Infant-and-Toddler-Development Books

This book was wonderfully written. It really helped me cope with my own twins being born premature. I recommend this book to anyone who has gone through a NICU experience, especially if your still feeling numb. It was a good break from reading clinical books about NICU issues.

I gave birth to twins at 32 weeks in NYC this year and they spent 6 weeks in the NICU. About a week before they came home, I was sitting on my bed, crying and feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't have them home with me, when I saw Jenny on TV discussing her new book. I immediately picked it up from the library and read it in 2 days. It was so similiar to my own experience and I thought she did a wonderful job of sharing all aspects of life during this time. The major difference being my twins were spontaneous (not from fertility treatments). There were many similiarites in the small details like her husband looking for a job when they were born (mine was too) and her father in law's struggle with cancer (my mother in law was in the midst of her cancer battle at the time as well). Also her feelings about moving out of NYC to a house in the suburbs closer to her husband's new job(we did this about a month after they came home, too) This side information may have seemed irrelevant to some, but when you are so intent on focusing on your babies survival from a premature birth, the other things going on in your life can add such an extra stress that you don't know how you can handle it all. So thank you Jenny for putting together such a wonderful story. I'm so glad you did it because I am such a poor writer. If anyone ever wants to hear how I felt through my experience I can point them to your book and tell them to read it because it says all that I would have wanted to say in an effortless, easy to read format.

I came very close to giving this book 5 stars, as I so much appreciated and related to much written in it. I too was a mother of a preemie, and I have had so many of the worries with each of my three children that Jenny had with hers. I loved hearing about her struggle to decide whether to go back to work or not. So many times, mothers make this out to be such a cut-and-dried decision---they are sure they want to, or they would never consider it. I think the process for many women is much like it was for me or for the author here---a hard decision to make, despite loving both the kids and the job so much! I was touched by hearing about how Jenny felt sad whenever she started pumping milk---my 3rd child would never nurse, and I had a horrible wave of sadness every time that machine turned on!

It's somewhat ironic that most of my quibbles with this book are editing related, considering its author was an editor. I think this is perhaps because the subject was so dear to her heart it was hard to leave out much. But we really didn't need random unrelated details about her extended family, or to hear for the third time musings on whether the boys would want to go to Groton, or details of small incidents like when a sister's boyfriend doesn't want to eat dinner with her, that really have o connection to the main story. I didn't feel this way about any details about the boys themselves---I guess mothers love to read about mothering and children---but there were just so many extraneous details here about so many things it almost felt like filler.

However, I do strongly recommend this book to anyone who has had a preemie, twins or is deciding on an infertility treatment. All these are topics which need more memoirs written about them!

Nice story of the experience of premature birth and motherhood. My heart goes out to anyone who has had to face such trying circumstances, and I'm very glad the story has a happy ending.

I did get sidetracked by Minton's apparant "blame" of twins to her RE, however. On one level I kept thinking how could she not have thought thru this process, or done her homework or research as an educated health care consumer, instead of blaming everybody else after the fact?

Oh -- and as someone else mentioned, there are far too many irrelevant details or tangents. Minton is really, really proud of going to Groton. I lost count of how many times that fact was mentioned even in places seemingly irrelevant.

I wish I could agree with the other reviewers about this book - I have a soft spot for the subject matter considering that I also had a preemie baby at 31 weeks that was conceived through IVF due to infertility. But something about this book just left me cold - I just didn't feel the emotion in the writing. While I could relate on many levels the experience and the feelings of the author, I just didn't seem to connect with her.

Great book. I'm a perspective grandmother and purchased the book for me, my son and daughter-in-law. Each of us has a copy and refer to it regularly as a jumping off point as questions occur. The answers are numerous and brief, and simple enough for anyone to understand. I love it!

I found this book to be very helpful. It answers a lot of simple questions and is very informative.

When I bought this book I really didn't know what to expect and how good it would be, but it's a great guide. The short readings are a must for a new mom. GREAT BOOK!!!

