Infant-and-Toddler-Health Books

While I really enjoyed this book, I will concede that the previous reviewers have a point: calling this book "The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning" makes it sound like it's just, and only, a how-to manual on weaning your baby. In fact, it is a somewhat condensed primer on weaning patterns throughout history that transitions into a breakdown of the nursing relationship by age group (under 3 months, 4 months to 1 year, 1&2 years, older than 3) and then discusses characteristics, challenges and possible solutions to these challenges other than full weaning before discussing weaning techniques. Thus, this book, in it's entirety, is for the nursing mom who is thinking about weaning and wants some things to ponder when making this decision. One point that I liked was also touched on in "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler," the fact that it's tempting to feel frustrated and tired and blame this on the fact that you're still nursing. This seems to me to be an oversimplification, however, a too-simple solution for a multi-faceted issue. For the mom who has absolutely decided to wean, as is stated in the introduction, the author has colorcoded bars at the top of the short segments at the end of each chapter that detail the weaning techniques by age group. (The setup of the book is similar to her breastfeeding book in that it contains full chapters and then important information condensed at the end, which I liked.) By skipping the chapters and just reading the pertinent colored pages, a mom could get just the info that they need very quickly. For a mom needing to wean immediately, certainly this book would be useful, though it would probably be prudent to just check it out of the library. I am glad that I bought it, though, and will be revisiting it in the next couple months as my son's and my nursing relationship winds down.

While it's true that this book encourages extended nursing, it also contains useful strategies for weaning at any age. If you're on the fence about weaning, read the whole book and then decide. If you're sure you want to wean, skip the "whether to wean" sections and go straight to the "weaning ideas" pages. The book offers a variety of strategies and stories from numerous parents.

First of all, let me just say that I am pro breastfeeding, but I also believe that it is a personal choice that every mother must make for themselves. So is weaning. I support nursing mothers whether they do it for 2 weeks or 2 years. My daughter is 9 months old and has always been breastfed. She never would take a bottle and doesn't like formula, even in a cup. I got this book because my plan is to wean my daughter at one year and I was looking for some practical advice. Well, I didn't find it in this book. The chapters are grouped by the child's age when you plan to wean. 90% of each chapter focuses on the reasons you may decide to wean at that age and why those reasons are not valid ones. The book basically shoots down every scenario for weaning your child. The sections on "how to" wean focus on how ineffective most of them are. This is not a book that will give you support and advice on weaning. It does not acknowledge and accept the fact that breastfeeding until your child is in preschool is just not the right choice for everyone. I am proud of the fact that I have breastfed this long but the decision to wean is something that I alone (taking my daughter's needs into consideration) will decide. If you are looking for a book to talk you out of weaning then this is the book for you.

I also loved the Nursing Mothers Companion and am very pro-breastfeeding, but I am sad to say that this book is not what it purports to be. As pointed out in other reviews, much more time is spent telling mothers why they shouldn't wean than how they might wean. A great disappointment.

I absolutely love the Nursing Mother's Companion and have used it as a reference on and off since my son was born a year and a half ago. I was hoping that the Guide to Weaning would offer me some innovative tools or helpful exercises to better understand how and when to wean my son. Instead, it seemed like most of the chapter on toddlers (1-2 years) was a cheerleading session for strategies of how to continue nursing, with a short section on ideas for how to wean at the end. I really didn't get any new information here - I think that most moms who decide to prolong breastfeeding have already had to figure out how to manage where and when it's okay for the baby to nurse; it's the final step of actually weaning that can be difficult to tackle. In all, I didn't find the book to be particularly supportive of my choice to begin weaning my son or to offer any concrete suggestions beyond common sense and advice that's easily available from other moms who have been there before.

This book contains helpful information, but fails to talk about one important aspect of a premature baby. It does not address how to manage being separated from your baby while it is in the NICU. I would have appreciated a little more focus on getting and keeping your supply up when you must pump, and cannot feed on demand. Otherwise, a very fine little book.

