Infant-and-Toddler-Development Books

I didn't get all the way through it, but this was a great first guide. My daughter did everything they said she would. I would recommend it (and have) to anyone.

Don't let the size of this book fool you! I wasn't sure what book to buy to learn about teaching my baby to swim, but I'm so glad I picked this one. The photos are absolutely beautiful and the book is quality enough to place on a coffee table. I was greatly inspired. The exercises are simple and clearly explained. I was able to remember many of them after only skimming it when I took my baby to the pool for the first time - which, thanks to this book, went much better than I expected. My five month old took to the water very well. The author also clearly stated many safety issues to be aware of - for which I was very thankful.

This is a great book. I highly recommend it. ...even if you only buy it for the pictures!

This book is conversational yet concise, and packed with important information for how to safely swim with your baby from newborn into toddlerhood. The many photo illustrations are detailed, clear and beautiful. The author answers important frequently asked questions about water safety and learning to swim. After reading this book and viewing the images, I feel confident taking my 4-month-old into the water for his first swim, and being able to expand his lessons if he likes it.

I bought this book as a gift for my sister who is expecting a baby anyday now. I used the older version of this book to teach our nephew how to swim. We started when he was only 4 months old and did the things in the book in addition to a local swimming class focused on water enjoyment. If I could do anything differently I would have started even younger! He loves the water, and sometimes cries when we leave the pool. The book provides a lot of information to assure parents and caregivers that swimming is a safe and natural activity for babies. Not only is the step by step instruction and reassurance easy to follow, the photos cannot be beat! My sister is looking forward to using the book with her new baby, particularly because she knows about the positive experience I had with our nephew. I recommend this book to any parent or caregiver that wants to be actively involved in introducing their child to the water and swimming!

Just when you thought you had answered every question about preparing for a baby, Amanda Dobbins thinks of more questions and provides the answers. There is no other book on the market that provides a more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to becoming a parent. I only wish I had her book when my first child was born! This is the best baby gift and will be a treasure for years to come!

Gifts from "Grandmother" to adult children or young friends who are expecting a baby has its challenges. I want to avoid being philosophical or imposing or to tread on sensitive toes at such an important time. Of course, the stores are full of 'things' to get, but Grandmothers like me enjoy giving a meaningful (not to mention useful) gift

Well, I have found the perfect book for any and all new parents! I will buy it again and again this year because so many babies of friends and neighbors are due. I'll buy it for shower gifts and for new baby gifts.

Amanda Dobbins has written a book that helps parents organize a "whole new world". She offers both personal and expert views on many of the issues that surround the myriad decisions new parents have to make. She writes about unfamiliar responsibilities with reassurance in a matter-of-fact way. When a new parent finishes a topic, he or she is fortified and ready to proceed with the task. Even more importantly,The Baby File is wonderful to look at and a joy to use. There is space for "making the book your own". For many new parents, it will become a keepsake of fond memories of a wonderful time of life.

The Baby File is full of instructive information, it supports parents when they really need it, and it reinforces memories. It is a great gift to give (or to get for yourself, if 'Grandmother' doesn't get it for you!)

I bought this book for a friend's baby shower, but read it cover-to-cover first. The Baby File provides exactly what it purports and more: A single volume in which you can find and store all the practical info you need from pregnancy through early childhood. There's nothing else like this out there. It's really helpful and downright smart. And what's "more?" Its combination of anecdotal and factual information is actually an engaging read. Amanda Dobbins writes with a reverence for motherhood firmly rooted in reality and experience, and there is no gimmick about it -- she has earnestly done all the research and organizing so other new moms don't have to.

A definite must-have for any new mom!

This is one of the few resources that equip new parents with a "lesson plan" for interacting in positive, productive, and, most importantly, fun ways. Not all of us, after all, can recall the nursery rhymes, songs, and games we played as an infant! This resource helps bring back the once familiar and introduces new ones as well. In an age that pushes us to produce independent little "baby einsteins," it is refreshing to have the voice of a respected pediatrician call us to action for just plain fun time, interacting one-on-one with our instinctively interdependent, social babies.

