Books to read

[Cheffie100]

Hi All, I was just wondering if you can recommend some books to read that cover the first 24 months - sleeping, breastfeeding- all aspects of caring for baby.

Trying to get myself prepared as well as speaking to friends on what to do?

Thanks

There's a lot of choice and depends a lot on your own personality which ones you'll like. I've read the Gillian Ford Contented Baby book but many people find it too strict and militant. My friend found she got on with the Jo Frost book. Also heard some good things about The Baby Whisperer

I am currently reading The Yummy Mummy Survival Guide by Liz Fraser, which is a nice light hearted bed time read. But I didn't buy it, I'm borrowing it from a friend.

When I'm looking for books on babies and children I always look for books that are evidence based. None of he ones mentioned above are. I also look for books that are written by a parent. Two of the books mentioned above aren't.

I'd recommend the baby book, babycalming and food of love.

You might also want to read the kellymom books to avoid and thought you might like this thread too

Xposted with rain

first time parent is excellent. Good realistic overview of what you need to know for the first year without bias about how you should be doing it.

Thanks very much all - will be having a look today x

I second First Time Parent, I found it very clear. I was given What to Expect The First Year. It covers a huuuuuuge amount and can seem overwhelming but I found it fantastic to dip in and out when I had a specific question.

My nct girls and I all loved "your baby week by week"

A couple of friends recommended 'your baby week by week' so I've ordered that. There is a really good (long) review on amazon by a lady who read a few books (including the very strict one - think it was Gillian ford). She gives quite a thorough outline of a few well known ones

Week by week is great once the baby is here, but I'd still recommend first time parent for preparing. I used both a lot.

first time parent and week by week are great books! Had them for my first and I've hooked them out for my second. First time parent is just no holds barred... it'll be horrific, but you'll get through it approach really helped me realise it's normal to feel like this and worry about that etc [and I'm now classed as a second time parent to be] the fact that they put mumsnet as a good source of advice makes me like them more... lucy atkins must be a mnetter surely.

I also picked up what to expect when you are expecting [also have the baby year and toddler years] from NCT sales and they have been fab for milestones and being a source for the odd happening. Wouldn't want to pay full price, all though they are aimed at the UK market, they were modified from the american market, so sometimes things will make you go 'what?'

My books are mainly from NCT sales roughly £3 a book, big savings.

DD loves the week by week book, she has a look every week with me at the next phase. She's just turned two, it's very cute.

Some books we didn't like were...

the new father DH found it patronising and a bit simplified.

she who must not be named on MN I just didn't like it, made me feel like a failure and it's just the worst book to give as a gift to a new mum. Though some elements are logical, the way you 'must' do this or you are damaging your child, made me put it in for recycling. I had 4 copies bought for me by well meaning relatives [who's children are older than me].