Infant-and-Newborn-Care Books

A friend loaned me this book early in my pregnancy. Unfortunately, I was already weighed down with other pregnancy books and didn't look at it until much later. This book provides general information on exercise, nutrition, and fetal development. IF you want more details about how the baby is developing, though, you will have to look somewhere else. It is particularly good at describing what happens during labor and many of the medical choices you have- including more options on pain relief than you are likely to be offered. I found the sections for postpartum care and taking care of the baby very helpful as well. It will get you through the first days until you have time to pick out a book on baby care.

I had three best selling pregnancy books and this one stood above the others!! I refered to it more than the others due to the content being more "facts" rather than the "stories". Any Mom may have her own way of doing things but there are basics that you just can't expect to know based on instinct and this book spells them out in easy to read sections that are well labeled for reference. It's the best and most thorough! A MUST!

Wonderful, informative, confidence builder for first time mothers. More information than a lamaze class. Helps with pregnancy, birth and parenthood decisions from every aspect of pregnancy, birth to parenthood.

I found Pregnancy to Parenthood "by accident" in the book store. When I got it home and started reading it, I couldn't believe how wonderful and informative it is. I have to agree with the reviewer who said she'd trade all her pregnancy books for just this one. It gave me more birth information than any of the others. And it is so clear and understandable. Now that my baby is 6 months old, it is still the one I refer to for guidance. The breastfeeding information is the best--so supportive. You can tell that these writers have "been there." I love the great photos and the cartoons too. If you are pregnant, get this one FIRST--you won't need any others!

I got this book beacuse I couldn't find what to Expect when your Expecting and I love it!! It is very helpful. I then got WTE and found that PTP had better information in most places. This book has more Medical information. I found that the other book said See your doctor or try the diet way to often. I would reccommend this book to anyone. I particularly liked the area that talks about how the baby is growing and what is happining to her/him.

I got this book for my son and daughter-in-law for their first baby. They use it for a reference for all things to do with their new son and my beautiful first grandchild.

I loved this book! I liked how the author doesn't focus this book to moms, but refers to "parents" in everything she writes (with the obvious exception of breastfeeding). Her advice is good, practical, and non-judgemental. She discusses issues such as cloth vs. disposable and breast vs. bottle without pushing a particular point of view. She covers important topics many new parents don't think of, like wills and insurance coverage. This is an excellent guide for new parents and non-traditional couples (singles and gays).

Me and my wife are having out first baby in March. I bought this book after reading previous reviews. This book was very helpfull in pointing out the basics on every aspect of having a baby. It really gives you information on every subject and provided me and my wife with a list of decisions we needed to make. I would highly recommend this book for first time parents who want a non biased approach on baby care.

I am a 69 year old grandmother who would have greatly appreciated this book when I was raising my children. After reading the book I gave a copy to my daughter who has two small children. Pointing out the importance of the safety aspect of baby products without leading parents to spent beyond their budget should be high on the priority list for new parents. This book is a common sense, easy to read book covering most aspects of raising a baby.

Ms. Blocker's book goes beyond basics in the friendliest format I've ever seen. This is the book I send all my friends who are expecting whether for the first or fifth time. Even after 5 of my own, I learned from it and found it simple to locate anything I wanted to look up. Her solid advice on pre-birth clothing and supply buying, on what to look for in pre-owned items (practical!) and on almost everything else is fresh and accurate. Only one wish: more about breastfeeding, especially for working women. Ms. Blocker's high degree of professionalism and practical experience shine through on every page -- it's like having a conversation with a knowledgeable, favorite friend who's the best mom you know. Her "Practical Parenting" sidebars add a special touch to this book not found in other 'raising baby' manuals. This isn't 'how to', it's 'why to' and 'have you considered' and 'maybe you might want to think about...' She doesn't give orders, only bright, sensible suggestions. Buy -- enjoy -- apply what she says. You can't go wrong!