What an excellent idea! This pack contains all the essential items and topics required for the growth and development of your young baby. It is especially suitable for first - time parents who are bombarded with so much information on how to ensure the stimulation and development of their baby and dont know where to start. I found it very simple to use and also quite exciting and could not wait to introduce a new topic, excercise or toy. My husband was thrilled with this find of ours and he really enjoyed being able to contribute to our son's learning experience through stimulation and play.

When you shake this "book style" play pack, you can hear the musical rattle inside. The rattle helps a baby to acquire a mature grip which later will help in writing. In fact, this "book" opens up to reveal a number of fun activities for you and your baby. The three foam toys are covered in various materials. The surface, color, shape and sound of each block will fascinate and amuse. The Music tape (Mozart Beethoven, Handel, Vivaldi and Bach) will help to stimulate the part of your baby's brain that is responsible for math, logic, concentration and speech.

There is a cute wall banner which will help your newborn baby to stimulate recognition and memory. It is not something your child could play with as it is just made out of paper and could easily tear. It is just a very small item and could be put up on the wall so you could point to images of a cat or pig and say the sound each animal makes. The mobile is easy to assemble and must also be kept out of the babies reach. If placed 8-10 inches above the crib, it will help to stimulate vision from birth.

I turned over a smiley face on a piece of cardboard and found myself, well..looking at me :). It is a mirror you can hold above our baby's face so she can study her reflection and begin to develop a sense of self. Because various types of play will encourage your child to develop in different ways, there is a set of "48 game cards." Each card encourages all aspects of a baby's development. Every card shows a fun activity. Fun and familiar rhymes like "This little Piggy" are fun and help a child to be more aware of their feet.

The included "Baby's Skill Book" is just wonderful as it presents hundreds of easy ways to encourage your baby's month-by-month progress throughout the first year. A "golden hour" time clock shows the games and activities that will be particularly good at various stages of development. During the wakeful times, you can help to promote his innate desires to communicate and play.

All I have to say is..."How did parents survive without all this information in the past?" Dr. Miriam sure has it all organized for the new mom and dad.

~The Rebecca Review

I exchanged the Humble Bumbles' Baby Journal for the Keepsake Of Love Baby Journal instead because the graphics and layout were much more appealing. The only other difference between the two is that Humble Bumble has envelopes to put the hospital bracelet in as well as baby's first clip of hair, but I don't mind pasting my own mini envelope in the Keepsake journal. The spiral bound makes the journal even more user friendly as it can accommodate all your keepsakes and still be able to close nice and flat. I think I will order another one just to ensure that my next child has the same baby journal in case this should be discontinued.

I received this journal as a gift at my baby shower and found it very easy to complete. There are a lot of pages dedicated to life before baby... which are great to finish before the baby comes! I keep a paper clip on the month-by-month update pages so that I can always write in a new achievement. I recently purchased a 2nd journal to make sure that both of my kids have the same baby book (and I know what things I need to keep track of to write in the baby book).

I received this as a gift from my sister and I really love it. After looking myself for a baby book I was disappointed in the ones I found and thought I would take my chances letting someone else pick it out...and I couldn't be happier with her choice. This book has just the right amount of information pages. It includes a page each all about mom and dad, a family tree, baby shower details, how mom and dad prepared for the baby, along with the other basics like the arrival, hand and footprints, milestones, etc. I really like the "Reflections from the heart" pages on different topics such as the day you were born, enjoying your home, your favorite things, how fast you have grown and others that allow the parents to write special notes to the child. It also has lots of room for photographs and includes a pouch for cards and keepsakes. It also comes with a growth chart that can be removed. It includes pages for the first, second and third years.

Overall, this is a very beautiful keepsake of baby's first years.

I have read a lot of books on child development/parenting/etc but this short book is one of the best. Everything is there that is in the longer books (and more) but as a busy parent I actually have time to read it. Even better, I can give it to my husband to read ( a chapter or two) and he'll do it! I've also read the toilet training book by this author and it is much much better than anything else--no formulas, just good common sense.

