Infant-and-Toddler-Health Books

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!

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.

A beautifully drawn black and white picture book that came from a father watching his daughter Suki's first, her likes, dislikes, daily schedule to her finally walking and becoming a " big girl".

I was originally drawn to this book by the illustration on the cover while cruising the children's picture books in our local library. I am always on the lookout for any asian baby photos or books because of our adopted daughter and my need to have her see books that look like her as well as books that show other babies.

The pencil drawn drawings are absolutely beautiful and his choice of not to use background color to does not take away from the simple beauty of black and white. He has nothing in the background, just the drawing of his daughter which again is well done and one does not miss ... or at least I don't miss the background.

Most pages are 3 to 5 sentences long each describing the drawing, but not over describing it. Peter McCarty really is an awesome portait artist and really captures his daughter as she grows more and more each month.
I'd love to see more books illustrated by him!

I was drawn to this book by the picture on the cover. It was absolutely beautiful! When I picked it up and read it, I felt as if the author, Peter McCarty had written it about my daughter's first year. It is every baby's story (more or less), and every baby (and parent) will love looking at the beautiful sketches.

BABY YOGA gives a beautiful insight into how the practise of Hatha Yoga postures can be introduced in a safe way to babies - from birth to toddlers - by their mothers, fathers and carers.

The book is written from Dr. Freedmans personal experience as both a mother of four children and from work and research with mothers in the Amazonian Jungle and India where the practise of infant massage has long been a part of their cultural tradition.

The book begins with an introduction to the benefits of baby massage and yoga - physical stimulation, suppleness and strength of the spine, benefits to the bodily systems as well as the 'bonding process' between mother and child are discussed.

The exercises are divided into age groups - birth to eight weeks, eight weeks to four months and eight months+. The postures and relaxation techniques are introduced gradually, thus assisting the development of the chiles motor and sensory skills whilst being sensitive to their emotional needs. The mood in which the book is written is one of happiness and joy and on reading, one feels as though the idea of well-being reaches out and touches the reader.

The sequences are gentle yet progressive and the methodology to each posture is detailed both in written and picture form thus making them easy to follow. The benefits to each posture are also explained - eg, the 'hip sequence' works on opening the babies hip and knee joints, tones the spine as well as working on the babys abdominal organs thus helping with conditions such as colic and other digestive complaints.

Of course the baby isnt the only one to benefit from the practises detailed in the book. There is a very big emphasis on communication between mother and child both from a fun, energetic perspective as well as a relaxation angle. Many different methods of relaxation are included which can help the mother - eg relaxation and post natal depression.

Specific ailments are also discussed, the article on crying was a fabulous read (pages 126/127) and one could imagine it would be an invaluable read to any new mother.

Safety as well as performing postures appropriate to the childs age, needs and ability are very much a part of baby yoga. The book is very keen to stress that the mtoher 'make contact' and seek their childs permission before embarking on their yoga session. Handy tips such as never forcing a childs arms apart before they are ready as well as letting mum know that it is 'ok' to turn their child upside down (in the headstand) even if they get a few horrified looks from their parents and peer group!

The book emphasises that yoga can become very much a part of everyday life. The section on relaxed holds (pages 40/41) and picking your baby up (pages 88/89) are a super read since no one really ever shows a new mother the correct way to hold their child that will safeguard the mothers posture and feel more comfortable to their baby.

A wonderful read to anyone who has a newborn child or is considering becoming a parent. I would recommend reading it in conjunction with watching the Baby Yoga video.

S Lynch - The Yoga Studio

I ordered both books availible on this topic and found this one to be far more practical and user friendly. The illustrations and discriptions of different techniques are easy for those inexperienced at yoga to follow. I found the sequence on relieving colic to be especially useful for me and my little one. My baby loves our "Yoga time" during the day!

I feel that this book was a very informative, and easy to follow. It answered all of my questions and then some. It was a great reference guide for me later when I actually need to use the methods referenced in the book. I think the information in this book is something every couple should know. For my husband and I this was a great sharing experience. It was wonderful learning about myself and us and how we can work together to acomplish one goal.

