Anyone have(read) any of Dr. Sears pregnancy/baby/children books??

[Maggimus]

I was watching Dr. Phil today and he has on child pediatrician Dr. William (Bill) Sears, along with his wife Martha, and two boys Jim and Bob.

Has anyone read any of his books? I was considering buying some of them and didnt know if anyone found them informative??

I also found his website
www.askdrsears.com

Thanks in advance,
Maggie

 

[rparmfamily]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr Sears!!! He's the common sense pediatrician to me! I was having such a hard time with DD when she was born, and I bought his Baby Book and it was a god-send to me! It made me learn to trust my instincts about my baby and to ignore other well-meaning but often incorrect advice you get from everyone as a new parent.

He's very pro-nursing and his style of parenting is called "attachment parenting". For me, this meant that I respected and reguarded my child as his/her own person, so basically I didn't do anything to my child without thinking of how it would feel done to me. (like Cry-it-out, or making a baby eat on my schedule,etc)

Just my own experience...and before anyone thinks this type of parenting makes brats, it doesn't. It creates children full of compassion and love. Both my children are.

Check out his website-- www.askdrsears.com

HTH!

 

[Maggimus]

It certainly does... im going to look for some of his books that are used.

I hope people keep responding to this thread... its good to hear how everyone feels about it.

 

[imsayin]

I usually try to get reference books like this from the library first to see if I like them. There are so many different opinions on parenting, finances, etc. that I find it helpful (and budget-wise) to peruse the books from the library before investing in them. If there is one I find helpful and will reference it going forward, I buy it.

 

[drcmk]

It's a matter of opinion. I read his books before I had children and afterwards and his approach does not appeal to me. It has worked for me to have a more structured approach to parenting.

PS--No brats here either

 

[NY Disney fan]

Not trying to be a jerk, but can we move this to the family board instead of leaving it on the Budget board?

 

[kfeuer]

I usually try to get reference books like this from the library first to see if I like them. There are so many different opinions on parenting, finances, etc. that I find it helpful (and budget-wise) to peruse the books from the library before investing in them. If there is one I find helpful and will reference it going forward, I buy it.

I agree! Definitely check it out at the library before you buy. I think most people either really love his approach or feel like "it's not for me". I fall into the latter category (not that I disagree with him per se, his methods just aren't a good fit for my family).

 

[Maggimus]

Thank you for your help!! I think ill look in the library first. I was wondering what his book on "Pregnancy" and "the birth book" was like...

 

[bellarella]

I like some of what Dr Sears says. I am a "middle of the road" parent though and believe that each child and each family is different. Dr. Sears fault, IMHO, along with just about every "expert" who writes a book, is that he believes he knows the "right" way to parent. Attachment parenting works for some families and some children. It doesn't work for all. I can absolutely 100% guarantee that his sleep advice caused my first DD much more "trauma" than cry it out did. Following his advice I had a sleep deprived child who became more and more miserable (along with everyone else in the house) by the month. We finally broke down and did CIO. After less than 1 week of crying (which was cumulatively less than what was happening before when she was so tired) she was sleeping great and was a happy child during the hours where she was awake.

So, as with any book, take what you like and leave the rest.

My $.02 as a mommy three times over (who babywears, nursed for year, does CIO, has no problem with those that chose formula, vaccinates my children, and has 1,000 other different "contradictory" parenting methods )

 

[Maggimus]

Thats why i am interested in reading this book. He says to pick the child up rather than cry it out--- but wouldnt that just lead to dependancy issues? As a child grows would the child not realize that by crying they ultimately get their parents full attention. I havent read the book-- but am very interested on his take of things.

 

[rparmfamily]

Read it and you'll see. I don't want to turn this into a big debate. He doesn't say to spoil your child but there is a difference in needs between a 4 week old crying and a 4 yr old crying. What helped me from this book was to trust my instinct. Instinct tells me to pickup and nurture my helpless infant but to deal with my 4 yr old differently.

Also--I TOTALLY agree that different parenting skills are needed for different children/families. I am not a total AP parent--gasp--I spank mine from time to time, but I do try to be respectful of their feelings and listen to them,etc. Now, of course, there is a time when feelings/listening doesn't cut it, but most of the time it has worked for us. I love hearing DD talk to her babydolls, it lets me know I'm doing a good job LOL.

Now DS...he is the opposite...LOL...

