Is there a "bible"??

[Samatamfabahaba]

Is there a book I can read that'll help me stop asking people stupid questions? I'm 19 weeks and have so much going round in my head, I'd love to read a book or two that will make me feel a bit more... confident? A bit more, knowledgeable about things like feeding and sleeping and establishing routines etc? Any suggestions would be really well received!

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

Well, babies can't read so they often don't do what books say. Some books I have found useful are:
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
Breastfeeding made simple
breastfeedingmadesimple.com
And all Sarah Ockwell Smiths books

And I don't believe there are any stupid questions. We're all learning.

[m33r]

I would say 'no'. I looked for this but it really does just come and is so dependent on your baby. I know this is not helpful advice!

BUT if like me it would you feel better, you et a free book in Scotland called 'ready steady baby' which gives you the basics.

Thereafter I loved 'the wonder weeks' which gives a section on each stage of development and suggests activities and stuff to do to stimulate your baby. X

[artyone]

'The womanly art of breastfeeding' by La Leche League is wonderful for breastfeeding information. I also love 'Sweet Sleep' for sleep advice and 'Baby Led Weaning' by Gill Rapley for weaning advice.

I have read a lot of the parenting books and those are the ones I found the most useful and the closest to my parenting instincts. Everyone will have different recommendations though. I haven't yet found a book that covers everything which I don't disagree with most of. Follow your instincts, google late at night, find your parenting 'tribe' and eventually you won't need any books you'll just know what to do.

Good luck with your new arrival.

[Whatsername17]

I loved this book when pregnant for the first time - so funny! She's written a baby and toddler one too. Much less mushy than other baby books, and more realistic!

[Gardencentregroupie]

BabyCalm by Sarah Ockwell Smith is a lovely book about infant development, I loved it for helping me know what was normal etc, but it's not a routine-led book by any stretch of the imagination.

[TinyTyrants]

In a word no. Unfortunately not, no pregnancy is textbook. There is always something new or different. There is no shame in asking questions.
I'm on baby number 3 and I'm still clueless about certain things. ;)

Once you actually have your baby there are lots of guide style books akin to the Gina Ford variety. The problem with books is that babies can't read. Some will love routine, others will effectly stick two fingers up and do what the feel like.

[KP86]

Agree with others that there's no bible, but I found 'Baby Love' by Robin Barker quite good, I think we have similar principles.

I had no idea what I was doing, but you learn pretty quickly!

[CatRash]

I bought "First-Time Parent: The honest guide to coping brilliantly and staying sane in your baby's first year" by Lucy Atkins. It covers a bit of everything from birth and although I haven't read it all the bits I have were informative and to the point!

I might check out the breast feeding book which "artyone" recommends too.

[MoonlightMojitos]

A friend has recommended me 'first time parent' although I haven't read it myself yet. It has good reviews on amazon. Following for other recommendations!

[sj257]

I had the rough guide one posted by Whatsername in my first pregnancy, it was great. Also had a big hard back dorling kindersley one

[Samatamfabahaba]

Some really helpful suggestions and advice, thanks so much! I know babies are all different and no book will EVER tell me how to be a mum, but just always looking for extra help!

[MollyWho]

I had First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins too, I found it useful to read in preparation and to dip in to after the baby was born.
I'm now expecting again and have re-read it.
We bought Wonder Weeks on recommendation from our NCT teacher but I think I wanted more practical advise and didn't read it very much.
Whilst breastfeeding I found the help on mumsnet forums pretty invaluable, there's some regular expert posters over there.

[Trulyamnearanear]

I'd look at a few in the library and see if there are any that don't make your teeth grind?

[ConvincingLiar]

First-Time Parent Is good. I was given it as a gift by two friends who'd both liked it with their children.

I also liked "Dr. Ellie Cannon
Keep Calm: The New Mum's Manual: Trust Yourself and Enjoy Your Baby" which is sensible, but not earth shattering advice about finding what works for you.

[toffeeboffin]

No.

Just come on here and you'll get all the help you need

[GreenGoblin0]

I found "your baby week by week" quite useful.

[Gooseysgirl]

Another vote for 'Your baby week by week', I found it very helpful for both babies - highly recommended!

[Gooseysgirl]

Your Baby Week by Week

[Yesitsmeagain]

I found Miriam Stoppard's books really helpful. Just good, plain, sensible advice and facts. All written by a collective of various drs, midwives etc and updated new editions released regularly.

[JC23]

Babycentre.co.uk has heaps of information

[Gardencentregroupie]

I didn't like Your Baby Week By Week. It assumes bottle feeding and early weaning (around 4 months), plus was so far from my experience with sleep it was laughable.

[GreenGoblin0]

I BF for 2 years. don't remember it assuming FF or weaning from 4 months but might be remembering wrong! (DD 4 now) the sleep thing I ignored on the whole apart from naps as DD never slept through night until around 18 months. I did find it useful for developmental stuff though.

[LuchiMangsho]

Lucy Atkins has a book called Blooming Birth or something which is written in the same sensible style. At the of DS' first year I was flipping through various books to see which had the most sensible advice and Atkins won hands down. There are no routines and no 'you must do's. But it is very practical and useful.