PAIF'er needs help from moms!

Temp893722312503334 · October 2010

Can you ladies recommend any good books that will help me once LO arrives? I am clueless to all of the basics - how often do you bathe?, When to start tummy time? Hints for helping with sleep and routines etc.

I am also looking for any good books that help with breastfeeding.

Thanks!

nicolita14w · October 2010

I really liked "Heading Home with your Newborn: From Birth to Reality."

TheSkimmy · October 2010

I'm A Mom, Now What?- is a good oone- even has photographs of rashes!

ladychicago · October 2010

I have been pretty happy with What to Expect The First Year.

JGirl2005 · October 2010

I think people bathe their kid too much. Newborns skin is so delicate and the DRS (the show) says to give newborns a bath twice a week.

tummy time...your pedi should give you a handout on that and when they are newborn it is just really minutes a day that you need to do.

I was given some free books from the hospital that I gave away. I was given a breastfeeding book from work. maybe your friends have some old books...ask around too...

perry7285 · October 2010

i didn't like "what to expect during the first year"--i think its information is out of date. "the happiest baby on the block" is great.

howleyshell · October 2010

For BF'ing I highly recommend: "So That's what they're for" by Janet Tamaro

https://product.half.ebay.com/So-Thats-What-Theyre-For_W0QQprZ43996024QQtgZinfo

Straight forward talk from a real mom. Lots of good humor and plenty of "real life".

I wasn't a huge fan of the more clinically focused manuals.

GypsyEsq · October 2010

I think that planning on having time to read books after baby is ambitious! Wink If I couldn't find it on the internet I wasn't going to be able to read it. Of course this was pre-kindle app on my iPad. That said, I just got Toddler 411 and love it so I assume Baby 411 would also be good. I also really liked Happiest Baby on the Block - I think it's a great resource and really helped me anticipate and understand what a newborn's needs are physiologically in terms of being held, rocked and shushed to sleep.

I have both the LLL breastfeeding book (the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding) and the Nursing Mother's Companion. I liked the second one more. But the best reference IMO was kellymom.com and Dr. Jack Newman's website. HTH!

dundasgirl · October 2010

Dr. Jack Newman's website is great for breastfeeding info and kellymom.

I didn't like what to expect either. I got another one that was a similar idea but I can't think of the name of it:(

Dochas · October 2010

100 Things I Wish I Knew Was fantastic. About a page on each thing. Easy to read and refer back to. My DH loved it. What has helped me most with BF is a support group. It meets weekly and I might have quit without it. See if there's one anywhere near you - you will not regret it.

*Willis* · October 2010

I like Your Baby's First Year Week by Week. It talks about development, age appropriate activities, etc. I also really liked Happiest Baby on the Block, but I'd read it before the baby, if possible

For sleep, you'll probably need a different book. Or books. Again, HBOTB. I'm also reading the No-Cry Sleep Solution. I'll probably also read the Ferber book. We're following C's lead on sleeping, but I do think the theories are interesting.

I've also heard good things about Love and Logic for Early Childhood. It's next up on the list.

I think the books are great for a frame of reference, but I don't follow any one to a T. I'm just a nerd who likes to read/research .

Temp893722312503334 · October 2010

Thanks everyone! I do plan on reading these before the baby comes and then using them as reference as I go.

lrrb · October 2010

I swear I read NOTHING and I honestly am so glad I didn't. I wasn't freaked out in the least and what I needed to know came so natural. I know thats not the answer you were looking for and some people need to "feel" prepared but for me it was too much pressure to have something in my mind and then my child not meet those expectations. My doctor gave me all the basic info I needed and on top of that i just had to learn on my own! GL sweetie!

gramos1128 · October 2010

lrrb:
I swear I read NOTHING and I honestly am so glad I didn't. I wasn't freaked out in the least and what I needed to know came so natural. I know thats not the answer you were looking for and some people need to "feel" prepared but for me it was too much pressure to have something in my mind and then my child not meet those expectations. My doctor gave me all the basic info I needed and on top of that i just had to learn on my own! GL sweetie!

This! My pedi gave us all the info we needed and I was so much more laid back. I do not focus on milestones or counting tummy time or anything like that. Your basic instincts will kick in and you will know. All those other things, the pedi's really help you with. I do reference "What to Expect in the First Year" though when I have some basic questions. GL!

LucyPevensie · October 2010

I think everybody's different - I like to research things (love it actually when it comes to things I'm interested in and am a voracious reader) so for me to NOT have read anything would have been - impossible. I read EVERYTHING. And loved finding out all the new info I found out. Does it "prepare" you for the reality of caring for an infant? Nope. You gotta see it to believe it baby! Wink Holy cow the lack of sleep..

BUT .. I did find out a lot - like - did you know you should always check baby's fingers and toes and even PENIS (if baby is a boy) for one of mommy's stray hairs that can get wrapped so tightly around any of the above mentioned body parts it can cause a serious (and yet very common!) injury?! I read that in one of my newborn books and checked at every diaper change - and had more than one friend who DID find a long hair wrapped around 1) finger and 2) penis! A good thing to check for if baby is crying inconsolably!

So I say - read a whole bunch of books - take a bf'ing class for sure - educate and prepare yourself - and then get READY for the ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

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