 

[Tiger926]

I love Dr. Sears - I have most of his books. He has a bunch of kids, and being a pediatrician (as is 2 sons), he really offers great advice. I totally understand that people have their own opinions, but with babies there really is no such thing as too much love - babies need to feel attached to their parents; therefore, they should not be left to cry by themselves, nor left alone when they are wanting to be held. Attachment parenting totally works - I've seen it practised with a ton of different children - ADHD, Bipolar children, very well adjusted children.

As a parent, I want my children to know that they can trust us, and so attachment parenting is a great fit for us. Sure there are many people who believe that if you pick a baby up when he/she cries that you are 'spoiling' them and many experts (doctors, psychologists, etc.) will tell you that you can't spoil a baby and I totally agree with that. My daughter was held quite a bit, never cry it out (totally don't believe in that), never hit, breastfed for 14 months, co slept, and she is an extremely independent and well adjusted 3 year old, contrary to what many parents would think would happen with this type of parenting.

I would recommend that you check out Dr. Sears' books, but if you don't have children of your own, it may be difficult to totally relate to all that is in the books, but it will certainly prepare you for children if you are having any in the future, or for nieces/nephews or friends' kids.

Happy reading, Tiger

 

[Maggimus]

rparmfamily- This is the reason I want to read. Absolutely no debate here. I do feel there is a difference between 4 weeks and 4 years. lol... Its very intriguing ! I like what you said about your DD talking to her dolls...

Tiger- Thanks for your advice... I really appreciate that!! Does he say that co sleeping is a good thing? Or just in the room (like a bed in the room type thing?)?

 

[PaulaSue]

I have read a few of them. They (parents not the organization) recommend some of them at LLL, if I remember correctly.

I do parent much like Dr. Sears but I don't do it because I read his books, KWIM. I am a very AP Mom, although not crunchy.

 

[NemoMOm]

Sorry, but I was a little offended by the previous poster that stated it wasn't their type of parenting and they do no have any brats. Maybe I'm too sensitive

Anyway, We read the books but don't follow everything. We co-sleep (DS and I love it) I still nurse and we are very AP style of parenting.

The results are DS says "thank you,sorry, excuse me," He shares and plays well with other children. We eat out once or twice a week and travel often. When we do, people actually stop by and tell us what an amazing boy he is "so good, so well behaved, so polite."

Last night I was making dinner and he called out "mama"? I said yes he said "I love you" or actually wuv you but you get the picture.

My DS is only 23 mos and is better behaved an more loving than some of the 4 yr olds I see.

 

[ohiominnie]

If you guys are interested in common sense parenting advice, I recommend my dh's podcast. Ok, a little biased, but objectively speaking he has a HUGE following for only being out 6 months and he gets about 10 emails a day from parents who praise his podcast. He has about 7000 listeners a month at this point (so he must be doing something right!)

www.pediacast.org

You can listen straight on the site or if you have an iPod or other mp3 player you can take it on the go.

 

[mcmom]

All three of the Drs Sears are great. They are our pediatrician for my 3 kids. They have a practice in San Clemente CA. They give some great tips on getting your child to eat, behave a certain way, and they will tell you alternatives to using over the counter or prescription meds. I have one child who has CP and epilepsy and they are very good with him as well.

Lori B

 

[momx2]

Sorry, but I was a little offended by the previous poster that stated it wasn't their type of parenting and they do no have any brats. Maybe I'm too sensitive

Why would that offend you. That poster was merely responding to the previous poster that said she DID use his techniques and had no brats. I think this poster was just saying she DIDN'T use the Sears methods and she didn't have brats either.

 

[Tiger926]

Maggimus - The Sears' are big proponents of co-sleeping. They discuss co-sleeping with the co-sleeper attached to bed (they sell it on their website), as well as in parents' beds, or in parent's rooms. They really do a thorough job in their books and on website, explaining and teaching about co-sleeping. Their Attachment Parenting book has excellent info on co-sleeping arrangements like how it can be done safely, how long, etc.

mcmom - How cool! You are so lucky to have the Sears' family as your pediatricians as they have such a passion for children.

Just as an aside - I hate the word 'brat' as well. There are so many people who use this term in specific reference to those of us who attachment parent and it's very insulting, IMHO. Parenting is hard enough as is, without other adults, especially other parents using this demeaning term. This is what I think the other poster was referring to when mentioning the term 'brat.'

Happy reading, Tiger

 

[KelsiesMommy]

LOVE THEM! Dr. Bob is my kids' pediatrician, they are not only great doctors, but awesome parents int heir own right. HIGHLY reccomend them, My Baby Book is my Parnting manual!