Best book to buy for first time parents

[toadmum]

Hi just wondered if anyone can recommend a good book for pregnancy and the first year of a baby for first time mother/parents? I just want to buy one good book rather than several which will end up confusing me! Thanks in advance x

Erm, what do you think you will learn from a book?

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

For pregnancy I like Expecting Better by Emily Oster. For afterwards, I think you need to read a few different things to see what suits you and your parenting style.

I loved 'The Food of Love' for breastfeeding support and wish I had found it sooner. I took a bit from The Baby Whisperer, couldn't manage with Gina Ford and got a lot from the River Cottage weaning book when the time was right.

I can't imagine you could learn everything from one single book and will also find your way without books for a lot of stuff! Good luck

Go The Fuck To Sleep. It probably won't be appreciated for a few months though!

Books like what to expect are quite good.

Any books on sleep - the only good one is "healthy sleep habits happy child" for the theory on sleep (I ignored the sleep training bits). It basically says let baby sleep whenever and cuddle etc for the first few months.

I wouldn't get a parenting guru book i.e Gina Ford, baby whisperer, no cry sleep solution.

I'd buy a book like the baby centre book, tells you what to look out for if they get ill, what sorts of things they do week by week etc. Doesn't tell you what to do, just is a good reference if you have a question.

If you really want one, work out what kind of parent you are first - if you still need a book then you can choose accordingly.

Basically the parenting books go as follows:
Gina Ford - all about strict routine and getting your life back. Not baby led, about parents needs. Not afraid of letting the baby cry to enforce the routine chosen for the baby. Is a hard book to follow if breast feeding.

The baby whisperer - emphasises listening to baby but still emphasises routine. Is a fan of 'pick up put down' which is another sleep training method, but doesn't involve leaving baby. Is still a big fan of routine enforced by parents, but is more baby led than Gina ford. Breast feeding advice not great.

The no cry sleep solution - this is the most baby led of all the ones I've mentioned. Is a book for breast feeding co-sleeping parents, though the advice can be used if you aren't doing this. No routine enforced, all about listening to the baby.

You won't know what parent you are before baby gets here... your baby can dictate what kind of parent you are to a certain extent - some love a Gina ford routine, some need the closeness of co-sleeping.

Hope that helps

The Mumsnet book Babies is quite amusing.

Who needs a book when you have Mn?

Thank you for your recommendations - I will look into a few of them. You are probably right - its may be right to find out how I get on and use mn or other forums if I have any problems/questions.

I know I won't prepare myself fully for the birth of my first baby but myself and my husband want to try and we've found reading things does make us feel more confident and happier about entering parenthood.

Thanks again