Book recommendations for first timers

[TheBeesKnee]

Can anyone recommend any baby/parenting books for first time parents? Realistically I will read it but it would be good to share some highlights with DP.

There are so many on the market that it feels a bit overwhelming!

I'd ideally like a day by day or week by week of what to expect in one place. I have a lot of piecemeal, out of context information e.g. 4 month sleep regression, 2nd day cluster feeding and babies dropping weight after birth (but I don't know why or what the normal time scale is for it to return?)

I am only 13 weeks along but it would be great to swot up while I have the time and be better prepared for what to expect :) we're not quite yet buying baby things so this feels like it could be a good use of time.

The Baby Book by Dr Sears is very good.

Not quite a month by month but Baby Calming by Caroline Deacon is worth a read too. I read it before having DC2 and really wished I'd read it before DC1.

Essentially though, whichever book you choose, ideally you should be looking for one that's evidence based rather than one usually childless Baby Guru's opinion.

This was always my favourite

Oh and if you're thinking of BFing, Kellymom have a useful list of bois to avoid here

My favourite was "French Children Don't Throw Food" but it's worth bearing in mind that whatever book you read, your baby won't have read it and will disregarded everything it says.

The book you wish your parents had read and your kids will be glad you did

www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Wish-Your-Parents-Children/dp/0241250994

@ Mollicious

Unfortunately you won't know how true that is until baby arrives

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend any of the week by week ones for when they are tiny babies. Invariably your baby won't do what the book says they should be doing and you'll stress even more. Just go with the flow, feed on demand, and keep an eye on wet/

Accidentally hit post!

Keep an eye on wet/dirty nappies and weight gain.

Also the 'whats happening with mum' bits pissed me off with the constant reference to weight and body shape. 'breastfeeding burns x many calories' 'you might feel comfortable getting some steps in' 'now you're probably ready to join a fitness group'

For god's sake it's 2022!!!!

www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby

This the online version of the book given out to pregnant women in Scotland. Has all the important things about pregnancy, labour, birth, newborns, looking after and baby etc but really like OP said, your baby will not ready any books so apart from basic baby knowledge its better to learn on the job and get to know your baby as no baby is the same. Congratulations! Such lovely news!

Not read any*

Your baby week by week, and then your toddler month by month. I found these through trial and error of unhelpful books with my first and used them again with my second daughter.

Parent taming. it’s so funny 🙂