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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

The Baby Whisperer - and other book recommendations??

13 replies

boolean · 28/09/2008 20:41

My SIL gave me this book and said she'd found it fairly useful. As a first-timer (39 weeks tomorrow! excited icon) I'm not sure whether to start reading it now or wait and see how I get on under my own steam.

Has anyone else used her techniques? Are they the sort of thing which it's best to establish from the off?

And can anyone recommend a good all-purpose book with more practical info in (e.g. for medical advice)? My mum said she used good old Dr Spock but not sure if it's a bit out of date!

Thanks!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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ruddynorah · 28/09/2008 20:44

anything by sheila kitzinger

also elizabeth pantley.

MegBusset · 28/09/2008 20:47

I would burn the BW book. She made me feel a total failure (at first) and then, as I became more confident and aware of what crap she spouted, really really angry at her. You will get much better advice on MN.

For a very basic how-to book on changing nappies, bathing etc I found Miriam Stoppard's First Time Parents very useful in the early days.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 28/09/2008 20:47

For practical info I'd find a good baby website, although after a few nappy changes (not detailed in any book) you'll know just about everything you need to know. For medical advice, I'd stick to the HV (if good) or the GP.

PavlovtheCat · 28/09/2008 20:50

Read them now by all means but there is absolutely no need to a) do a thing about sleep patterns in the first few weeks/months - they will sleep when they want to b)decide on any kind of technique that you will try in advance of knowing if you need it, or what kind of baby your baby might be. Different babies require different handling, some need little sleep coaching at all.

For general all purpose advise I personally found What To Expect When Expecting: The First Year a godsend, but the follow on The Toddler Years was crap! I know some people would not recommend it, but I found it very good and practical, not offering moralising stuff, just what is happening in that year, and well, what you might expect to see happen developmentally with baby and with you in each month of the first year

ruddynorah · 28/09/2008 20:52

miriam is shite for bf info though. she still says the old 5 mins this side thing.

funnypeculiar · 28/09/2008 20:55

I liked:

miriam stoppard for general advice
elizabeth pantley on sleep (No Cry Sleep Soln)

I had a great NCT book too, which was really sensible - but I can't find it now on their website, sorry!

Unfortuntely, neither of my children had read the books - be warned that yours may also be similarly unprepared

Totally agree with pavlov that you shouldn't expect anything ito techniques and routines for the first few weeks - just go with it, and try & enjoy it Congratulations, btw!

funnypeculiar · 28/09/2008 20:56

Oh, and mn is better than any book, of course

MegBusset · 28/09/2008 20:59

I have just checked my copy of MS and actually I can't see any major problems with her BF info (speaking as someone who's BF for 19m). She says to feed on demand and not to restrict the time on each side.

ruddynorah · 28/09/2008 21:00

i got her first time parentbook and it banged on about how long each side etc etc. maybe she revised it.

she stills says similar when i see her on tv or read her srticles in mags.

bestfeeding by renfrew et al. is far better.

MegBusset · 28/09/2008 21:03

In fact Boolean you can have my copy of the Miriam Stoppard book if you don't mind paying for postage -- CAT me if you like

domesticslattern · 28/09/2008 21:27

This is the best book by a mile:

www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Baby-Week-Ultimate-Caring/dp/0091910552/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222633 498&sr=8-1

Written by a paediatrician, full of practical advice (like the medical advice you want), takes you through week by week. Also takes a lovely tone and doesn't over-prescribe or have silly gimmicks like the Baby Whisperer. It is quite new out so not as well known as the Miriam Stoppard books, and for my money, it's much much better.

Original poster

boolean · 29/09/2008 12:18

Thanks all! I had started to read the first couple of chapters and was already beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed at the tone of the book...I'm one of those people who likes to feel prepared, but I guess that's impossible and I will just have to get on with it!

Thanks for the recommendations, I think I will go to the library later and see if they have any of them before I shell out on buying my own. And stick to MN of course!

OP posts:

bessmum · 29/09/2008 20:06

I had a look at a few of the books and like you found them overwhelming and was far happier to do my own thing, DH too. However at around 4 months-ish we were struggling with frequent night waking and so I turned to another Baby Whisperer book "The BW solves your problems" which totally worked for us and I was glad that I bought it. I don't regret doing my own thing for the first few months though, I do feel that you've got to find your own way and get to know your own baby. Another book I like and dip in and out of is "Your Baby and Child" by Penelope Leach. Good luck.

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