Mama Knows Breast was given to me as a gift when I first got pregnant and it has been by far the best new parent book I have read to date. Being pregnant with my first I always expected to breastfeed but didn't know anything about the trials and tribulations and overall what to expect. This book is written in a fun, informative, non judgmental way. Unlike 99.9% of the other new parent books I have read this book didn't create a severe panic attack in me but helped me feel more prepared, confident, excited, and open minded! I have since given this book to other pregnant friends but refuse to lend out my copy (I know I will need it as a reference when my little girl arrives next month).

Andi Silverman's book is a fun and fact-filled breastfeeding primer featuring quick tips and realistic advice. It includes the practical aspects of fitting breastfeeding into your life (such as "operating instructions," different nursing positions, potential problems and solutions), together with easy-to-read chapters and answers to every possible lactation-learner question. An added bonus is this book's sturdy yet useful size - just right for one hand while the other is busy with baby!!

Witty, but chock full of useful advice . Deals with everyday circumstances facing mothers.

Andi Silverman has written a really down to earth breastfeeding book. The text is filled with truthful and humorous quotes from moms and interesting data points, enough to make you laugh at 3 a.m. while you're feeding. The illustrations are also very sleek, educational and entertaining.

I counsel new mothers all the time and this is the positive, easy-to-read text to help get them through some of the more practical issues that they deal with on a day-to-day basis with their babes, from figuring out how to breastfeed in public, to answering the inevitable questions about breastfeeding, to keeping connected to their partners...and Silverman does it all with flare and style.

In short, this is a quick, easy, interesting read that will make an excellent gift for a mother - new or experienced. The author has an engaging tone and a moderate, non-judgmental voice that should make any mother feel at ease, even if she ends up supplementing or not breastfeeding at all. I would feel totally comfortable giving this as a gift, without feeling pushy towards the mother.

The illustrations are quirky and the text is light and humorous. I enjoyed that because breastfeeding can be very stressful, scary and downright painful to a new mother. Per my quick Amazon searches, there simply aren't many fun, positive books regarding breastfeeding. Who wants to read a textbook if they don't have to? I'd rather have a friend holding my hand - and this book does just that by walking you through it in a reassuring and comforting manner.

Again, I think this would be a great, unique gift for a mother planning to breastfeed.

When I first cracked this book open, I kept asking myself why the book sounded so old. I finally discovered that the book was 10 years old. I still read the whole thing because after the first few pages, it didn't feel strange anymore. I simply kept in mind that some things have changed but for the basics, I found it helpful despite the fact that it's originally a book published for German parents. I enjoyed the pictures depicting how to hold a baby, how to swaddle the baby and all. The book took nothing for granted which is good for a first time mom like me. I'm still looking for a recent book on baby care but for now, a big part of my appetite has been filled.

From changing diapers to ear aches, this book covers it all. My husband and I have really appreciated all the information this book contains. We use it for any and all the questions we have about our little girl. I recommend this for all new parents and parents-to-be.

This book is excellent. It is well written and illustrated.
Easy to follow instructions and covers all subjects that new moms might be concerned about.
I have not even delived my baby yet and this is the book I have turned to the most. Especially when I get scared and wonder if I will be able to handle it all.This book will put you at ease with its loving and down to earth tone. Most books on pregnancy and post delivery make you feel even more scared with their need for perfection.This author has found a way to anwser all questions without making you feel bad.
Very good tips for moms after delivery. ( vitamin cocktail)
Also includes fathers.

This book focuses on the care of the baby as well as all of the issues of new parents. It has excellent diets and exercises, and it guides one through the emotions of new parenthood. My husband loves to read the sections devoted to new fathers. Our Baby: The First Year is a gem and should be read by all new parents.

This is an outstanding book for new (or soon to be) fathers and mothers. It has extensive medical material but also is very contemporary in regard to parenting issues. The father's role, as explained repeatedly in the book, is important. I think this is a must book for all new parents. We thoroughly enjoyed it!

