What do you think of the Dr. Sears baby book? - Page 2

[AngelaM]

I will be the voice of dissent here and say that although I do pull out The Baby Book for the medical stuff (which I trust and appreciate), I have trouble even reading many of the other sections because I find it SO patronizing. I personally found his advice to be geared toward married, straight, stay-at-home moms. Not being any of those things myself, I often felt very put off by his discussions, even when I essentially agreed with him.

Since I went into the book already feeling very strongly about co-sleeping, breastfeeding, etc., my annoyances with his tone and assumptions did not deter me. However, if I had been on the fence about any of those things, my sense of alienation from the experience of parenthood that he described might have made me feel like AP things weren't meant for someone like me.

Anyway, that's just my $.02. I, like everyone else here, think that What To Expect is somewhat evil. I do not own, but have heard very good things (from semi-crunchy friends) about the updated versions of Dr. Spock's book. Maybe that's worth looking at?

[folkgirl]

I do think the Sears book is a good one. It gives a lot of info on AP but plenty of alternatives as well. Most other comprehensive parenting books are not going to offer that kind of balance--for example, most won't even give a nod in the direction of co-sleeping, much less doing it safely. There are tons of "non-crunchy" people who co-sleep, whether they planned to or not, and could use the info!

[JudiAU]

The Sears book is great. I would call it more crunchy than mainstream but I don't think it would raise eyebrows. It is a terrific resource and then one that I buy *everyone* I know who is pregnant for the first time. I got my copy the same way and I think it was really influential in how I parent.

[kdtmom2be]

I put the Sears book back on the shelf after I picked it up, turned to the pages about c-sections and read that the first thing I should to is figure out how to nurse side-lying so I wouldn't have to get up. Nice in theory but laying on your side after a c-section is EXCRUCIATING!!!! I couldn't read any more after that, since it was obvious to me that not everything in the book was written by people who had had children or researched the topics.

[Sk8ermaiden]

Originally Posted by kdtmom2be

I put the Sears book back on the shelf after I picked it up, turned to the pages about c-sections and read that the first thing I should to is figure out how to nurse side-lying so I wouldn't have to get up. Nice in theory but laying on your side after a c-section is EXCRUCIATING!!!! I couldn't read any more after that, since it was obvious to me that not everything in the book was written by people who had had children or researched the topics.

I find this piece of advice in every place that has any info about c/s and nursing. It's maddening!! You know it was written by someone who just thought, "Hey, no pressure on the incision!" and never actually tried to roll on their side after major surgery.

[akind1]

I had the same thoughts about everywhere and person that recommended the "football" hold b/c I had a c-section and have large breasts. This never felt comfortable or natural to me. we do the cradle hold.

as for side lying, I only began to do this around 6 wks; before that side lying was both uncomfortable for me, and difficult for him - he was too small and my breast too big for me to really help him find the nipple or line him up properly.

I haven't read the baby book; but I did have the pregnancy book, and I loved it! I had the week-by-week one also and it is awful.

the Publix stores down here send you caring for your baby and young child when you register for their baby club. it is good for medical stuff; which is the focus. I don't know that it would be great for teen moms though. I wish I knew where to get them, but when I was younger, I think the Naval Hospitals gave out these books that were full of flow charts (if the baby has a fever of this, go to next box, is she vomiting?, etc and you end up with a solution - give tylenol, or call doctor, etc) it was very easy to follow, because I did often as a kid, just for fun. I don't know if anyone publishes anything similiar anymore.

- Katrina

[Bena]

I also really love the Dr.Sears' book(s), for all the reasons already cited. Another thing to consider is that Dr. Sears website is excellent and contains almost all the info in his books!

[Asiago]

Another vote for the Sears Baby Book

[Llyra]

I like the Sears book in general, but I do think it's pretty heavily focused on a straight, married, stay-at-home-mom family situation.

But I have to chime in and say that side-lying nursing was, for us, the ONLY way to go, after both of my c-sections. I think different mothers experience this differently. For me, sitting up was what was excruciating.

[daisymommy]

The Dr. Sears Baby Book is seriously my "Baby Bible." I have worn through through 3 copies of it, and donated the last 2 to friends who questioned if it was okay to sleep with their babies, and if they were spoiling their babies by holding them too much. Now they too are AP parents.

I hadn't even come across Mothering mag. before that book, and after reading it, it so deeply touched me, I decided right then and there in my second trimester that -that was how I wanted to raise my children. I had never heard of AP or cosleeping before; it just sounded "right" in my heart.

But the book is so much more than that. It's such sound advice for parents, and such great medical advice. I would HIGHLY recommend it!

[ShadowMoon]

I enjoyed The Baby Book and still pill it out from time to time. I don't expect all the info to apply to me all of the time, so the stuff that didn't apply I ignored. I think it's a good into to AP and easy to understand.

The Week by Week baby books and What to Expect series are awful, IMO.