recommend a good baby book?

[MeconiumHappens]

hi :)
am after a book recommendation, looking for something that gives me an idea of what to expect as baby grows ie milestones, feeding/sleep patterns, development, interaction etc
I know theres so many dff approaches so if it helps we're breastfeeding, sling wearing, we are NOT gina ford types, but also will not be prechewing his food or making our own organic crisps.
Any one got anything they love?

Here's an idea. Assuming you've got them between you, ask your parents for some old photo albums from when you were a baby. Talk to them about when you walked and talked, what you liked to eat, when you got your first tooth etc. I think part of the fun of being a parent is connecting back with your family history, getting the other generations involved, and taking the best parts forward with your own children. Books are written by other people from other families... very impersonal

nah, just keep an eye on MN!

I got a book, what to expect baby's first year, but it's notthat helpful - especially as we're going down the baby-led weaning route, and it just goes on about spoon-feeding.

You're best to stick to reading the NHS guide and then asking on MN if you're not sure.

(the Bounty mag also has a basic outline of what to expect)

This is a lovely idea. Unfortunately our families all think breastfeeding, cosleeping, holding baby and thus spoiling it are all madness, so not sure how useful his will be to me

Why Love Matters is a good one. MN is also brilliant, but most of all follow your instincts. I also liked the Elizabeth Pantley books, and Your Baby Month by Month (until I got to the final chapter where she said it's ok to do CC or CIO, I don't remember which one, and that some babies are sick, but it's fine, just have the wipes ready, change the bed sheets and leave them to it - it's made me very angry and sad).

If your families are as you describe, ignore them. Cuddle your baby as much as you like, BF for as long as you can and want to, and go with what feels right for you. I''m definintely not a GF type, but I like having a (flexible) routine.

oh! yes the birth to 5 guide- i didnt get one of those!! that would prob cover the basics that i want to know without to much agenda, must harass health visitor fo one

Penelope Leach has a good balanced view for treading a sensible line between the gina ford view and the knit-your-own-placenta-warmer view.

you can knit your own placenta warmer? if only id known before sigh
thanks, will check it out

Penelope Leach - Your Baby and Child
Dr William Sears and Martha Sears - The Baby Book

Are the ones I have returned to over and over. Compassionate, sensible, supportive.

oh yes, my mum FFed us all, so she thinks that by BFing beyond 6 months (or at all in fact) means that DD'll be BFing when she a teenager!
and because we're co-sleeping, it means that she'll never be able to sleep on her own, in her own bed, or without BFing to sleep!

and God knows what her comment about putting her in her pram was this morning (thankfully she immediately changed the subject!)

I was told that it's all available on the NHS website: i'll find you the link...

[[http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/birthtofive.aspx here youare]

i wasn't given one because the MW was waiting for new copies.

[http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/birthtofive.aspx or here]]

ffs!!

www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/birthtofive.aspx

How about the MN baby book?

ooh, I've got that

(MNHQ sentme copy to force the baby out... it didn't work )

it's really good, calms you down, but doesn't really do "timelines"

Your Baby Week By Week (sorry cant remember author) was a lifesaver for me. I've given it to everyone who's had a baby since. It's thankfully devoid of the author's ego-bound theories, unlike even the good parenting style books, and just focusses on what your baby can do as he/she develops for the first 6 months, and therefore what your options are. It saved my sanity!

We had 'What to Expect: the first year' for checking on milestones etc. It was pretty good and DH an I both found it useful to look in each month and see what sort of develpments we should watch out for.

On a 'parenting style' note I would very much recommend 'Brain Rules for Babies' by John Medina. Quite American in tone but the content makes up for that!