What would be your top babycare book recommendation?

[McDreamy]

just browsing Amazon and there are loads!!! What would you recommend?

[PuppyMonkey]

None of them, they are all the work of the devil. Stick to MN.

[nickytwotimes]

None!
Just use mumsnet.
I bought a few. they were all rubbish.

[sazlocks]

I got the rough guide one - Babies ? - that was good and What to Expect in the First Year - that was really good, very comprehensive. That said I also got lost of handy tips off MN too...

[TotalChaos]

yeah I'ld just use mumsnet and/or NHS direct website. but if you must What to Expect is probably best of a bad bunch, as it cover lots and lots of questions and answers.

[sazlocks]

that'll be lots not lost !

[Astrophe]

Baby Love. Absolutely, without a doubt, the best ever. Practical, balanced, sensible and gentle, with a 'here are the safe options - choose what suits you' approach. Love it.

I am forever posting this on here -I suspect nobody ever buys it as nobody else has ever heard of it (It is Australian, originally anyway...maybe this is a UK edition?).

I have lent it to 3 different friends who have all ordered their own copies. Read the Amazon Reviews!

[Astrophe]

Christopher Green 'Babies' is quite ok too, but Baby Love is much more comprehensive. I really don't like the 'What to Expect' books personally.

[Lindenlass]

this and anything by deborah jackson

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[dingledangle]

'What to expect in the first year' .That was quite useful sometimes. Sorry to contradict others on this thread but I found this very interesting.

My view on parenting books is if you read them and make your own judgement. They are generally one persons view and follow that persons 'ethos'. Most of them might have something interesting to say but so will every mother you speak to (even on MN!)

If you have chance have a browse and read of them in Waterstones and see what approach you like

[scarletlilybug]

Another vote for "baby love" here.

You could always borrow a couple from the library and see which one appeals to you.

I think the Baby Whisperer was good for advice about sleep and crying - but very dodgy advice about breastfeeding, IMO.

[McDreamy]

Thank you ladies, I have made a couple of reservations at my local library (What to expect and a Deborah Jackson title) and I have bought the Baby Love book from Amazon! I have a 6 week old and my 3 sil's are pregnant so they will get ALOT of use! Thank you once again

[midnightexpress]

I ilked Birth and Beyond - particularly good if you are still PG, as quite a lot of it deals with pregnancy and childbirth. The Sears ones such as The Baby Book are quite good if you are an attachment parenting type.

Not sure about the What to Expect ones - I found them quite helpful (for example in identifying illnesses) - I think the key with all of them is to take from it what is helpful and disreagrd teh rest, or to compare between a couple of books and see if there is any consensus on whatever it is.

[McDreamy]

I have the Baby Whisperer and of course GF but not real fans of either although i know they work for some

[charitygirl]

Your Baby & Child by Penelope Leach is good I think, as it covers everything and its only 'agenda' is trying to show you how your baby sees things. I think its quite MN-esque!

[OrmIrian]

Great Ormond Street Book of Babycare (I think). Matter of fact stuff about what to do re temperatures, vomiting, medecine etc. I didn't want to know anyone else's opinions about bfing, co-sleeping, discipline etc. GOSH book was just useful for practical purposes.

[doggiesayswoof]

I liked Birth and Beyond too. Lovely book.

'What to Expect' I found useful for reference, I agree it's good for recognising symptoms of things. It's a bit fascist about nutrition and not good on breastfeeding though.

[ohdearwhatamess]

I bought lots of baby books. The only one I found useful and helpful was this one. It is very brief but it really was a godsend (I was clueless about babies).

Hated 'What to expect...' with a passion. So thick and yet says so little, and could easily make a new mother neurotic and more than a little confused. Contradicts itself on a number of points (that seem so crucial when you're struggling in the middle of the night with a screaming baby). I threw mine away.

Christopher Green one is OK too, imo.

[Amiable]

Kid wrangling by Kaz Cooke. It is huge, and covers pretty much everything up to age 5. It is written very much in a mumsnet style - ie, offers several differnt options and gives you the chance to choose what suits you. It is written with lots of humour too, which is great!

And of course the Mumsnet toddler book (got some great stuff which can also be applicable for littlies).

[doggiesayswoof]

I also really like The No-Cry Sleep Solution although it's not a comprehensive babycare book.

[Flamesparrow]

I used Babywhisperer with DD - it was ok, but DD wasn't really any of the "types" of babies listed (which makes sense now knowing she has many AS traits).

[theDreadPiratePerArdua]

I'd agree with the poster who said don't read one, read loads and make your own mind up.

My personal recommendation would be Babywatching, by Desmond Morris. Not a babycare manual, but fascinating stuff, with a few bits of info that come in handy - eg he talks at one point about how sleep cycles mature over time, which can be useful reference when you're trying to work out if it's safe to go in an retrieve a blanket for washing or similar.

And Libby Purves 'How not to be a good mother', just because it's funny.

[lalalonglegs]

They're like dieting books - they play on your insecurities and don't really work. Unless you have some seriously strange ideas about raising your child, you won't need one - you'll work out what suits you and your baby best anyway and do that without feeling guilty/unsuccessful because you're not clinging to some mad (and often childless) idealogue's commands.

Having said that, Naomi Stadlen's What Mothers Do... is very good but it doesn't really give advice, it just makes sense of what you are already doing or think you should be doing if you weren't tied into Gina/Baby Whisperer/Supernanny or whoever else is beating you over the head with a big book.

[PinkBubblesGoApe]

I liked Dr. William and Martha Sears' The Baby Book a lot - very attachment parenting style, though, so only for those who like that. Co-Sleeping, how to wear slings etc... Great section on development milestones.

And my fave sleep book (which actually works - without stress!!!) is Sleep - the easy way to peaceful nights, by Beatrice Hollyer and Lucy Smith.