First time parenting guides

[Blueskyrain]

Hi, I'm pregnant with my first, and want to start reading some baby books to advise on the baby stage. I want to read across the spectrum, but whilst I know of some books that are more routine based (baby whisperer, gina ford etc), I don't know anything about the other side of the spectrum.

Baby will be bottle fed from birth, and my inclination is to be fairly formulaic, as I'm a bit of a control freak, but I want to read up on other approaches too, so I can make a more informed decision and so I know other strategies when it all inevitably goes wrong.

[ODog]

Sarah ockwell smith is basically the opposite of Gina Ford if you want a different approach.

[Heirhelp]

Gina Ford is considered by most people to not be good for Mum or baby. The easy routine is good for us.

Have you thought about doing an Nct course?

[Blueskyrain]

Heir, I want to read a range, including Ford, and then I'll make up my mind. I have no issues with GF, from what I've read, and its clear that she's marmite, but I'm certainly not going to disregard her, or anyone else's methods until I've read and compared them.

I'm signed up to NCT.

I'll have a look at Sarah ockwell smith as well, thanks for the tip.

[SliceOfLime]

Penelope Leach's book "Your baby and child" is great, full of info on development etc and a bit of a middle ground in terms of routines etc.

[Heirhelp]

Remember that your baby will have its own personality and what you may like may not match what they like.

I hope your pregnancy goes well.

[LadyMarmyLard]

I recommend the unmumsy mum and things I wish I'd known. (Neither are parenting manuals but I found them more reassuring and helpful)
There's also a book called fatherhood which is for blokes but it's quite good and funny

[fruityb]

You can read every book on the planet, they don't come with instructions!! Plus they change the rules weekly. My DS is currently a complete grump at four and a half months having been a happy little one for a while.

EASY was the best advice I got. That and hoping for the best on a daily basis!!

[BertieBotts]

Three in a bed is lovely for an opposite approach to sleep, but it is centred around co-sleeping. Or anything by Elisabeth Pantley. Looks like she has a new one based specifically on newborns which might be good because her main book is better from 4 months +.

I liked How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. It's not a baby book, but interesting as an approach, and I think it did influence my baby and toddler parenting too.

[BertieBotts]

Here's an interview with EP about the new book, sounds interesting to me. I like the "map".

kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/newborn-sleep-a-discussion-with-elizabeth-pantley/

[Cocolocos]

By all means read the books but don't get too set on an idea until you meet your baby. I naively read the baby whisperer and thought it all sounded so simple, but my baby had other ideas!! I was getting myself upset as DD wasn't doing what she was "supposed to" or I wasn't a good enough mum. When I realised that babies haven't read the books, and I followed my instincts, we were all much happier.