OT: Baby/Parenting Books

[wdwchewy]

I have been reading the boards for years and post here and there.

I am expecting my first child at the end of April! I was hoping that all of you could help me out a little. I am looking for a good book on babies/parenting. There are so many to choose from and I don't want to break the bank buying them all (so budget related!)

Which ones have you read? Which ones do you like/dislike? I know I am not going to become a good parent by reading a book but I would like to read a couple to get some helpful tips/ideas. Have to admit, I am a little nervous. I have three beautiful nephews, but being an aunt is waaay different than being a parent!!!

I bought the Baby Bargains book and it has been a lifesaver! It was recommended to me and I have in turn recommended it to everyone I know who is pregnant. (work in an ER and there are 7 of us!!!)

Thank you for all your help!

By the way, we are having a little girl!!!!

Julie

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Your Baby's First Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics is a good resource to have on hand. I look things up in it like how much should baby be eating now, what is this flaky stuff on his head, how long can I leave pumped breast milk in the fridg, all kinds of questions. My pediatrician gave me a copy when we went for the "interview" before our first baby was born, but it is available for sale from Amazon and book stores. This is the only book I saved from our first baby and I am so glad I still have it now that No.2 is here.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Congrats on your upcoming arrival. Baby girls are wonderful. Be careful, you *may* go broke shopping for her!

The book I referred to most is Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Revised Edition: Birth to Age 5 (Shelov, Caring for your Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5) It's by the American Academy of Pediatrics, so it's all pretty reliable info. That's not to say I didn't disagree with a few things here and there, but overall, it's one of the best baby books out there. I did read and do own the What to Expect/Expecting and What to Expect/First Year, and honestly, I think those books are scarier than anything Stephen King ever wrote. Baby Bargains rocks.

You'll be amazed at how much your intuition kicks in. Common sense is also your allly

Also- if you don't want to go broke, but want to have many books, use half.com.

Best of luck to you! (And when you're done, can I have some baby dust? I'm on my second round of Clomid! :wink

 

[wdwchewy]

Congrats on your upcoming arrival. Baby girls are wonderful. Be careful, you *may* go broke shopping for her!

The book I referred to most is Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, Revised Edition: Birth to Age 5 (Shelov, Caring for your Baby and Young Child, Birth to Age 5) It's by the American Academy of Pediatrics, so it's all pretty reliable info. That's not to say I didn't disagree with a few things here and there, but overall, it's one of the best baby books out there. I did read and do own the What to Expect/Expecting and What to Expect/First Year, and honestly, I think those books are scarier than anything Stephen King ever wrote. Baby Bargains rocks.

You'll be amazed at how much your intuition kicks in. Common sense is also your allly

Also- if you don't want to go broke, but want to have many books, use half.com.

Best of luck to you! (And when you're done, can I have some baby dust? I'm on my second round of Clomid! :wink

Baby dust coming your way!!! I'm not far from you as I am in Montgomery County, PA. The baby dust doesn't have to travel far!!!

 

[Lstar311]

I agree with the other PPs. The Birth to Age 5 book by the American Academy of Pediatrics is pretty good. I really like the What to Expect series also. Also, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child has been a lifesaver for me, it is by Dr. Wiessbluth.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Baby dust coming your way!!! I'm not far from you as I am in Montgomery County, PA. The baby dust doesn't have to travel far!!!

Aww! Hey neighbor! Thanks for the baby dust! If you have any little girl questions... let me know! DD is only 19 months so my experience is pretty recent

 

[Shmily1]

I had the What to Expect books when I had DS18 and DD17 and loved them. Two years ago, my friend was expecting so I got her some. Now DD is expecting so I've bought my third set! I must like these!!

 

[Lisa_M]

The best book is The Baby Book by Dr. Sears It is like the baby bible, I buy it for every pregnant woman I know. It has EVERYTHING. What to do for a fever, rash, breastfeeding tips, you bring your baby home then what...Did I say it has everything?

I also have the what to expect books and I didn't like them (hardly used them really). ETA: if you want these, they're yours.

For breastfeeding, I would recommend kellymom.com and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by the LeLeche League and The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Newman and Pittman. Dr. Jack Newman has a great website with videos showing proper latch and stuff. Very helpful for after the baby has arrived.

There was another book that I read that was the most informative book ever. I can't remember the name right now, I'll have to get back to you.

Can't you tell I did a lot of reading, lol! Check out the books from the library, except The Baby Book, you will definitely need that one.

