what are the best 'baby' books?

[justtheoddquestion]

Hi, I am 7 months pregnant with first baby. I'm going on holiday next week and thought this would be a good opportunity to read some baby books. Not 'being pregnant' books but 'how to look after baby' when it arrives books. Any suggestions please? xx

[robotcartrainhat]

Ive got Mumsnet on babies book! Found it in a charity shop and its the only one out of the loads I was given that I actually read. It contains advice and differing perspectives from women posting on mumsnet.
Its quite funny too... just found it a lot more useful than any more 'dry' 'science fact' books on motherhood as theres lots of different advice to choose from rather than just 'this is what you should do'... so it was easier to relate it to mine and babies individual needs/character

You can get it from Amazon quite cheap

[robotcartrainhat]

sorry its official name is 'Babies: the mumsnet guide' x

[farine]

I had a good one on breastfeeding called the food of love. Found it so helpful and accessible. It was recommended by a fellow mumsnetter

[ChristmasFluff]

I read loads, and my favourite was Tracey Hogg - Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. She was IMO the right balance between establishing a routine and still having room for some flexibility to suit baby. Wish I'd read her before I read other boot-camp-baby books.

[geekaMaxima]

It depends what you're looking for.

Do you want a book to tell you how to get your baby into a fixed routine as early as possible? Those books do exist but - and this is the important bit - they only suit some babies. Your baby's temperament will determine whether or not they naturally fit into a routine. If your baby suits routines, those books might give you some ideas of how to work it. If your baby doesn't suit routines, there isn't a book in the world that will make it happen.

Same thing goes for any book that tells you exactly what to expect for the first x months, or that was a perfect guide for someone else's baby... chances are it won't be for yours. Babies are very different and the most important thing is to be flexible.

My advice if you really want a baby book? Get several out of the library after the baby is born then pick one that best describes what your baby is actually doing. And repeat a couple of months later when the book no longer describes what your baby is doing.