Parents, this book is wonderful! If you have a 2 year old child that will not seem to listen and you have tried everything then you need this book. It explains why screaming, yelling and spanking do not work on some children. This book explains why your 2 year old acts like he or she does and how to deal with your 2 year old when they misbehave. I have read several books on this subject and this one I definitely like the best. It is small and easy to read. Good luck!

I recommend this book to all of my friends because it is very thorough and very short! This is especially helpful if the other parent isn't much of a reader (at least about child development) I highlight a few chapeters when I want my husband to understand more about what our daughter is going through.

This is such a practical, loving and very kind book for how to enjoy your child's toddler stage. It contains all kinds of suggestions for making life fun for both you and your tot -- all surrounded with lots of hugs and comforting. The sleep, feeding, potty training, and other advice seems spot on. It also offers lots of British-y nursery rhymes and classic book and toy suggestions. I highly recommend it to parents with 1- to 3-year-olds.

Classy hardcover guide to parenting with plenty of sound advice. Beats all those paperback 'supernanny' type guides hands-down. This one is from a professional who knows her stuff, not a puffed up overnight TV personality. Starts at 6 months and includes all the basics, plus fun recipes and advice. A nice gift for a new mother

I admit that I laughed a little when I first saw this book. Perfectly happy children? I flipped through a little, though, and took it home. The author has been a nanny for 18 years, her recipe for good childcare is "provide the safety and security of a familiar routine, set clear limits and boundaries in order to make them feel loved and cared for and to teach respect, and, most importantly, make it fun and play together." She breaks the book down into 6 months-1 year, 1 year to 2 1/2 and 2 1/2 to 5. My child is already 1 so I didn't read all the first part but she lists 10 steps to a routine, suggestions for introducing table food, games to play, etc. I do not agree with the "cry it out" sleep method but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. The rest seemed very common sense, but sometimes you're so sleep deprived you want something down on paper to give you a routine to stick to. The toddler section was also good, I particularly like her recipes for toddlers and "Tips for Fussy Non-eaters." Though I am devoted to attachment parenting, it does not really conflict with her philosophy (except for the cry-it-out thing and I realize parents all have strong feelings one way or another--and even she says to distinguish between actual hysterical crying and "oscar-worthy performances" and that if the child is sick and miserable to bring her to bed with you) and actually abuts nicely, the whole organic food, prepared yourself, making bed a positive association with lots of snuggles, playing with them but also reading the baby's signs for when they're done playing, hungry, tired, etc. Her philosophy seems to be a routine that is flexible "within reason." She says "it is important to remember never to compare your child with others. You have a unique, individual child who was born with a temperament and personality that you are patiently nurturing. There are no right and wrong ages for them to develop, just guidelines that you can follow. All you can do is teach and assist them, and trust that they will accomplish what they need to in their own time." This book is chock full of specific and sensible information and has lots of ideas with regards to play, discipline, potty training, nutrition, and much more. I would certainly gift it at a baby shower (perhaps with a more mainstream first 5 years books like Dr. Sears Baby Book) as it is gorgeous and a very pleasant read, interspersed with quotes to begin each new section. Don't dismiss this because it looks fluffy, this is a gem!

From the publisher of the "How to Survive" series, this cool little book covers pretty much everything you'll encounter in the first year of parenthood. Because it uses real quotes and tips from real parents, sometimes the advice directly conflicts, even in back-to-back paragraphs--but that's how it works in the real world, too, when your friends and family all give you wildly varying advice for any given problem (what you realize eventually is that however you decide to address that particular issue, there are lots of parents out there who made the same decision). So this book works as a basic resource for finding lots of options and possibilities. Well-edited and always interesting. I definitely recommend this book as an accessible, entertaining resource for new parents.

Oh, Baby is a great resource book for parents needing advice on their newborn's first year. It contains tips from experienced parents about birth delivery, coming home and handling daily challenges with a new baby in the home. It's all about taking care of the newborn's needs as well as the parents. The many suggestions that this book provides will help any parent who is concerned about surviving the challenges of parenthood.

The opinions and experiences represented here will be useful to new parents. You'll find plenty of advice - ranging from the true confessions of moms who had a really difficult first year at home with their babies, to the excellent diaper rash suggestions. As a psychotherapist who often works with new parents I appreciate this book's approach because it rightfully normalizes much that is often kept hush-hush. Give this as a new-baby gift; I know I will.