This book was in the new book section of our local library. While my 3 year old was feeding books, one at a time, into the book return, my 1 year old pulled it off the shelf. I picked it up and while the boys were enjoying the library collection of books and puzzles I started reading a passage here and a passage there. Within 24 hours I had read the entire thing (including the acknowledgements). That is how compelling this book is. The writing is so sensitive and brilliant and the subject matter is so eye-opening. I am going to buy a copy for my doctor, my midwife, and everyone I know who works in the health field. Can I buy this book by the case?

I think this book is right on and makes everyone think. Families should have the final say in medical care for anyone in their family when they are unable to. For some people out here medicine has gone to far. Doctors should not have the ability to force medical care and sometimes expermential treatment on anyone.

Sometime life is about quality not quanity.

I was a premature baby myself. I was born in the early 1960s, when NICUs were just getting started. I was six weeks premature and weighed five pounds. That's about four times more than many of the babies profiled in the book. Today, of course, a 32-week preemie like myself is hardly worth mentioning. I have no after-effects except possibly my tendency to lung infections.

This book profiles a number of "miracle babies" who were saved after being born very prematurely (at 22-26 weeks gestation) or who were very sick at birth and saved by dramatic surgical intervention and high-tech care. The point made is that for many of these babies, "success" as measured by the NICU staff, usually defined as a living baby who goes home, is quite different from what the babies' parents experience. The doctors and nurses don't have to deal with life-long care for children who are blind, deaf, retarded, autistic, or have cerebral palsy. The NICU staff also don't have to deal with family strain, resentful siblings, bankruptcy, and divorce resulting from the constant pressure of dealing with a severely handicapped child. The parents do. Yes, there are some babies who grow up to be happy and normal. But the percentage of lucky babies is smaller than most people imagine.

Today the treatment of ever-teenier preemies has become an industry in itself. The price to society has mounted steadily. Yes, it's only money. But when a million dollars is spent keeping a single preemie alive, that million dollars has to come from somewhere. If you cut doctor visits from 20 minutes to 15 minutes or reduce the number of nurses on a hospital floor, which are some of the standard cost-cutting measures, it takes a very, very long time to reach a million dollars. The cost of neonatal intensive care is one of the major reasons why health care is so expensive in developed countries, and particularly in the U.S. Health care in the U.S. is trapped in a spiral of diminishing returns as costs climb ever higher. My husband and I spend a very substantial chunk of our incomes on health insurance for us and our son. Are we getting our money's worth? I don't think so.

It is long past time for doctors to begin thinking about the place medicine should have in society, particularly high-tech medicine. High-tech medicine in general has surprisingly small benefits compared to its appalling costs. (For some specific examples of this, such as cardiac bypass surgery, see Nortin Hadler's book, "The Last Well Person.") There are plenty of countries around the world who have public health as good as, or in some cases even better than, the U.S., but pay a lot less for it. Having someone there to hold your hand when you are sick, which is the sort of touch usually eliminated for cost-cutting reasons in U.S. hospitals, is actually cheaper than high-tech medicine and is frequently more effective.

This book should be required reading for all expectant parents, who deserve to know about the hell that could be in store for them should their baby be born sick or early and receive the full panoply of high-tech treatment. Doctors and nurses who work in an NICU, a labor and delivery unit, or who deal with obstetrics should also read it.

An outstanding, objective look at NICU history and philosophy, and a highly recommended backgrounder for anybody with a baby in the NICU or who works in a NICU. Once again, I wish I'd had it when my son was born, and I also wish I'd written it!

As a mother to two preemies, born at 25 weeks gestation, I found Ms. Guyer's book to be an accurate portrayal life in the NNICU and life after the NNICU. The majority of preemies do end up disabled. The outcomes presented in this book are accurate portrayals of the vast majority of children who are born with Extremely Low Birth Weights. All parents-to-be, especially those who are at risk of delivering prematurely should read this book. It should be required reading for every medical student and resident.

