baby/pregnancy books - did you read any?

[MySonIsMyWorld]

did you read any childcare etc books when pregnant with your 1st? I read what was happening to me when i was pregnant on the internet but not so much childcare books with ds but now im thinking would i need to read some with dc2 when i have him or her?

did you?

I remember reading a baby magazine when admitted to hospital a month before DS arrived but I'd been around babies before with friends and family and thought, if I got stuck, I'd probably just ask one of them.

DD is nearly 5 months old and we have yet to read any baby books - somehow we seem to be managing! From what I've seen a lot of mums get too hung up on "what the book says" and get a bit neurotic. Mind you, I have a lot of family support around - I suppose if I didn't I might be more inclined to read the books.

OOhh!! Just remembered. Did read one baby book. My DM had been given it when I was born back in the sixties and, because she never throws anything away, she passed it on. I tell you what... it was a tonic. Some of the suggestions were a little , some and quite a few . After an entertaining 10 minutes I put it down, wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes, & noticed that DM was looking a touch peeved ... apparently I was supposed to take it seriously.

LOL Cogito was it Dr Spock?

The only one I've had are the "What to Expect" ones, Baby then Toddler. They are practical rather than prescriptive. Latterly got "How to Talk so kids will listen" which I have found to be a good investment.

Not read any baby books. Did have a 2nd hand copy of a Miriam Stoppard pregnancy book but that was because I'd miscarried the first time and wanted to know more about what was normal and what wasn't for take 2 because I was freaking out over every spot of blood.

Never even thought to buy a baby book actually. Though DD is only 13 months - might change later on. I have no friends nearby with kids, nor any local family. Muddling along fine though. I felt they'd make me feel neurotic about milestones...

I don't think it was Spock. It looked more like an NHS thickish pamphlet. All black and white photos where 'mother' was shown wearing a flared skirt and hair permed as she smilingly dealt with the nappy bucket.

I have read lots of baby books and continue to do so. But just to pick what I like and agree with rather than follow to the letter. I always use my own judgement.
I don't have a lot of family support and in some ways this works to my advantage, because I am quite well informed about things rather than just accepting ideas from previous generations..
For instance I've noticed some people have some pretty out of date ideas say about weaning, and i feel like if they read a bit more they'd understand such concepts as 'the milk doesn't run out at 6 months etc.'
Having said all that, mumsnet is a great substitute for books. I've learnt so much from reading people's opinion's on here and deciding which ones resonate with me the most.