I bought the book for natural birth control. This book (Clubb & Knight's Fertility) is worth the price for its chapter on charting and birth control when you are coming off the birth contol pill; it is the most complete information on this specific topic that I've found. If you are looking for fertility awareness method for birth control, a much more complete book is Toni Wescheler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Buy both books and you're all set.

This book is the best kept secret in "How To" category. Every young parent should read it. It's beautifully illustrated and reads like a fairy tale.

This book answers some typical questions which are always on a parent's mind, such as how to handle the baby's first 24 hours at home and how to make a home childproof for a new born. People can tell you these things, but it's reassuring to have it presented clearly from a doctor's perspective.

This book provides a readable, and reasonably good, overview of fetal development, with a scientific perspective. The downside is that I found the second half to be quite repetitive, and the author harps on, pushing his research agenda.

Nathanielsz presents information regarding our understanding of fetal development in a way we all can relate to. I recommend this book, as well as his latest title (Life in the Womb), to all those interested in what happens during the first nine months of life.

This book provides valuable information on nutrition. Burney has an excellent understanding of how foods can impact our bodies physiologically. Burney is a well known pediatric nutritionist in England. Her books are easy to read and yet packed with valuable data and ideas. I highly recommend this book to others who want their children to eat a healthful diet.

An easily read introduction to nutrition and health, including great recipes, this book can help anyone understand the importance of giving your family a healthy diet. Great for parents trying to discover what is best for their baby or children. Discusses breast feeding, gives time line of when and what to give as first foods, and presents creative meal ideas for children.

I actually borrowed this from the library and read it before deciding to buy, so I knew what I was buying. Still, it's just okay. It has some really good information, but I didn't feel it really said step-by-step what you should do. I also felt that the author repeated himself a lot and that the information wasn't very well organized (basically he could have used a better editor who was willing to reorganize it).

For example, he talks about how babies will most likely be able to start a sleep schedule when they're 3 to 4 months old, but then has a story about an 8 week old who he helped the parents put on a sleep schedule, but didn't really explain how or whether this was a good idea (it sounded like the parents had to just because the mom went back to work. Could I, should I, try to put my 2 month old on a sleep schedule, too, even though I'm not going back to work, just because I want more sleep? What is the likelihood he'll be able to be put on a sleep schedule early? These questions aren't answered).

But I figured for the $10, it was worth buying the book for reference. I think that "The Sleepeasy Solution" is better in that it goes through step by step what you should do and at what age. If you only buy one book I'd try that one (or borrow from the local library). For children before 3 months, I'd try "The Happiest Baby on the Block." It's a great book for how to soothe newborns and help them sleep.

You must buy this book to help with your child's sleeping! Buy it as soon as the baby is born so you understand your child's sleep habits. The earlier you understand the way your child's mind and body works, the easier it will be for them to sleep!

I bought this book on a recommendation because I was having trouble getting my child to sleep. As I was reading the book I found myself appalled by the practices this author was suggesting. If you are all for the cry it out method in any shape or form this is by all means the way to go. I wouldn't recommend this book.

This book is empowering. Finally, not just a Dr. but a sleep expert explains how and why to get my children in bed.
Also he seems have not political or social agenda. It's just the facts. I love it and I already feel better knowing I have a plan.

We had some serious sleep issues with our 3.5 year old daughter, that seemed to have started when she was about 2 years. After trying everything I read this book and it brought a health issue to my attention: tonsils and Sleep Apnea. Turns out that was her problem, and this book confirmed my suspicions. WE had surgery and things have turned around. I also feel that the Dr. makes very sound and logical arguments about sleep for children and most kids dont get enough. Best book I have read on the issues so far.

I checked this book out of library when my first child was a baby. I now use AskDrSears.com website. This book is very comprehensive and a good reference book from attachment parenting perspective. I would also recommend to read about other perspectives.

If you need to go back to work then you may find that some ideas are not practical, but overall it is a good book. It talks a lot about breastfeeding, carrying your baby in a sling and co-sleeping. Sears don't tell you that you are a bad parent if you are not following all the ideas, they tell you to find what is best for your baby AND you. If offends you or makes you feel guilty to hear a lot about attachment parenting, then this book may not be for you.

This book is huge and written like a book, not questions and answers, but has valuable info. in it. I'd recommend it to first time parents. It's easy to find exact subjects and has come in handy many times already--my daughter is only 3 months old!