I am the new aunt of a 25-week preemie. In the hospitals NICU library, I found this book by chance, and I couldn't put it down. This collection of short vignettes gave me a peek into the mind of a parent of a preemie, into all the hopes and fears and trials and joys my sister and brother-and-law might experience. And right from the beginning, when my sister tearfully begged me not to do anything to hurt her baby, and a week later, when the strain and exhaustion in her voice were becoming obvious... I felt like I had some point of reference, having read Barsuhn's excellent work.

While my baby was in the NICU I thought this book would be specifics about a baby I didn't know...Wrong! A wonderful story that perfectly touches on the things ALL preemie parents go through. A quick read and a must read for those intimately involved with a premature child.

My wife was given this book by the Social Worker in our NICU...I just read the first paragraph and couldn't put it down...each description, physical and emotional is exactly what my wife and I are going through...I am going to order another copy and give it to our "premie" daughter when she is old enough to fathom what me, my wife, and her went through. This book is a MUST for all parents enduring this rollercoaster of a ride....

I felt as if the book was taken from my own journal. I cried as I read while kangerrooing my preemie. I plan to puchase a copy to donate to our NICU. A great book !!!!!

If you are a parent of a preemie, you must read this book. It touches your heart, fills you with the memories -- joy, fear, confusion, elation -- of the experiences that parents of preemies have. An easy read, well worth the low price!

I found this book to be an essential starting point for new parents. I have given it for several baby shower gifts and all of them have raved about it.

The Baby Guide is a wonderful book for anyone who needs baby information. And if you're a new parent or an expecting parent, you need baby information! One of the best features of the book are the 800 numbers and web site addresses of hundreds of companies and organizations. If you want to order products, catalogs, or find information, this is the only reference book you'll need. In addition, the book provides helpful advice from experts and "real-world" experts: parents who have the benefit of experience. Advice is provided on topics ranging from preconception preparation to postpartum depression. The Baby Guide is truly "your total resource for pregnancy, birth and beyond!"

This new approach was worth the ten bucks. It includes hundreds of resources for preparing for the baby. You need a good pregnancy guide, too, but this book covers new ground that I haven't seen in all the other books I've read about pregnancy and babies!

This is my first pregnancy and my husband and I have read just about every book out there. We love this book because it gives you more than just the facts - you get incredible life stories, tons of information on baby products, and coupons to save you some money. This book understands that pregnancy is more than just facts, it is an emotional journey. Finally, this book is a great buy - I'll be giving it as a gift at every baby shower I go to!

I was scared to death about breastfeeding my second son(my first was bottle-fed). I had read so many horror stories and all the things that can go wrong. This book made my life so much better. Really!! The books gives great encouragement and advice. It also is a great reference if you do have a problem. The New Mom Journal is AWESOME. You can track your feedings and the babies output so you know the baby is getting enough. Definely get this book if you are even considering breastfeeding. It is really the only breastfeeding book you need.

I HAVE GIVEN THIS BOOK TO NEW MOTHERS AT SEVERAL BABY SHOWERS. EVERY ONE OF THE NEW MOTHERS LOVED THE BOOK, AND FOUND IT VERY HELPFUL.

In Bon Appetit, Baby!, Elaine Moran has provided the new mother with a complete, reader friendly, breast feeding instruction guide in the form of a four-part book. Part 1 is "The Practical Breastfeeding Manual" which explains every aspect of breast feeding basics and helps new parents identify and appropriately manage early breast feeding difficulties and common newborn problems. Part 2 is "The Complete Nutrition and Weight Loss Guide" showing the nursing mother how to maintain her own good health and provide her baby with an optimal milk supply, while safely and naturally returning to her prepregnancy weight. Part 3 is "The Six-Week Nursing Diary with the Nurse-N-Track System", a two-part diary for easy monitoring of breast feeding progress during the first six weeks postpartum. Part 4 is "The New Mother's Journal" offering a place to record precious memories of the first days of motherhood with specific questions, ideas starters and inspirational quotations to inspire creative journal writing. Bon Appetit, Baby! is an ideal gift and "must" reading for anyone contemplating breast feeding their baby.

