What do you think of the Dr. Sears baby book?

[alexsam]

So, I volunteer with an organization that does "book things" and it came to my attention that there might be a need for some teen moms to have a baby care/support/reference book.

Clearly, I want it to be a gentle, loving book. BUT I also need it to be acceptable by the more "mainstream" set. It needs to be informative and readable at a fairly low literacy level. And, it has to give loving and reliable answers to new, young moms in a way that they feel comfortable reading and thinking about.

So, what do you all think of the Sears baby book? Do you like it? Why/why not? Would you recommend it to a "mainstream" friend? Anything bug you about it?

I am considering it because I can get gently used copies for fairly inexpensive places like ebay (which I can't necessarily do with less well known/used books, so if you like something else, tell me, but I may not be able to do it because of numbers).

I'm also *personally* not a huge fan of "What to expect the first year", but as I recall, there is not anything really terrible in there, right? I'm sure it may not be people's favorite here, but did you want to burn it Babywise style or just kind of said "Eh"?

[Sk8ermaiden]

IIRC, what to expect has a lot of bad advice on breastfeeding and CIO, etc.

I absolutely love The Baby Book. I am halfway between crunchy and mainstream and it really appeals to me.

[zinemama]

This is a discussion about the Sears book. I'm not such a fan of his gender role assumptions and condescending attitude, but the medical/health advice is very accessible and clear.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ighlight=sears

ETA, definitely not What To Expect. Penelope Leach's book is good.

[alexsam]

Does Peneolop Leach's book give sort of the basic medical/physiological stuff (things to do about a stuffy nose, etc.)?

[zinemama]

Oh, yes.

[Sharon, RN]

Please don't get What to Expect, or Your Baby Week by Week. I borrowed that from the library, and promptly returned it when the book recommended I use a toilet stall to nurse in public. I mean, seriously!! Ugh.

I like Dr. Sear's book. I also think it can be a little patronizing, so I'm not sure how teens would feel about it. Also, IIRC, it goes on and on about the couple parenting together, which is great, but may not be the reality for those you are trying to help. So while it isn't bad, I just don't know how relevant it may be.

You know, I think I may have Leach's book upstairs on loan from the library. I'm NAK right now, but I'll go look and get back with you!

[Grace and Granola]

I call The Baby Book my baby bible. It answered every question I ever had...including a concern about an ingrown toenail in a 6 week old! I would give it as a gift to every expecting mom if I could. Dr. Sears validated every inclination I had towards AP. And yes, it's very user friendly.

[cloudbutterfly]

Originally Posted by Sk8ermaiden

I absolutely love The Baby Book. I am halfway between crunchy and mainstream and it really appeals to me.

Same here. It's easy/enjoyable to read, gentle and reassuring, and it doesn't make me feel bad about the choices I've made that lean more toward the mainstream.

[BaBaBa]

I think the Sears book is so great because the mainstream is the target audience. Sure I have some minor issues with some of the advice but nothing I consider actually harmful.

[Sharon, RN]

Originally Posted by BaBaBa

I think the Sears book is so great because the mainstream is the target audience. Sure I have some minor issues with some of the advice but nothing I consider actually harmful.

I agree with this. I've been going through Leach's Your Baby and Child, and while it's good, I don't know if it would work for you. It has lots of great information and great pictures (lots of women of color, lot of different children, etc), but it's very text heavy. I mean, LOTS of reading. I don't even have time to read it all, and if I was a teen mom in school, too, it may too much.

I think Dr. Sears may be your best bet.

[kgreenemama]

Originally Posted by Sharon, RN

Please don't get What to Expect, or Your Baby Week by Week. I borrowed that from the library, and promptly returned it when the book recommended I use a toilet stall to nurse in public. I mean, seriously!! Ugh.

Am I the only one whose ever done this? I'm all for public BFing, but, this became a popular place for us... Let's see - in the grocery store, a book store, while getting my oil changed, a rather formal restaurant (where a host kindly brought a comfortable chair into the ladies' room)... lots of places where I just wanted quiet and privacy. Anyway, this is beside the point. What I really wanted to say is that I disliked both of those books also, but for other reasons. Too rigid. What's the one that Similac gives away at the hospital - Your Baby's First Year, I think? Hated that one, too.

[sunshynbaby]

I love the Sears book. The What to Expect book is garbage. I have it and am considering recycling it rather than donating it just to take one out of circulation.

[red and lulu]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

I love the Sears book. The What to Expect book is garbage. I have it and am considering recycling it rather than donating it just to take one out of circulation.

[jess5377]

I like the Sears book, but agree with a PP that it makes a lot of assumptions about there being a mommy and daddy present. Of course, most baby books are going to do that.

[Gimme Pineapple]

I love the Sears book. I was single for nearly my entire pregnancy and I didn't feel condemned. There are some sections for single parents.

[Beauchamp]

I love the Sears' book. Especially because of the babywearing section, which I think is presented in such a straightforward way that mainstream parents who haven't even heard of babywearing would think it's a cool idea.

I loved the Leach book for the first six months, early baby stuff. The "older baby" section, i.e. 6+ mo starts to get into the "do you really want your baby in your bed with you, I don't think so..." kind of mentality that turned me off a bit.

[*bejeweled*]

Absolutely the Dr. Sears book. It holds a special place in my heart.

[BekahMomToOliver]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

I love the Sears' book. Especially because of the babywearing section, which I think is presented in such a straightforward way that mainstream parents who haven't even heard of babywearing would think it's a cool idea.

I loved the Leach book for the first six months, early baby stuff. The "older baby" section, i.e. 6+ mo starts to get into the "do you really want your baby in your bed with you, I don't think so..." kind of mentality that turned me off a bit.

This, exactly. And I find Sears's book is much more thorough when it comes to medical issues. I think The Baby Book is probably about as close to perfect, for what you need, as you're going to get.

[LindsC]

I too really liked The Baby Book. I really wish I would have read it before I had my first child instea of after I'd had him and he was almost a year old.

[frontierpsych]

I got the baby book for a semi-mainstream friend. She said she found it helpful. I didn't read the whole thing, but I did skim through it and didn't find anything terrible. I think it'd be a good gift for someone who leans a bit toward the mainstream but isn't on the completely opposite end of the spectrum, IYKWIM.