I think this book is good for a shower gift to a first time mom. I bought this when my daughter was 13 months old and I had already experienced and dealt with a majority of the issues covered in the book.

Great information for everything from installing your car seat to communicating with your baby.

this was the poorest book i read on this sub.

this book was the poorest book on this sub.

Dinkmeyer's parenting books for children and for teens are the best I've used as a parenting expert. The books are easy to understand and put into practice. The parenting principle is based on the "Father of Parenting" - Rudolph Dreikurs. Any book on the use of natural and logical consequences is a spin off of Dreikurs' work. Dr. Don Dinkmeyer was a student of Dreikurs. His books have had great popularity by those who know about parenting counseling.

I am a clinical psychologist and have used this (and earlier editions)as a reliable, understandable, and highly useful resource for families that I deal with professionally in my professional practice of over 30 years.

I thought the book was very informative,it lets a parent look at somethings in a different way and helps with better communication between the parent and the teenager. I thought some things were very helpful and some were a little tough to go with, I still feel some rules of grounding are still old fashion rules but they do work and you need to keep them guided on the right track towards their future.

I recently found this book in a Recource Center's lobby. I Started reading as I wated for my teen to finish his counseling session. I found this book to be an excellent source of helpful information. I have been searching for my own copy for a week now.

Why don't any of you " BIG" book stored cary it?????????

The spiral bound book folds over like a table tent which makes it easy to set up and read while you're holding the baby. I was so busy when my baby came home that it was one of the few books I was actually able to read. The content is good too in that it provides you not only with simple, easy to do massage techniques, but also has a wide variety of information including how to calm your baby, what oils to use etc.

If you're expecting this to be a reference book of sorts or anything more than a step by step basic guide to baby massage, then it's not the one for you. The format of the book would make it difficult to reference.

I love this book. I teach infant massage and I provide this book and Vimala McClure's Infant Massage to my students. My husband loves this book, too. He uses it every night when he massages our baby. It's so easy to prop it up at the changing table!

Other books on the topic have better photos and better descriptions of the massages. Every massage is prefaced by "Use CLASS", an acronym for some system she has. But do we really need to be reminded of this every time? It's annoying. It's very short, too. There's a reason this is a bargain book. I was equally unimpressed by the publisher's book on baby signing as well.

A book that is good to for giving massages in the same movement that you are reading. It's a practical book~

Suzanne has it down. You might begin this book with the intention of giving your baby all of the benefits that massage has to offer Such as promoting physiological, neurological and psychological development and function.

But, as it turns out, the bonding that occurs during these special times you spend with your baby are priceless. Developing a deep relationship with your baby that will last a lifetime.

Thanks Suzanne!

The book was in excellent condition and was just what I was looking for. Thanks

This has been one of the best purchases I have made since the birth of my son nine months ago. It has taught me how to massage him in a way that has helped me gain his trust. Not only does it relax him before bed, but it gives us some precious bonding time that can't be matched! I sing his favorite song while I do it, and someday, when he can talk, I'm sure he will sing along. I have suggested this book to all of my 'Mom' friends, and I urge all Mom's (and Dad's) to buy this one!!

I really enjoyed using this book with my babies. The pictures were informative and explanations were simple enough. The only trouble I had was getting the book to stay open so that I could look at the examples while practicing on my baby. It would be much better in a spiral-bound form.

After looking at nearly every massage book out there, I decided to buy this one and have not been disappointed with my choice. The main thing that clinched it for me was the fact that it is illustrated so well - every stroke has a photograph and a detailed description, making it so easy to follow. I found that many other books have line drawings rather than photos for many of the strokes. I also like the fact that there is not too much information. It is clear and concise - just what you need when you're holding the book open with one knee while attempting to massage a wriggly newborn!

My 2 month old daughter absolutely adores massage time, and has done since the day we brought her home. This book is my number one "must have" for all parents. Massaging your baby is a wonderful bonding experience, and one which can be continued into the toddler years.

