Books for FTMs? (answered - THANKS!)

Lady2010 · August 2014

Hi Ladies -

I am starting to think about what happens once our LO arrives. HOW do we take care of and raise him/her? We have been so focused on the getting pregnant part that now that I am in my 2nd tri I am starting to wonder - ok, now what about once he/she arrives?

Books I have seen that I would love feedback on - or any others you found useful for that matter are:

What to Expect The First Year

Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Year

Happiest Baby on the Block

The New Contented Little Baby Book

Bringing up Bebe

Any thoughts on if they are helpful/informative, etc - or any others - are greatly appreciated. Many thanks! (and yes, I realize at 16 weeks this is probably premature but I am extremely Type A - other than not wanting to know the gender of our baby!)

NeonNoon · August 2014

Hi

FTM here too. I'm almost done reading Happiest Baby on the Block. I loved it and am getting DH to read parts, but as I haven't had any children, can't comment on how useful.

I started a thread a couple of weeks ago on the Attachment Parenting board on a similar subject. I got a few responses that you might find useful:

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12403972/book-recommendation-for-ftm#latest

I'm discovering that there are many parenting styles (and opinions about them, for that matter) and that it is useful to decide what style you're going to pursue based on your priorities.

CaraH · August 2014

I didn't use any of those. Honestly, I found the first year pretty self-explanatory. It was after she developed some independence that I needed ideas! I did use Baby 411 a lot. Both to look things up and to reassure her over-protective Daddy that I knew what I was talking about!

harmonicbabe26 · August 2014

I would agree that for the first year you basically need to just know how to keep them alive. What to expect: the 1st year is a pretty goos basic book.

You don't need to worry about having a 'parenting style' till they actually start developing a personality in year 2.
If you have a library nearby I would say go get books there before investing in any of them...

Also keep in mind that you don't need to commit to any one parenting style or define yourself in any way. The way you parent will develop with your child's personality over time.

Good luck!

topaz7777 · August 2014

Happiest baby on the block, I didn't read the book, but I saw the DVD... and I have to admit it saved my sanity with DD.

Baby bargains was a great book. It didn't tell you what the best baby gear was, but it did rate it in a way that was helpful for me to decide what I wanted and gave pro/con/cost kind of information.

Lady2010 · August 2014

Thanks Ladies! I think maybe from what you are saying I am getting ahead of myself

I do have Baby Bargains - my best friend got it for me when I told her I was pregnant - and that has been a great resource in addition to CR for reviews / ratings.

I guess I am just nervous since it is our first and DH is starting to worry about how we will take care of the baby - his sister has a 24 hour baby nurse - which I have nothing against, but don't want to have. I understand the value in having someone who knows how to care for a newborn and teach you but I would rather it be us figuring it out. Just a personal preference - neither way is better.

Appreciate the advice!

BeckyP005 · August 2014

You will do great!! Even though I've been around babies alot I'm still going to be nervous. When I started to nanny a 4 week old there was a baby nurse there from day 1 until he was 6 weeks 24/7! I can't even imagine not taking care of my own baby. Don't get me wrong I would love some help but that seemed excessive lol.

Plus you have all of us to ask questions

topaz7777 · August 2014

The good thing about babies is they start out with very small needs and the needs change pretty gradually giving you time to learn them. It's surprising how quickly you fall into a routine.

Lady2010 · August 2014

Thanks @BeckyP005 & @topaz7777 - I am definitely anxious but figure if everyone else is able to learn and figure it out - we should be able to as well

topaz7777 · August 2014

Hey 16 yr olds can handle it, we sure can right??

MsMacual · August 2014

I agree that books are only helpful to a point during the first year and your parenting style/philosophy will drive which ones you want to read as your child gets older and you have more specific things that you are looking for.

I would add Super Baby Food to your list. You won't really need it until your child is closer to 6 mo as the APA recommendation is to hold off on solids until 6ish months. It is like the feeding bible and was really helpful as we started solids. I will be reading (or at least skimming) Baby Led Weaning as I'm pretty sure we'll go this route this time around. It's a feeding method that uses solid food vs purees.

Books for FTMs? (answered - THANKS!)

Re: Books for FTMs? (answered - THANKS!)

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