The has been our go-to reference in the first year of our daughter's life. My natural instincts told me that the "cry it out" method was not for me, and this book was very affirming. The beauty of Dr. Sears is that he approaches childrearing from a holistic perspective - find what's best for you and works for your family. And don't worry about what anyone else says! In 12 months, we have lost maybe a total of 10 hours of sleep following the advice in this book - and that's after our baby was (mis)diagnosed with colic at 2 months. We have a happy, healthy, baby who rarely cries, and is a great sleeper and great eater. I recommend it to all my friends who are having children.

When my first son was born 4 1/2 years ago, I had read the "What to expect" series, and felt pretty prepared. After a LONG ten weeks of colic, my son settled down. At 4 months he started sleeping through the night in his own room (after a few nights of limited crying)and would happily play by himself on the floor for long periods of time, or sit quietly in his stroller while I went about my business. He weaned himself easily by age one and never seemd to miss the breast after that. I remember hearing about "attachment parenting" and thinking, those people must be CRAZY! I would NEVER have my baby in bed, or wear him all day in a sling, or breast-feed for more than a year! I felt very smug, like those people were just too "soft" or weird, or hippie-dippie, that you totally didn't need to do all that, just look at my son! He's doing great, without any of that stuff!

Flash forward four years, and my second son is born. Same parents, same techniques should work, right? The first few weeks were great, no colic! So we thought it would be a breeze, after all, we were experienced parents, we knew what we were doing this time, we'd done it all before. Well, I quickly found out that what worked for my first son just wasn't going to fly with my second. I got out my old "what to expect" books, and "The Baby Whisperer" which I'd found so helpful the first time. They were useless. This stuff just wasn't working with baby 2! He's a very different kid. After totally railing on attachment parenting for four years, I suddenly found myself doing it by default. Then my cousin gave me her copy of "The baby Book", and thank god! I suddenly realized that that's what this baby needed. He needs to be held all the time, needs to sleep near me (at first in a co-sleeper right next to my bed, now in his crib two feet from my bed, and usually at least for part of the night right in my bed) At 9 months old, he still wakes every 3 hrs to breast-feed, and gives no signs of wanting to stop. This book made sense, it seemed logical and really struck a chord with me. More importantly, it worked. Had I tried to follow the advice in the other books, I know we'd all be a lot worse off!

Do I do everything the book says and treat it as gospel? NO! DO I feel guilty when I don't agree with the book? NO! Am I tired? YES! Do I wish my son would sleep through the night? YES! But I know that letting him "cry it out" won't work, and forcing him to be independent too soon won't work either. I also now know that not all techniques work for all babies, and some babies just need MORE. I take the advice that works for me, tweak the other stuff to make it fit, and above all, trust myself to know what is best for my baby AND myself.

While the Drs. Sears do advocate the mother's role over the father's, and strongly indicate she should not work, (which I can see might be off-putting to some) don't be so quick to assume it is biased or old-fashioned. While I completely support women being able work (something they couldn't have done 50 yrs ago) and think that for some women it's the right choice, the biological fact is that (for now anyway), women are the only ones who can physically bear children, and as such have also have the inherent ability to know how to care for them. For me the biggest point this book makes is that maternal instincts are REAL, and there for a good reason, and should be listened to over what anyone (even themselves) says in a book. Babies are only babies for a short time, and their needs are real and deserve to be met. They are not something that should be forced into what is convienient for parents. Everything they suggest in their book is natural and makes logical (if not always practical) sense.

Sadly, our society these days seems to be out of touch with these basic facts, and I think that the people who criticize the Sears' ideas and "attachment parenting" concept (myself included back then) are doing so as a defense mechanism, because deep down we know, under all the women's lib and equal opportunity fathering, that it really is the ideal way to parent. The fact so many people who gave it poor reviews because it made them feel "guilty" should speak volumes to this. Also, if you look at our country's family leave plans, you'll find them shockingly shorter than just about every other first-world country. The same goes for supporting mothers who do choose to be full-time moms. Or stay-at-home dads, for that matter. With work being a more than full-time job for just about everyone these days, and a society that increasingly places little value on family time (check our gov't holidays and average vacation times and work hours next to Europe's and you'll see what I mean) I know that to many this book might seem totally impractical or even ridiculous. But maybe instead condeming it as such, we should recognize it as an ideal to strive for, and do what we can to be better parents, not at the total expense of ourselves, of course, but fully realizing that parenting IS a sacrifice, that our babies and young children count on us to care for them, and despite the pressures of society and work, we need to find a way to make it a real priority, and not an after-thought. This book can help steer you in the right direction, and give you a lot to think about beyond just the valuable info on basic baby care and milestones, by providing a philosophy and practice that gets back to the real root of what it means to be a parent.