This book is nice, but for the same price you can buy a DVD on the subject. I like Aimee Ketchum's DVD because not only does she do a great job of demonstrating baby massage, but she also gives lots of information on how your baby develops. Her massage method lasts only 4-5 minutes per session. I really don't have the time to spend an hour giving my baby a massage. There is so much more information on her DVD about your baby and how simple exercises can help your baby's brain development and lots and lots of other stuff. I just don't see why you'd want to buy a book with only massage pictures in it when you can buy a DVD with not only lots of massage info, but also has tons and tons of other simple stuff you can do with your baby. It makes so much sense and you don't need to buy anything else. Plus Aimee has a nice personality and you can tell she really cares. She's very qualified and is a pediatric OT plus certified massage therapist for babies, like Gweneth Paltro hires to massage her baby.

I got this book because I am new to babywearing and there are countless suggestions, websites, and insights from other parents on which carriers work well.

Well worth the money!

I've been using a sling to carry my babies since my now-five-year-old daughter was born, but I'm still rather inept at it, having experience with only one or two carries. Thus, when I came across Babywearing, by Maria Blois, M.D., my curiosity was piqued. I was not disappointed. Babywearing is a fairly easy read, and yet it is so full of information that I know I will refer to it again and again. Dr. Blois answered all of my major questions, and more.

Every aspect of babywearing is covered, from the "why" to the "what" (Which carrier is best for me?) to the "how." Each is treated in sufficient detail to leave the reader feeling well-equipped, but not in so much detail as to overwhelm. Other resources are recommended, as well, for those who may desire to dig deeper. Scientific information and statistics are well-referenced.

The book begins with the benefits of babywearing. These benefits are varied, for both mother and baby. For mother, the benefits are largely practical - babywearing makes her life easier! For baby, the benefits are largely medical and psychological - baby is healthier and more content when carried often. This section also includes brief references to the history of babywearing, and the effect of our babywearing example on others around us.

This section is followed by two about babywearing in special circumstances. A variety of circumstances are addressed, including special needs of babies and special needs of mothers. Fostered/adopted babies, multiples, and disabled parents, for example, can all benefit from babywearing. Kangaroo care - the close, skin-to-skin contact with mama for the sake of health, especially for preemies - is given an entire section.

From this point forward, the book gets very "hands-on" practical. Dr. Blois (a babywearing mama, herself) suggests basic babywearing tips, offers general instructions for things like getting baby onto your back, and gives an overview of the types of carriers available. Then she really digs into the options. Each major type of carrier gets a full section. The author describes the carrier, tells us what its major features are, explains what styles are available within the category being discussed, and provides step-by-step instructions (with photos!) of how to wear them various ways. Each section also includes a comparison chart, which compares the features of the major carrier options within the category.

There are carriers here that I had never even seen! Slings/pouches are the first type of carrier to be described. These are worn over one shoulder and under the other arm, like a sash. Second are wraparounds - long pieces of fabric wrapped around the body and tied. One terrific feature of the wraparound section is that Dr. Blois tells you what lengths are needed for various wraparound styles, and offers instructions for making your own. Front/back packs are the third category. This includes the constructed carriers with which many modern parents are familiar, along with several simpler carriers of mostly Asian derivation. Finally, torso carriers are discussed. These carriers wrap around the parent's body, but do not go over the shoulders.

The book concludes with frequently-asked questions about babywearing, such as, "which carrier should I try first?" and, "will I spoil my baby if I wear him?" The appendix lists quite a few resources, including sources for carrier patterns and parts, and children's books that incorporate babywearing.

The only thing I found disappointing about the book was that the many photographs did not designate which carriers they depicted (by brand name). I frequently found myself thinking, "I like that carrier; I wonder what it is," and it was often not obvious, even when compared with the charts.

