRUs]

So, being a "researcher", DH is very concerned that without the proper resources, we're going to royally screw our kid up once he/she comes along

I'm not a huge fan of the "What to Expect" series - I read the "Before" and "While" books, and find them to be both preachy and obvious with very little helpful information and a lot of overlap between chapters. We already have the Dr. Sears "Baby Book". Does anyone have any recs as to books to get or avoid?

[MrsK]

My brother recommended this one for DrK. They both loved it. http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Pr.../dp/0743251547

It's intended to be amusing but includes a lot of helpful tips with the humor. Both my brother and DrK found it to be helpful and fun to read.

That said, don't read too much. You'll be overwhelmed with the multitude and variety of theories. If something makes sense to you, try it. If it doesn't work, stop it. Parenting is largely trial and error.

[Urowife]

Happiest Baby on the Block - it's the best! There is a DVD too, in case you would rather veg in front of the TV instead of read a book (and by "you", I'm mostly referring to our Dawkter husbands). It mostly focuses on dealing with a crying baby.

I also had one called Gentle Baby Care, by Elizabeth Pantley, which was pretty good - sort of an A-Z guide of illnesses and other baby-related things (like how to give a newborn a bath).

A friend of mine gave me Baby 411, which I referenced a lot at first, but eventually I abandoned it for other books. It didn't "jive" with my parenting style. But, it was a nice bullet point style for when you are in the post delivery haze.

I've heard the Baby Book by Dr. Sears is a good one.

[v-girl]

I just started reading Parenting With Grace. It's by a Catholic couple and talks about parenting as being spiritual. I haven't read much though since it's hard to read with a 41+lb boy climbing on your head. LOL

I really enjoyed The Girlfriend's Guide books by Vickie Iovine. Pretty funny and honest.

[scrub-jay]

I like the latest version of Penelope Leach's "Your Baby, Your Child" although we ordered it from the UK Amazon bc the U.S. update isn't out yet. Love it, very practical advice.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...penelope+leach++

[Pollyanna]

Steer clear of anything by the Ezzos.

That's all I have for now.

Yes!!!!

I love the Sears family of books but I am more along the lines of a Penelope Leach kinda gal. Not sure if they even sell her book anymore.

DH is very concerned that without the proper resources, we're going to royally screw our kid up once he/she comes along

Lol, tell your dh that that will happen no matter how many books you have. We all screw up as parents, we just do. Try to go with your gut, you guys will be awesome!!!

[Pollyanna]

I like the latest version of Penelope Leach's "Your Baby, Your Child" although we ordered it from the UK Amazon bc the U.S. update isn't out yet. Love it, very practical advice.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...penelope+leach++

Cross post with Crystal!! I am glad they are still selling her books. I used to love her show. Like you said, just really good practical advise.

[ladymoreta]

I loved Happiest Baby on the Block!!! I seriously think DS would have been colicky without it.

I read Baby Whisperer and it had some good stuff, but I think I read it too late. It had more info about newborns, and DS was older by the time I got to it. Pantley's No Cry Sleep Solution was really helpful, too.

For pregnancy, I liked the Mayo Clinic book better than What To Expect. The Girlfriend's Guide was also fun!

I'm with Cassy - Babywise just didn't fit with how I wanted to raise DS. Although we did end up mostly going with the eat-play-sleep routine after a couple months of following his cues.

[SuzySunshine]

This is the sleep book I've used with both of my kids, they are much different sleepers but I have used parts of it with both. Read it BEFORE the baby comes.

http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-.../dp/0449004023

I also like the Mayo Clinic Pregnancy book and I did you Happiest Baby on the Block as a reference and the Dr Sears.

[Thirteen]

Mayo Clinic Book of Pregnancy. So easy to reference - they also make a first year book (very cool).
What to Expect was all over the place. Couldn't follow it very well.
For birth stuff: The Birth Partner, Birthing from Within, and Get Me Out of Here (SO FASCINATING!)

I still need to read HBOTB. Right now, we have one that is angelic one minute, and conjuring down demons on us the next.

[SoonerTexan]

My mom uses this book a lot in her counseling practice:

http://www.amazon.com/Science-Parent...2289146&sr=8-1

The Science of Parenting by Margot Sunderland

I've read a little bit of it and liked it because it was all based on research studies instead of "I think X, but I don't have anything to back it up" (*cough* Ezzos *cough*)

Each section starts with a situation, like "Jane is 5 years old. Her cousin is riding in the car with her today and took her normal seat. Jane refuses to sit anywhere else and is throwing a tantrum." Then it goes into what is physiologically going on in her brain and gives suggestions to deal with what she is actually experiencing vs. plain old bad behavior.

Yeah, but in that scenario, I'm in the " I dont care WHY you're behaving badly, its unacceptable - stop it." school of parenting. I think a lot of the " need to understand Susie's every action" type stuff has led to a lot of really spoiled, over-indulged kids. there are obvious exceptions for kids with actual dx'd conditions, etc.

I follow that with the (likely) obvious tidbit that I never put much stock in the bursting genre of parenting books and have done it as a combination of the way I was raised, advice from friend's whose parenting styles (or older kids) I admire, and an occasional book for reference or baby nutrition, etc. Aside from that, I enjoy the snarkier variety ala "Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy" or the new one "Let's Panic About Babies".

[SoonerTexan]

Yeah, but in that scenario, I'm in the " I dont care WHY you're behaving badly, its unacceptable - stop it." school of parenting. I think a lot of the " need to understand Susie's every action" type stuff has led to a lot of really spoiled, over-indulged kids. there are obvious exceptions for kids with actual dx'd conditions, etc.

It doesn't necessarily tell you not to punish, etc. Just provides more insight. I don't think it is quite what you are talking about. That was really just an example I barely remember.

This was from a review on the book talking about how the author distinguishes between tantrums:

Little Nero tantrums are another story. These tantrums are about control and manipulation and rarely involve tears. There aren't stress chemicals involved. Sunderland explains, "A Little Nero tantrum is about a child trying to get what he wants--attention, a particular toy, or food--through bullying his parents into submission. . . . Children who have Little Nero tantrums need to learn that they can't always receive the gratification they want at the time they want it, and that it's not OK to bully or control people to get what they want in life" (p.128). Sunderland encourages parents to ignore these tantrums, avoid trying to reason, argue, or negotiate with the child, remain emotionally calm, and be firm in saying, "No." Above all, don't reward these inappropriate tantrums with attention.

Anyway, I don't have kids, so I'm stepping out. What I read of it almost two years ago impressed me enough that I want to read the whole thing when we have kids, which is why I'm mentioning it here.

[Vishenka69]

For pregnancy I also liked the Mayo Clinic book but haven't found anything I like for the actual raising of the kid. I do like the general non-fiction like "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" and "Sippy Cups are for Chardonay" type books, they basically tell you that everyone screws up no matter what and to stop freaking out and have a glass of wine.

[SuzySunshine]

I do like the general non-fiction like "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" and "Sippy Cups are for Chardonay" type books, they basically tell you that everyone screws up no matter what and to stop freaking out and have a glass of wine.

These are both must reads for first time moms especially - they make great reading material when you're breastfeeding.