Its not that think the information in this book is bad. Actually i agree with a good amount of the "attachment parenting" (god I HATE that phrase) practices. I just don't think it should be called a "philosophy". I did breastfeed (although not exclusively because my son was in the NICU for his first week and I my milk didn't come in for about 4 or 5 days) so technically he had formula for his first week and breastfed until about 9 months after that until I got pregnant again and my milk dried up. We did co-sleep until he was about 4 or 5 months.....at which point he got VERY wiggly, we moved him to a crib and we ALL started getting better sleep. I certainly didn't carry him around in a sling all the time when he was an infant...it was too damned hot. But I have a couple of different types of carriers which I am still using (he is 1) and we both love. He didn't love them so much when he was tiny. He mostly wanted to be carried by his Dad in the bjorn. Not by me. Having said that...I'm not against strollers (I LOVE ours), bottles (yes I workd) OR daycare..or working, or formula (if you need it or just want to use it, go for it. Its a CHOICE people).

So don't get me wrong. I don't disagree with their ideas....what I HATE is the way they are presented. It makes me want to NOT do anything of the things they suggest because they are so damned obnoxious. I would feel much better about all the things I do if I hadn't read this book. I LOVE my sling...but I feel self conscious about using it because I just know that people think I'm some obnoxious, "attachment parenting" breastfeeding nazi.....

I'm sure there is good information in this book that I haven't even picked up on because IT MAKES ME SO MAD when I read it. And yes...I feel that way about all their other books too.

I have babies. I don't have a "philosophy" about how to raise them. They are who they are and I'm doing the best I can to figure out what kind of person my baby is and how best to parent him. I'm a mother - what I need is information. I'm an intelligent thinking person...I can interpret the information all by myself thank you. What I do NOT need is a 600 page guilt trip that tells me I shouldn't part myself from my baby until he is 3 and that my husband should just disappear for the first year except for doing the laundry or whatever ridiculous advice they give.

My mother (whom I love and ADORE) who breastfed ALL of her kids even when it wasn't the done thing, who was a fabulous, loving mother thinks it is the most ridiculous book ever written. That's enough for me!

And for overly anxious new parents who lean towards self-inflicted guilt-trips, this could be borderline dangerous.

My daughter is only a year old, so I haven't tried a lot of the recipes for older kids, but I've loved what I've done so far. We've also been able to turn some of the meals into family meals as she suggests. I can tell I'm really going to enjoy this book. The only downside is a few of the ingredients are hard for me to track down, but I've just changed the recipes to use something similar and so far, it has all turned out okay.

this book is good if you are looking for new ideas on what to feed your toddler. some of the recipes are not very realist and not always suitable for freezing. for the most part it is good and lets you get in your food groups and some are pretty yummy for mommy too.

My partner and I really love this cook book. The recipes are easy and everyone keeps asking us where we buy our baby food. They are really surprised that we didn't buy it at all buy made it at home. Making your own baby food sounds like a lot of work, but it is actually pretty easy. Our 8 month old hasn't turned down a meal from it yet! Aside from the great recipes, the book also includes helpful information about when to feed your growing infant different types of food, organic vegetables and general nutrition for growing babies. An excellent purchase that encouraged us to make our own recipes and we even bought Karmel's toddler cook book for future use!

I think the recipes in this book are excellent but I wish there was a little more detail on daily meal planning, for instance how many bottles, how much formula, I still have so many questions even with this book, I found the Gina Ford book on weaning much clearer. (My daughter is 11 months old).

My husband and I love this book. We found the recipes were fairly easy. Cooking for little ones doesn't have to be chore. We really enjoyed preparing these recipes for our son.