I purchased this book for my son & his wife, they liked it so much I purchased it for my daughter & her husband when they had children. It really has helpful suggestions.

I've read a lot of parenting books and this is one of the best. Each topic is covered in depth from several angles:
--what is known from research on the topic
--suggested strategies and reasons for using these strategies
--variations and additional suggestions made by parents

I appreciate the nuanced, balanced, kind, sane world view as well. I have a lot of respect for what is in this book, in part based on what is NOT in it. For example, disciplinary strategies are neither the overly touchy feely stuff presented in books like "Becoming The Parent You Want To Be" or a hard authoritarian line that neglects to teach kids WHY treating others with respect and doing the right thing is important. There don't seem to be any crazy sidelines (ie. the wacky diet suggestions of the "What to Expect" series). Outdated notions of gender stereotyping are also refreshingly absent. This book is truly geared toward parents who need advice in a very neutral way, rather than assuming that mommy is running the show as so many books do.

If I could only keep one of the greater than one dozen parenting books I have, this would probably be it. I return to it again and again and find solid, workable and to-the-point advice on a host of issues.

If you can only buy one book to get you through your children's preschool-age years, this is it. This book is worth buying rather than borrowing because you'll want to refer back it to over and over. It covers discipline and child development, as well as the larger realms of family and school, in a manner that is accessible, reassuring and very informative. First-person narratives are sprinkled throughout, which makes it enjoyable to read. A very wide range of issues are discussed, in a tone that respects both the parent and child.

Mi cunada me recomendo este libro asi que lo compre puesto que estoy esperando a mi primer bebe y como mama primeriza tengo muchas dudas y temores. Este libro me ah ayudado a sentirme mas segura del cuidado que le dare a mi bebe ya que trata temas muy practicos ademas que estan muy explicitos. Creo que este libro es realmente el manual de instrucciones del bebe que toda madre y padre deberian de tener. De ahora en adelante ese libro sera uno de mis regalos a cada baby shower al que asista!!

Hay muchos libros sobre los cuidados de los bebes, pero los mejores estaban en ingles. Al fin hay uno buenisimo en español!

Este libro esta escrito en forma muy clara, muy explicativa, con fotos que ayudan a entender mejor algunas cosas. Es entretenido de leer y facil de buscar la informacion que uno esta buscando. Es una gran ayuda para madres y padres que tengan un bebe nuevo en casa, aunque no sea el primero: Nunca es tarde para aprender!

this is a beautiful guide on the first year - - in spanish. it has all the tips and questions and answers you always wish you had on hand from experts, and the academy of pediatrics, but it is so easy to read. it also has some moving perspectives from the author about her own experience that puts all the info in perspective.

my nephew's baby sitter is from spain and found it on our counter, and she picked it up to read, when i got back 3 hours later from dinner she was already half way through. she said it was the kind of book you always wished you had on hand when you had a question. i would recommend it to anyone who is a new parent or takes care of newborns and prefers to read in spanish,

This guide was very helpful to me it is a must read for all new babysitters!

This truly is the ultimate guide for baby-sitters. I have read everything I can get my hands on that covers this subject and this is the only book I personally recommend. It is extremely comprehensive and well researched. I am a former firefighter, paramedic and also a father of 4 young children. I created a safe baby-sitting program in the fire service that has trained hundreds of children to be better, more equipped sitters. I recently produced a video entitled "Safe Baby-sitting" that is currently selling all over the country. So it is with this background that I strongly suggest this book for every sitter. It is very easy to read and understand for all ages and gives tips that will help make any sitter's job easier. I especially like the tab for "Trouble". I take the role of the baby-sitter very seriously and I can see that the authors of this book do also. Keep up the good work!

This is a well written babysitters guide. Just keep in mind that many states require that babysitters be 13 years old and have a babysitting class. If you aren't sure about your state's requirements (or didn't realize they existed), call your local department of Family and Children's Services and ask them the home-alone and babysitting age requirements.