parenting books?

[Annie456]

Hi,
I'm 28 weeks PG with my first baby and want to start reading some parenting books - have no idea where to start so if anyone can recommend any that would be great!!

Thanks!

Penelope leach for baby play and general development. I'm a developmental psychologist and she has the learning stages right.

Baby whisperer for sleep and a bit of structure in your life without a rigid routine.

Kiwi - glad it worked for you, perhaps if I'd have started it when she was younger it may have worked, but I know/have proven that the method for sleep, for example, doesn't work for my dd, and is doesn't tell me step by step what to do if my dd refuses just to be calmed by a pat and a shush IYSWIM? And in the trouble-shooting section it doesn't go into any more detail and just contains anecdotes and example but not what we should do in our circumstances. Fab that it worked for you though!

My dd has naturally fallen into her own routine, so we stick to that and everyone seems happy! I only doubt myself when I read all these books and suddenly seems as if we are doing everything wrong and raises anxiety levels! That is why I advise trusting your instincts and taking it with a pinch of salt, and finding what works for you.

I think also these books might take the credit for what happens naturally with some babies. For instance, I tried Gina Ford with my dd when she was younger, however after persevering as much as I could, it was apparent she just was not going to conform (colic and screaming in evenings, not sleeping when she should, falling asleep when she was supposed to be awake) and we got so stressed that eventually I ditched it and just went with the flow; but a few weeks later she basically fell into a routine that very much resembled GF's schedule but it happened naturally. So with some babies they might just fall into routines easily because they obviously mirror normal rhythms, but to force a baby into it before they are ready probably won't work, neither will being too dogmatic IYSWIM?