Lastly, borrow The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD from the library. It's like baby magic and I didn't have it nearly soon enough. The video is hokey, but it really works.

PM me if you ever need any more recommendations, I spent way too much time researching things.

Oh and if you want to cloth diaper, let me know, I love to talk about it! Thanks Bumbershoot!

 

[Lisa_M]

Best of luck to you! (And when you're done, can I have some baby dust? I'm on my second round of Clomid! :wink

I'll send you some baby dust, I'm trying to keep the dust outta here! I'm not too far either. Berks County. Maybe after all you ladies have your babies we could have a tri county meetup!

 

[rparmfamily]

I loved the Baby Book by Dr Sears. It made me feel better about trusting my intuition as a new mom.

Your Child -Birth thru Age 5 (AAP) is good too. (I think it's the same the others mentioned) Publix used to give it out for free when you joined their baby club.

 

[mandynee22]

Mothering Magazine is great
And you'd get a new one every 2 months

 

[bumbershoot]

Baby Bargains is good, yes.



Only get the Dr Sears baby books. If you need different books later based on your specific baby, get them, but just start with Dr Sears. He's wonderful, humane, and won't scare you to death. His wife also has a book about breastfeeding that is likely very good as well, so get that too.

 

[micheleq]

Baby Bargains and Dr. Sears' The Baby Book!

 

[TENIA66]

The best books I've ever found, I'm a reader, are:

What To Expect When Your Expecting, What to Expect the First Year, What to Expect Toddler Years

Girlfriend Guide to Pregnancy, Girlfriend's Guide to First Year of MotherhoodVicki Iovine......

The Portable Pediatrician is also great...........

Best of luck

 

[lindsmom]

Girlfriend Guide to Pregnancy, Girlfriend's Guide to First Year of MotherhoodVicki Iovine......

Best of luck

Ditto the Girlfriend's guide! Entertaining read too. You might want to check with your health insurance - my BCBS provides a book to new parents, the title changes every so often, but it was a nice, quality book.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Congratulations! A little princess to cherish!

I'm going to bump this over to the Families Board. I think that you'll find a lot of moms of young children there who will be happy to share their thoughts on great resources.

 

[RMulieri]

The Girlfriends guide series rocks.We also loved the What to expect series and The Happiest Baby on the Block, By Dr harvey Karp...really helped with the colic.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I have been reading the boards for years and post here and there.

I am expecting my first child at the end of April! I was hoping that all of you could help me out a little. I am looking for a good book on babies/parenting. There are so many to choose from and I don't want to break the bank buying them all (so budget related!)

Which ones have you read? Which ones do you like/dislike? I know I am not going to become a good parent by reading a book but I would like to read a couple to get some helpful tips/ideas. Have to admit, I am a little nervous. I have three beautiful nephews, but being an aunt is waaay different than being a parent!!!

I bought the Baby Bargains book and it has been a lifesaver! It was recommended to me and I have in turn recommended it to everyone I know who is pregnant. (work in an ER and there are 7 of us!!!)

Thank you for all your help!

By the way, we are having a little girl!!!!

Julie

What the books don't tell you...if you are having a girl PMS begins at birth. Seriously my DD has the mood swings like you wouldn't believe.

I stuck with the classic What to Expect When Your Expecting and websites from searches of different topics.

 

[sailors_wfe]

First off, congrats!!!! I'm also due the end of April (22nd is my EDD) and this will be our first.. and a girl!! I have been hunting for the same type of book as you, as DH and I don't have much experience with babies.. Just this past weekend I found the BEST book it's called "The Everything Guide to your baby's first year"... I wish I'd started reading this book at the beginning of the pregnancy, this has had sooo many helpful tips in it already, for things coming up with labor and right after. I feel so much better already with all the questions I had about the baby's first month or so.. I highly suggest checking it out... great information with humor and is simply put.
Let me know if you have any questions, or want someone to talk to... and congrats again!!!!

 

[summermac]

Are you planning on breastfeeding? Cause if so, check out the book "So That's What They're For"
Excellent book.

I loved the girlfriend's guide to pgcy so I'm sure the others are good too. Also there's a cute "Baby Owner's Manual" that you and your DH might like to look at together. Very funny.

I never really read any books about child rearing until my son turned into a nightmare upon turning 4. Fun times. The book "Just Tell Me What to Say" has been excellent so I recommend it as well.