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andrejt's review against another edition
4.0
As a new parent, I casually refer to this book as "The Bible" due to its comprehensive scope and categorical commandments. It focuses on practical aspects (e.g., health, feeding, sleeping, clothing) more than on the child's development. Some information is outdated (e.g., the recommendation to take rectal temperature) and the book doesn't always respect the real-life diversity of experiences (e.g., there's apparently no nipple pain as a new mother starts breastfeeding unless there's a bad latch... really?). It's also very hard to say which recommendations are based on sound science vs. common practice. But, overall, it's a very useful reference book during the child's first year.
chelse34's review against another edition
4.0
I read this WHOLE book! (even the adoption and other sections that didn't apply to me, though I'm still making some of the recipes in the back to try them out). I really liked it because it gave me ideas I hadn't thought about (like ways to stimulate my baby at different ages or when to move from a crib to a bed). But it also provided helpful information I was curious about (like how to help him sleep through the night, weening tips, and when he should be able to perform certain skills). It's very brief and not specific with tips, so find other resources for more detailed information if you need it. But it definitely provides a good overall view for the first year!
bridgeywill's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly thank god for this book. I was so focused on giving birth that I didn't read a SINGLE baby book before my daughter was born. I guess I just assumed I would know what to do, or family would show me, or ... something? BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING. I bought a few different books once I was able to come up for air - you can see I started this in March when she was 3 months old lol. I really felt like this one did the best at giving you an idea of what to expect, a resource for finding answers to questions, and didn't shove any single parenting style down your throat. I can see that it's the baby bible for a reason!
rdmeeker's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read the whole book; Nila's only 13 months, but I like this series of books.
My mom makes fun of me for reading these books. She's all "pish posh. We didn't have these books when you were born and you turned out just fine."
Well, yes. But, I like reading about common problems, stages and development milestones. It's great to have a reference for things that are going on with my daughter.
I also enjoy reading advice on things that aren't going on with my daughter. It's an interesting collection of knowledge about things to which I've not given much thought before Nila.
My mom makes fun of me for reading these books. She's all "pish posh. We didn't have these books when you were born and you turned out just fine."
Well, yes. But, I like reading about common problems, stages and development milestones. It's great to have a reference for things that are going on with my daughter.
I also enjoy reading advice on things that aren't going on with my daughter. It's an interesting collection of knowledge about things to which I've not given much thought before Nila.
socialworkstef's review against another edition
4.0
This book is helpful and it is relatively easy to find what you are looking for quickly-a plus when you have a newborn.
erikars's review against another edition
2.0
Stylistically, I would have given this book 1 star, but I did learn some useful information, so that ups it to two.
I had two problems with this book. The smaller is that this book is well organized but badly structured. Everything is clearly labeled. Sections are concise. But the overall structure of the book is kind of random. Each monthly chapter has some special topics that it goes in depth on, but those topics could have really gone anywhere in a 4 month time period. Thus, their actual placement in the book becomes rather arbitrary.
The larger thing I dislike is that the book really focuses on risks and avoiding them. The advice is fairly sound, but if you took it all to heart, you would be constantly obsessing about how the world is going to hurt your child. As parents, it's important for us to understand what risks are worth protecting against actively, which are worth more passive protection, and which are not worth worrying about.
Overall, I do not quite regret reading this book, but I'm glad that I skimmed much of it.
I had two problems with this book. The smaller is that this book is well organized but badly structured. Everything is clearly labeled. Sections are concise. But the overall structure of the book is kind of random. Each monthly chapter has some special topics that it goes in depth on, but those topics could have really gone anywhere in a 4 month time period. Thus, their actual placement in the book becomes rather arbitrary.
The larger thing I dislike is that the book really focuses on risks and avoiding them. The advice is fairly sound, but if you took it all to heart, you would be constantly obsessing about how the world is going to hurt your child. As parents, it's important for us to understand what risks are worth protecting against actively, which are worth more passive protection, and which are not worth worrying about.
Overall, I do not quite regret reading this book, but I'm glad that I skimmed much of it.
crysrowe's review against another edition
2.0
Much like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," I found this book to focus way too much on what could go wrong in the first year. I read a few chapters before promptly posting it on my Paperbackswap list to give away. No thanks Heidi Murkoff.
shensley9's review against another edition
4.0
really helped with expecting things and what to worry or not worry about