Baby books

[MuddyWellyNelly]

I'm sure this gets done to death but everyone has a slightly different start point I guess. We already have What to Expect, the first year, which was given to us. I like that it's quite practical and matter of fact but it's perhaps a little too clinical in some instances. I have some book tokens to use up so thought I'd get a couple of other options.

My sister suggested contented baby but she's far more a routine based person than me. I also don't especially like being told what to do . But on the other hand, I'm far from being earth mother either, and can't see AP, co-sleeping etc being up my street. So I guess something middle of the road if that exists? It's hard to know when reading the blurb about a book whether it's what you had in mind, especially when you haven't got the baby here yet!

Hopefully something out there gives options combined with facts, rather than being slavishly evangelical about one style of parenting over another?

I had pretty much the same issue when looking for a baby book. In the end I gave up on most of the books but love this website www.parentingscience.com/ It's all evidence based which I liked, instead of just a person's opinion. Not so great for everyday stuff but helps with some fundamentals. We also bought First Time Parent which is more practical including things like how to change a nappy, what your partner should bring for you in hospital etc, very useful.

Your Baby Week by Week is brilliant. It's written by mums alongside Drs and gives loads of advice and different approaches to parenting over the first six months. You can just read the week you need and it's all really relevant. I have used it with both DCs and will be using it again in a few weeks. I buy it for all my pregnant friends and always get good feedback!

I bought this one First Time Parent. I liked that it wasn't too precious and it gave good, down-to-earth advice. I found it really useful in the first month or so when I was completely clueless

Ah thanks, those are probably the two I've been looking at based on other threads and reviews etc. Thanks also for the website recommendation, I do love a bit of science!

Highly recommend the week by week book. My Dh in particular found it useful- is definitely written with both parents in mind.

I've got the pregnancy and baby book by DK and that's really good quite informative without being too overwhelming

ive got a really good pregnancy book at home but cant for the life of me remember the name. it is very modern and up to date and quite an amusing read. im going to have a google now.

Oh, and the Wonder Weeks books is an absolute must. It explains the developmental spurts babies go through in the first couple of years and helps understand why they go through occasional unsettled/ fussy periods of poor sleeping. Science-based too.

Another vote for the First Time Parent book, it was very 'theory' free and just a good practical guide.

I also really liked Jo Frosts' Confident Baby Care (I think) book - towards the end she does talk a bit about routines, but you can ignore that, and actually it just had some good chapters on basic care and a bit of development theory. It was also the only book I read which made it clear that it is ok if you have that day where you just need to safely step away from your baby for 5 minutes and calm down. I liked that honesty.

Bit of an old one I think but I really liked Penelope Leach - Your Baby and Child.

It's a thick one but goes all the way to Young Child (about 5 or 6). It's very comprehensive and I like the way she writes - doesn't assume all babies are the same (which I think Gina Ford does TBH). Has sections on development, typical behaviours, feeding, sleeping, childcare. It also discusses common problems and ideas to get round them (tantrums, fear of washing hair, food fussiness etc). It's quite wordy but very absorbing.

Ones that I found unhelpful were the ones that implied you were doing something wrong if you didn't do it their way (Baby Whisperer and Contented Little Baby)

Congratulations on your pregnancy

how to have a baby by jane symons is the one i have.

I've been given 'what to expect' but I've not really been gelling with it. At my birthing class 'week by week' was recommended and I've really been enjoying that. I found mine in eBay

how to have a baby

Thanks Gingerbread, is that a pregnancy one? I'm over 30 weeks now and have pretty much ignored any pregnancy books, and just let time and my body take care of it!

I've bought First Time Parent on kindle (was much cheaper that way, albeit it's probably not so easy to use as a reference book) and will get the week by week one in the flesh.

neuroticfox1 oh my god, that site is JUST what I have wanted!! Thank you!!! Going to make my other half read it in preparation, too.

Yes. Thank you neuroticfox! I've just sent a link to my dh. He loves a bit of science (as do I) so very helpful.

oh no good for you then its up until the birth. i will have to check out the link never even thought about baby books ha!