Nevertheless, this was such a great overview, thoroughly addressing all aspects of babywearing without overwhelming, that it would make a terrific shower gift. The style is unassuming and encouraging, with very much a "one mother to another" feel. Common doubts are acknowledged and calmed, not belittled or ignored. I finished the book feeling much more confident about my ability to do this.

I will admit that I did not read this entire book, but the part that I did read (which made me promptly put down the book) was the part about how you can even ride a horse while wearing your baby in a sling. I have a horse and I've been riding since I'm a little girl and that has to be the dumbest and most dangerous idea I have ever heard!!! That section of the book made me question the authors judgement and I certainly didn't want to hear what else she had to say.

What a wonderful resource for parents wanting to bond with their children. I am a mother of 7 and an advocate of babywearing/breastfeeding and this book is a must-have for any new or prospective parent. Great baby shower idea: give this book and a gift certificate for their choice of baby carrier...they'll thank you from the bottom of their hearts!

The book opens with a brief biography of the author, and her into medical school and to babywearing. Then the book is organized into every style of cloth carrier, where to buy, how to make, what to use and of course- detailed directions to using them (with pics!) (With instructions for adapting carries for newborns to 2-3 year olds!)

I strongly reccommend this book for all new mums, dads, nannies, grandparents- EVERYONE who will be caring for a little one.

I looked at several baby journals and this was the best one I found. It is caring and very practical at the same time. Go for it.

I thought that this package was not only well put-together but just really cute! It can used for either boy or girl, which was very important to me, but it also came in a plastic case to keep it's contents from being damaged or bent. One of my best purchases so far.

This journal is more than I expected. Its beautiful and has room for a lot of info on baby. It has separate sheets for writing doctors appointment info, and folders for storing papers. I will be giving this journal to all my pregnant friends from now on!

There were so many journals out there but I kept coming back to this one. It contained, what I thought, were all the neat things I would have loved to have available when I had my son 30 years ago. It proved to be an excellent choice. My daughter-in-law went thru each section and loves it all. Both she and my son have completed their personal section on "how Mommy & Daddy met" and all those awesome things you want to remember and usually do not, if not written down, as the years pass. I would strongly suggest this to anyone wishing to purchase a journal as either a gift or for themselves!

I was looking for a baby book/organizer that would be more efficient for twins. I chose this one for the case. I'm happy with my purchase except I wish the book had more "firsts." The first time I felt you kick, move, etc. But all in all, I'm glad I purchased.

I love this book and buy it in bulk for all the baby showers I attend. It's a unique gift that new mothers really seem to like.

This book is nice, but for the same price you can buy a DVD on the subject. I like Aimee Ketchum's DVD because not only does she do a great job of demonstrating baby massage, but she also gives lots of information on how your baby develops. Her massage method lasts only 4-5 minutes per session. I really don't have the time to spend an hour giving my baby a massage. There is so much more information on her DVD about your baby and how simple exercises can help your baby's brain development and lots and lots of other stuff. I just don't see why you'd want to buy a book with only massage pictures in it when you can buy a DVD with not only lots of massage info, but also has tons and tons of other simple stuff you can do with your baby. It makes so much sense and you don't need to buy anything else. Plus Aimee has a nice personality and you can tell she really cares. She's very qualified and is a pediatric OT plus certified massage therapist for babies, like Gweneth Paltro hires to massage her baby.

This book and the onesie that comes with it are so helpful to me now that I have a 4 month old baby. I was pretty timid when it came to touching my new baby because she was premature but I learned how to use the techniques in the book . The shirt made everything so easy. I recommend this book to everyone with a baby!

My sister gave this book to me after she saw it on the "Live with Regis and Kelly" show. My baby has colic and the book taught me some ways to help soothe her. The cute onesie has all the directions on the shirt so I could just follow the arrows to give my baby a massage. It was so easy and I have to say that it worked! I highly recommend this book and baby shirt to all moms.

