If you could recommend one book to a first time mum...

[bumperlicious]

Due in about 5 weeks or so and I have read a few comments on MN about people who wished they had read a little bit past all the pg and labour stuff to the bit at the back of the books that tells you what they hell you do with the baby when you get home!

In light of this was having a look at some parenting books e.g. Contended little baby, the Sears Baby book and a miriam stoppard one and was wondering which to get. Don't want to spend loads at this stage so was just wondering if you could recommend one book to a first time mum what would it be?

I do like Sears baby book a lot myself, but know it hacks some people off

I read one called "Baby Wisdom" by Deborah Jackson a while back. Thought it was great.

Best Friends Guides are good here

birth to toddlerdom by Dr Christopher Green Got the next one as ds got older - toddlerdom and beyond

Libby Purves - How Not To Be A Perfect Mother

borrow all the rest from the library and/or friends but don't shell out for them.

I liked the approach of the Baby Whispherer one - guidlelines rather than rigid routines which are just sould destroying. Don't get too fixated on the books though, they're only guidance, your instincts will kick in too (easy to say now I know - I was obsesses with reading all the books!)

(tbh the free NHS one is actually worth a look for the 'what to do when you get home' chapter)

I was just about to add that Mrs Badger

First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins helped me, my friend gave it to me as I had never even held a baby before ds was born. It covers all the basics simply, it's funny and has pictures which really helped!

Rough Guide to Babies was great for me. All the basics I needed to know.

Message withdrawn

I'd third MrsBadger and McDreamy's suggestion of 'How not to be a perfect mother' - fab book, and funny too. Great for making you more confident about what you're doing.

I second Baby Wisdom, actually anything by Deborah Jackson. When Your Baby Cries is by the same author, much shorter, but very good. Also recommend What Mothers Do by Naomi Stadlen.

Id go for Penelope Leach - by far the best one imo.

babies! by dr christopher green, might be the same as awen under new published name - he also dis toddler taming or am i confused now - any way both excellent - i thought he was a woman the advice is that sensible. also for later - one shoe, 3 socks and no hairbrush for no. 2 and subsequent ones.

Penelope Leach again. I have dipped in and out of it for all 3 of mine. She is very calm and reassuring and doesn't advise any particular of-the-moment techniques or would be solutions, just lots of sensible and reasonable advice.
It kind of confirms all your instinctive mothering urges.

Defo second the vote for Baby Whisperer (solves all your problems). Mainly cuz it helped me diagnose the reason for DS constant crying and sleeping problem - turned out to be reflux.

It's organised well so you can focus on a particular issue or get specific questions answered.

Plus it includes really useful charts to guide feeding times/amounts.

THE MUMENST BOOK FOR GODS SAKE YOU HEATHENS

OH DEAREY ME

EHRE

none- i found any books i read a bit pointless and a waste of money. i'd get any that take your fancy from a library. i learned more about parenting and my DS from just doing it, rather than reading about a baby that wasn't like mine, or parents that weren't like me!

the very hungry caterpillar

the owl and the pussy cat

firm favourites with three generations in our family!

oops...those were for the kids obv...

I would definitely recommend the contented baby book.....(unless you already have control freak tendencies).

Another vote for Penelope Leach - the only one I've consistently referred to. Her tone is so kind and child-centred and reassuring to an anxious first-time parent. I am not entirely sure why she seems to have gone out of favour - she is much, much, much better than any of the others (without wanting to single out Anyone In Particular).

Voodoomama- i agree re: Hungry Catepillar!

Gotta agree with pregnantgrrrl (riot, perchance?) Never read any with ds, was youngish thought I knew it all, when I had dd, I read one and it just frightened the hell out of me and stopped me trusting my natural instincts. The Gruffalo is a blast tho'