Suggestions for newborn parenting books?

Owl38 · September 2011

Hello,

I am on the Pregnant after 35 board, and preparing for my first. It seems that some of the wisest advice I've heard is that I need to read and prepare for parenting more than I need to read about being pregnant. Anyone have any good book recommendations? Your newborn parenting tips are also welcome! Thank you.

Pesky · September 2011

Heading Home with your Newborn: from birth to reality -- looked interesting and wish it was around when I was ready to head home with my first. Might help.

Happiest Baby on the Block

The Baby Whisperer

All of those are pretty decent and odds are you can find them at your library.

Strunella · September 2011

Baby 411 is a MUST. This is the baby bible and I refer to it ALL the time.

The Nursing Mother's Companion is also good if you are planning on BFing.

I also have Heading Home with Your Newborn.

robynlesley · September 2011

I liked the "Week by Week" book and wish I had bought the What to Expect the First Year (I have What to Expect the Toddler Years). I didn't buy too many books, actually. My SIL gave me the Dr. Sear's book.

I also liked "The No Cry Sleep Solution."

KerryHS · September 2011

Hi - First congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you are feeling well. My best advice would be to read a bunch of different ones. You can get most of them in the library. I don't think there is a perfect book out there and each mother is going to suggest the one that resonates the best with her. There are strong opinions on whether or not a baby should cry it out and, if so, at what age, when you should start solids can also be a hot topic. All the books give a different opinion - it can make you crazy. Read bits of a bunch of them and you will soon find the one that connects with you. For example, The Sleep Lady book personally sounded nuts to me - but other moms swear by it. Read enough of each to get a sense of which ones fit your personality. I found value in The Baby Whisperer, Healthy Sleeping Habits, Happy Child, Happiest Baby on the Block, and with my first child I also liked reading Penelope Leach - I can't remember the name of her book.

I used bits and pieces of all of these books, but I didn't treat any of them as a bible. Having the information is very helpful when you arne't sure what to do :-)

Good luck!

superaunt · September 2011

BABY 411 (i actually give this as a shower gift now)

benoitfan · September 2011

Not everyone agrees with the technique, but I swear by:

Becoming Babywise: Giving the Gift of Nightime Sleep.

stever · September 2011

I read The Baby Whisperer and WTETFY while I was pregnant and forgot most of what they had to say by the time we brought DS home.

Piranha54 · September 2011

Happiest Baby, Healthy sleep habits happy Child, the mayo baby book - can't remember the title, baby 411. I would suggest getting a slew from the library and looking at them and deciding what you like. For instance, while I liked the monthly approach to What to Expect, I really disliked what they said (I found it very condescending and judgemental) and the index is horrible! Also, when I was pregnant, I never would have thought I'd be a CIO mama, but we tried several other sleep techniques and this is what worked for us - so I'm glad I got the books from the library and don't have them collecting dust at home. Have fun!

Owl38 · September 2011

Thanks everyone! That was very helpful. So many books out there, I needed a place to start.

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