book recommendations - thanks!

[Peace+Hope]

expecting my first child, and craving MDC-style recommendations of a good reference book (or books) for early years, to have around for after the baby gets here.

i'm a practical person, looking for something that would help me learn about general development, and would be a go-to for a wide spectrum of concerns/symptoms.

of course something up-to-date, and if you have time to include how it's been helpful, it would help me decide.

thank you so much!

[kismetbaby]

The Baby Book, by Dr. Sears! (the revised and updated version)

This book was especially helpful for me in reassuring me that my infant was "normal" and for supporting my decision to co-sleep, baby-wear, and BF. The chapters on "night time parenting" and "the high needs baby" were lifesavers! Also great discussion of attachment parenting.

I really haven't used many other books. .. after gorging on preg and labor books, I have kept it simple for baby books I have heard some good things about The Happiest Baby on the Block, but haven't read it yet myself.

[red and lulu]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby

The Baby Book, by Dr. Sears! (the revised and updated version)

This book was especially helpful for me in reassuring me that my infant was "normal" and for supporting my decision to co-sleep, baby-wear, and BF. The chapters on "night time parenting" and "the high needs baby" were lifesavers! Also great discussion of attachment parenting.

also, the womanly art of breastfeeding, which is a la leche league publication was a great bf reference.

[Icehockey18]

I third The Baby Book by Dr Sears! Love it

[ThankfulMama]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby

The Baby Book, by Dr. Sears! (the revised and updated version)

ETA- yes, the Happiest Baby on the Block is another good one--or just rent the video so you can see the techniques in action.

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by CJsMama

also, the womanly art of breastfeeding, which is a la leche league publication was a great bf reference.

YES! I've referenced this far more times than any of the baby books we have on hand. It's a good one!

[4myfinn]

I second what's already been recommended but also want to add The Baby Bond. I think the author is Linda Palmer. I'm reading it now and can't put it down!

[MommyToElla]

Baby Book by Dr. Sears is def. one of the best. It's something I purchase for any new mommy!!

[Beauchamp]

The Baby Book by Dr. Sears is a MUST!

Your Baby and Child by Penelope Leach has been helpful to me with a first baby.

Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin

I also recently started the Discipline Book, also by Dr. Sears.

[Peace+Hope]

thank you all! there's a clear front-runner i see...

really appreciate you all

[Peace+Hope]

deleted - double post

[dislocator3972]

I just got The Wonder Weeks and it's been really interesting so far. Downside: it has journal entries from moms describing how they let their babies CIO. So I've stopped reading the journal entries and just paid attention to the developmental stuff. The author hasn't endorsed CIO (yet?) so I'm still reading. It's interesting to see how DD is interpreting the world.

[lalemma]

I just finished reading The Wonder Weeks - it came highly recommended by moms I respect, but I just didn't get it. It's all about developmental leaps (although I found it ultra-light on the science and heavy on the vague handwaving...) but it had tons and tons of weird comments from mothers (fathers were not quoted.) who were misinterpreting their kid's behavior. "My 3-month-old is manipulating me! She wakes up every two hours just to torture me!", that kind of thing. I think those comments were supposed to make you feel like "Oh, everybody goes insane sometimes! Phew!" but I kind of thought the cumulative effect (because the authors don't specifically correct the misapprehensions) was... odd.

Also, I was hoping for more tips on specifically how you help turn your child's fussy moments into developmental leaps, but it seemed like mostly they were saying: wear your baby, respond to your baby, etc. So not necessarily new information for most even mildly-AP mamas.

I really love What's Going On In There by Lise Elliott: it's all about the science of development. Very well-written, and fascinating.

I have and refer to The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. It's an okay AP-lite general resource, but there are things about it I don't like. For one, it takes a pretty heavy "Moms are magic and should stay home with their babies!" stance, so there's some stuff I just ignore.

Penelope Leach's Your Baby And Child is also okay. I think either this or the Dr. Sears book would be a fine general resource.

And I second (third?) Happiest Baby On The Block: the DVD is the easiest way to pick up what he's saying, I think.

[tracymom1]

I also like Peggy O'mara's book Natural Family Living - it is more of a lifestyle book than a baby book which you will be able to use for years to come. I find myself referencing it often.

[JMJ]

Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing by Shiela Kippley

This book shows how natural mothering can lead to a very delayed return of fertility, 99% effective when used alone in the first 6 months of your baby's life rather than feeding her/him birth control pills in your breast milk. Even if you can't do everything in the book, following a lifestyle closer to natural mothering may delay your fertility for a significant period of time, and most healthcare professionals won't tell you about it. The book doesn't cover development much, but I think it's something every new mom should know is an option.

[kgreenemama]

The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact With Your Baby Leads To Happier, Healthier Development by Sharon Heller

Not a wide-spectrum book, like Sears' books, but an incredibly empowering book if you're planning to do attachment parenting. Contrasts modern and traditional parenting. Helped me get in touch with my beautiful 'cave-mommy.'