Baby Manual - where are the instructions?!

[ElleMcElle]

Pregnant with my first and it has come to my attention that this baby is not going to come with an instruction manual - seems like a biological oversight, so I'd better purchase one. I'd really appreciate some recommendations from parents currently in the trenches! What are the books that you've actually found useful?

I'm looking for a manual without an agenda - not a book that's pushing a specific parenting style, more of a general "How To" about things like safety, nappy changes, sleep, health etc.

Any tips are very welcome! Thank you!

I got first time parent which is really good - however I haven't actually looked at it since my DD arrived 3 months ago 😂

Tend to google things as they come up really.

I also got first Time parent by Lucy Atkins. Would recommend.

Looks good - have ordered. Thanks! Any others...?

The wonder weeks is useful - if nothing other than to understand what they're going through and why they might be a little arsy that week

Oh yes, download wonder weeks. It's fab once baby is born and you wonder why they're being extra grouchy!

I have that one too! It's useful for finding age appropriate games to play as well

You have read my mind! Following eagerly as I have come to the stark realisation that I have no idea how to keep a baby alive...

You'll honestly find some kind of bizarrely knowledgeable instinct kicks in too !

Thank you - will download Wonder Weeks too.

@Constantlurker - glad it's not just me!

Your baby week by week is factual and midwife-y, which I love (disclaimer: still pregnant).

@EssentialHummus - I almost bought that one online yesterday and I like the idea of the week by week format... But looking at the reviews, many readers seemed to feel that it was pushing an agenda? We haven't yet decided where we're going to land on the spectrum between attachment parenting and Gina Ford - so I'm looking for something fairly neutral to begin with! Is there a lot of stuff in there advocating controlled crying etc?

I've only read the first three/four weeks because I have the attention span of a goldfish but so far no agenda at all that I can discern.

Someone once told me not to read parenting books as they'll just make you feel like a shit parent! But Welcome to Your Child's Brain is really good, although it's not just specifically about babies. It's just a very reassuring read and basically says babies/kids are like dandelions and will thrive no matter what (barring exceptional circumstances like abuse etc).

Thanks - that sounds good and reassuring! I keep telling myself that as long as I don't REALLY mess up, they will find their way to flourish. Still need to find out how to change a nappy, though! DH and I have never spent any time around young babies - 100% clueless!

Youtube 😁

Yy to wonderweeks app. I managed to get by on just that and my NCT group chat for support.

Don't rely on what you read too much. I spent so much time stressing that Ds did have a sleep pattern or a bedtime or if he hadn't slept or why he wasn't doing a certain something yet. I had to stop as it was ridiculous. I used WW app but sparingly!