I bought this book mainly because the "Six Week Nursing Diary with the Nurse and Track System" seemed like a simple way to keep track of my newborn's feeding habits. Having successfully nursed my first child, I wasn't looking for another "how to" book on breastfeeding. However I found the info in this book was presented very clearly and concisely and wished I had bought it before the birth of my 1st child. It covers all the breastfeeding basics thus making it a good "refresher guide" for experienced moms and a good "getting started guide" for new moms. Plus the nursing diary is wonderful! I recommend buying this book for your basic breastfeeding needs and buying a more complete reference book for info pertaining to specific problems that may arise.

I got this book as a gift and loved it. I'm sad to see that it is out of print because it is so informative. I loved that it went through all of the important developmental stages and explained them in terms anyone can understand. The questions and answers to "Baby" are humorous and a great lead-in for each section. If you can find this book you shouls buy it!!!

I was searching for a similar kinda book for sometime, and as I was looking at the book shelves in the mall this afternoon I found what I have been looking for. I spent the whole day reading it, and it was a really good peice of work, the idea was new too. The book is basicaly about little babies from the begining of their lives in the womb, till 2 years of age, asking Questions and being answered. Really Intreseting book I advise you to buy it.

I bought this book used (which was pretty cool) from Amazon. Book gives information about before baby is born and what the baby is going through on the inside, what they can hear. It is really amazing that babies/young children can learn two or more languages at once, this book explains how this happens. Lots more information on why babies do certain things, how they learn, how they see and what they see and when, little games to play with your baby to develop learning.

I wish my baby would ask about nappy-changing and why he's not peckish, but even though I know I'll have an American baby I can enjoy the adorable question and answer format of this book as well as its many delicious color photos. I appreciated this book's balance between mainstream and "granola" childrearing theories, its wealth of information about child development, and its witty approach.

Elisabeth Hallett's Soul Trek offers a stunningly broad spectrum of a little-explored area, fascinating not only to parents, but to anyone interested in parting the veil between this world and the invisible one. What a privilege, to be invited into the spiritually intimate moments of so many parents-to-be, while also being treated to Hallett's perceptions, which are exceptionally fluid, insightful, and unbiased. I wish I'd had this book when I was pregnant - it's like having hundreds of supportive friends around during one of life's most vulnerable and powerful transitions -- but that my children have it has already made a huge difference in their relationship with their child-on-the-way. The world would benefit enormously if all parents could regard their children as fully conscious even before they arrive. Soul Trek goes the distance toward accomplishing just such a leap in awareness.

Soul Trek is a fascinating and exceptionally well-written book about a most intriguing subject: the bonds between parent and child both before and after birth (even before conception). Hallett has done an impressive job on a controversial subject, steering carefully between sensationalism and skepticism, while at the same time maintaining a warmth and readability that make it hard to put the book down.

This is a beautiful piece of work. Almost every paragraph calls forth memories, hopes, thoughts, and dreams. I highly recommend it, not just to parents, but to anyone open to new ideas about the nature of interpersonal attachment and our place as humans in society with others.

Soul Trek, what a wonderful book! Author Elisabeth Hallett has done the world a marvelous service. She has gathered pre-birth communications stories from 184 modern parents and shares them in her pioneering research book. Soul Trek uplifts our consciousness and reveals a new territory of human potential where parents meet their children on the way to birth.

Soul Trek is a must for every parent. It is a beautiful work that will validate parental intuition from its inception. The glimpses into the lives of those waiting to receive new souls and how each little spirit in turn reaches out with love, inspires us each to look for and honor our own unique experiences of our children and their attempts to reach out to us. The beauty is in the range of experiences Ms. Hallett has found. They are as varied as the children we bring into this world. Elisabeth Hallet also systematically and objectively tackles questions and doubts that naturally arise in a subject as personal as pre-birth communication. In leaving us enough room to question these experiences she also gives us the space and freedom to accept them.