The intention of this book is nice. The content is just too much! The onesie is cute - for a few washings, and the print is so small - hard to read. I know the subject is important, I just think it could have been delivered in a much more concise manner. There is a newer book out there now by Suzanne P. Reese titled: Baby Massage - Soothing Strokes For Healthy Growth, and it's compact, easy-to-read and she gets right to the point without the need for so much text before you finally get to the strokes.....and Ms Reese's book has photos of real babies - not drawings. Much cuter and fun to look at!

This is a great book to read to have a good basic knowledge on children's patterns of sleeping and should be used as a "guideline" to what to expect from your infant/toddler/preschooler sleeping needs as they progress.

This book covers all the bases. However, if I hadn't read almost every other sleep book out there, I don't think this one alone would have been enough for me. It doesn't go in depth enough for any of the methods for my personal taste. That being said, it does have a lot of ideas and I'll keep it as more a reference guide.

This book is by far the best sleep-help book out there, and I feel like I have tried them all. It reassures you that your situation is totally normal and reminds you that your baby is just a little thing with a "tiny tummy" that does need to be filled every few hours in the beginning. I wish I had this book when my first born (now 2) was an infant. I wouldn't have stressed out so much. It also provides helpful advice about how to get your baby to sleep for longer and longer periods of time, until they are finally "sleeping through the night" (even tho I learned that this definition is pretty loose). I want my baby to sleep through MY night, not hers! This book rocks.

You're tired. The baby isn't sleeping properly and you need help NOW! That's why this book is great, because it gives you ideas you can try today, implement right now. And if the first idea doesn't work, there's often another one, too, sometimes a whole list of ideas.

I like the fact that this book talks to real mothers about real sleep problems and gives real, practical solutions. Ann Douglas writes like your older sister or best friend would talk to you, gently and with humour.

My 10 week old won't nap, yet nowhere in this book can you find any help on how to get your baby to take naps. The all important "Sleep Solution" I'm looking for can't be found here.

I absolutely loved this book. The author writes in a very reader friendly way and gives TONS of tips on going green (to all different extents). I disagree with the previous commenter who said that the author seemed to just be trying to scare people into changes their ways instead of inspiring them, I think it was very much the opposite. I can agree with her on what she said about product recomendations, much of it did feel like she had a stake in the product. Other than those two complaints (which are both small ones) though, I wouldn't have anything negative to say about this book and would DEFINITELY suggest buying it, used of course! :)

I felt this book was a good introduction to topics - from caring for yourself during pregnancy to diapering, green cleaners, clothing, and organic food - that are of concern to new parents wanting to go green and/or do what they can to keep their new baby safe and healthy.

The author spends several pages on each topic overview, each of which includes tips and advice for making solid green parenting decisions, anecdotes from health professionals, parents, and green products pioneers, and product suggestions that relate to each topic.

The book will probably have the greatest appeal to parents who are new to parenting, in general, or to those who want to learn more about raising their child with an organic lifestyle and products. It is a useful companion guide to other pregnancy resources and would make a great gift for new parents.

I am in love with this book! Whether you have been going green for years, or are totally new to the concept, this book is amazing. It talks about being organic during your pregnancy but I just bought it (my daughter is 6 months old) and I am still finding it to be extremely useful! It lets you take baby steps, instead of being bombarded with information. It would make a great shower gift as well!

This book is an easy to follow guide for the green challenged. I am an avid recycler, but didn't know about products that go into and onto our bodies. Green Babies, Sage Moms provides great info and suggestions about how to improve your organic quest with varying degrees of "green"dom.

I was really excited about this book but was slightly uninspired by it. The author gave some great tips and I will admit that I did learn a thing or two (especially about cosmetics) but I found that the book was written in more of a tone to scare people into being green rather than inspire them to make changes and gain a deeper understanding and meaning for why it's not only good for the planet but also the individual, body and mind. I felt that most of the suggestions for good products (especially in the cosmetics) were all for super expensive products and reading about them seemed like a commercial. It's super easy to find lists of eco-friendly products all over the internet. I guess I just feel that if a friend had the book it is worth borrowing, but I wouldn't buy it again.