Baby book for dullards

[fleacircus]

PFB is due end of December. I know that I need to put food in one end and keep both ends clean. Other than that I am a complete moron. Obviously I can keep pestering you lot for information but if I was going to buy one user manual, which one would you recommend? (Truby King? )

If you are getting just one book and need a babycare manual, Miriam Stoppard is good and pretty objective/anodyne in terms of stance on crying/co-sleeping etc.

Other than that, wherever you go, tbh, you're going to get subjectivity. I liked Penelope Leach but that's because she told me broadly what I wanted to hear.

I loved my Dr Spock... Don't think there was much in there to worry me and I found it completely supportive of me using my natural instincts without preaching at me.

Penelope Leach. She doesn't preach that theres one right way to do it ... probably a good rule of thumb is, don't buy any baby book which says that there IS one way which works for every baby. Your Model May Vary, as they say in the US!

The Sears' 'Baby Book - Everything you need to know about your baby from birth to age two' is very comprehensive and the best book I've read so far. However, as my PFB isn't due for another couple of weeks I can't say really say how well it works in practice. The library is really good for a range of baby books.

I thought First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins here was really good.
Very down-to-earth, lots of sensible advice about all sorts of basic stuff. Basically how to muddle through the early days/months...

I rather like "Babies!" by Dr. Christopher Green (author of "Toddler Taming").
It has lots of basic info about health, development etc. Green has a relaxed, "trust your own judgment" kind of tone. Instead of espousing any of the prevailing schools of thought, on most issues he presents a range of options and suggestd you choose the one which suits you and your baby.

I got tons of baby care manuals from the library, but this was the one I then went out and bought. Would definitely recommend borrowing a few to see what suits.

Yes, Penelope Leach is very reassuring... IIRC the only thing she definitely said was wrong was for a toddler to be clean by bathtime unless you'd been swimming. Not that bathtimes are essential if they hate it.

Loads of suggestions - thanks everyone . The Penelope Leach sounds good; I think I need reassurance more than anything else!

i really liked the tracey hogg one.

didnt follow it to rule, but sort of cherry picked what i liked.

congrats n the pg and god luck for the birth!