Book recommendations for a first time mom?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I am due in three weeks with my first and am wondering if the more experienced moms out there have any recommendations for books to read on the first year or so. I'm looking for more scientific information on things like SIDS, vaccine schedules and research on splitting them v. traditional schedule, breastfeeding and when to integrate other foods or formula, common sicknesses and treatments, etc.

I appreciate all advice!

[Anonymous]

As an alternative, may I recommend "Operating Instructions" by Anne Lamott? It's easy to get advice on feeding schedules. Lamott, in contrast, captures the feeling of having a new baby more effectively than any other author I've ever read.

http://www.amazon.com/Operating-Instructions-Journal-Sons-First/dp/1400079098/ref=pd_bbs_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199115309&sr=8-6

[Anonymous]

i recommend Dr. Sears "the baby book", hes a pediatrician with like 8 kids, very into integrating alternative and natural parenting with mainstream, and his book and website always saves me when i have quick questions! good luck!

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed "what to expect in the first year." great index to help when you have a question.

[Anonymous]

For the first three months, you have to get "The happiest baby on the block" by Harvey Karp. It's really helpful. You don't need to read it all in detail, once you get the main idea in the first few chapters.

For a health care resource, you can get the American Academy of Pediatrics book, it's called "Caring for your baby: birth to age 5". It's useful to look up specific questions.

For advice, you can pick up several books or borrow them from the library.

And lots of "momoirs" are fun. They helped me remember I am just human. I really enjoyed Annie Lamott's, but also Andrea Buchanan's book "Loving every (other) minute of it".

[Anonymous]

I second recommendations of Sears' "The Baby Book" and Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block." Both are invaluable references. I actually found "What to Expect in the First Year" to be a bit too traditional and rigid for me.

"The Nursing Mother's Companion" by Kathleen Huggins is full of science-based but also empathic information on breastfeeding. I found it incredibly useful.

"Operating Instructions" is priceless.

Enjoy your baby and good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

"Happiest Baby on the Block" didn't help me at all (some babies hate swaddling....some love it. It depends on your baby).

I loved Dr. Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"

[Anonymous]

i rely on good old dr spock for a lot- especially the straight up medical info- i found the sears book to guilt me out so much with my first- and i am all about attachment parenting, nursing till they wean, baby with me or my hubby-- but sears really bugs me (thats my opinion- but i felt it would have been helpful to know if others felt that way with my first).
My favorite/ most useful books have been touchpoints by brazelton, the happiest baby on the block, and the kim west sleep lady book.
I have found that I never got to read a book straight through once the babies were here. These have all been good sources to leaf through and look stuff up as needed. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I used several books as a quick reference. Some reflected attachment parenting approach and some didn't... all were helpful for different reasons.

Baby 411 (I still use it as a quick reference... covers everything from A-Z.
Dr. Sear's "Baby Book" (he also has a book about vaccines)
Happiest Baby on the Block
Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child"

These books are very helpful but at the same time each author claims to know best so take from each what works for you and the rest with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommended Baby 411.

[Anonymous]

i second what to expect the first year
i would also sign up for some web sites like www.babycenter.com which has weekly email updates about your baby (based on age) and also has articles you can search

[Anonymous]

Happiest babyon the Block for soothing during the first 3 months is a big help. There is also a video, if you prefer. His technique -which really just summarizes what many parents already do but lays it out well- works.


What to Expecet the First Year. Helpful to know -very generally- what to expect and approximately when.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. A dense read but the best summary of the biology of sleep and what to expect, approximately, when. I was frustrated when our DD didn't keep exactly to what he laid out but she eventually did and it was helpful to be able to recognize what was happening (and also, when things would likely improve sleepwise).

As with any book, though, you take from it what works for you. These worked for me.

[Anonymous]

For a fun read I liked Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy- honest too!

[Anonymous]

The American Academy of Pediatrics was very helpful. I looked at What to Expect alot, but I found their info on milestones is more rigid than it needs to be. I think alot of kids develop different skills at different times, so don't start worrying if you're not in line with their lists of what to expect each month. My son was always way ahead on some and behind on some others...and he's just fine. It's good to have a few different ones to consult.

[Anonymous]

A friend just sent me "Let the Baby Drive" which has been spot-on so far. My DD (our first) is 2.5 mos, and I couldn't believe how well she captured the feelings during those first few weeks. It might be good to read while you're actually going through the tough time so you know it's normal, everyone feels that way, and it will pass!