I was really hoping for lots of great info when I ordered this book, but it wasn't there. LLL really needs to update this and include the specifics that moms need to nurse a preemie. This is not a book but a pamphlet. When it came in I devoured it in a short amount of time and couldn't believe that that was "all there was". I really expected more of a LLL publication and was very disappointed, however, the info it did have was good and accurate, there just wasn't enough of it.

I'm the mom of a 29 weeker who weighed 1lb 10oz at birth. She barely tipped the scale at 4lbs on coming home two months later. I pumped breast milk while she was in the hospital and wanted to be able to breast feed when she came home. It was very difficult and I needed information on getting a preemie who's been bottle fed in the hospital to latch on. This book had general information but was no help with the specifics. It was a waste of money for me. It might be helpful for someone with a brand new preemie who is considering whether to try breastfeeding or not.

I wish that I had had this book right after my son was born at 30 weeks. I had breastfed my older (full term) daughter but knew nothing about breastfeeding a preemie. This book gives a very positive outlook and really makes you feel like it is possible to nurse your preemie. There is information on pumping and storing your milk, on problems you may encounter while pumping, about kangaroo care and on helping your preemie learn to nurse, including pictures of nursing positions that are especially suited to preemies. Most importantly, there is information on ways to provide supplemental feedings other than by bottle to avoid the nipple confusion that may hinder breastfeeding.

This book is rather short. I don't think it is meant to be an all encompassing "how-to" breastfeeding manual, but rather a nice way to begin learning about breastfeeding a preemie. Anyone who wants to nurse their preemie should take the author's suggestions to see a lactation consultant to heart. My son came home exclusively breastfed and I owe my success in nursing to several caring, hardworking lactation consultants. You just can't learn everything you need to know from this or any book, but this book is a good place to start.

I would suggest skipping this one, even at the low price, and buying the latest Baby Bargains -- This book appears hastily put together, has information that is so self-evident it doesn't need to be stated, snubs its "target" audience of first time mothers by putting in a whole section on preparing siblings for the birth, and has out of date information -- The Midas car seat deal it suggests is no longer offered, for example. Also it has no index, so even for the few things I found interesting were very hard to find again.

Call me lazy, but I was really looking for a spare, organized month-by-month or week-by-week CHECKLIST. This is a regular book (albeit a short/small one) and not a particularly well-organized one at that. I want to know what to do when . . . I don't want safety tips for strollers or fluffy and outdated information on maternity clothes. Save your money; I wish that I had.

This being a first pregnancy for me, I was very interested in this book. It hasn't let me down. The book is pretty good really, & I would recommend it to any first time Mom who is uncertain of when she should buy what. The author explains how to use the book, breaks down the checklist by trimesters, offers advice for after the baby arrives, & even includes a pregnancy calander.

While not chock full of information about pregnancy in general, the book does give you guidelines to follow for purchasing important baby items & making baby plans. I think I'll use this book throughout my pregnancy. It's definitiely worth the money

I got this book because it was recommended to me by a friend. I love it and find it quite useful. I have to say that the brownie recipe is to die for and I recommend it for adults as well. Also, it is a book from the UK, but it's not so hard to follow the recipes using Ounces. I mean 1/4 cup is 2 fluid ounces and 1 cup is 8 ounces... go from there. Or invest in a scale, it's the best weigh to bake anyway.

I hated it! I opened it once read through it and closed it forever. There are foods that I have never heard of before, and most everything is measured in grams. That is not how we do thing here in america. Next to the grams were oz. more like it, but, who in their rigfht mind is going to measure food for toddlers by the ounces and have time!! I just wanted something simple like things I can throw together to make my life easier and my kids healthier, you won't find it here. Title is great thats all!

I bought this book to help me provide healthy, fun and good tasting finger foods for my 1 year old. The recipes seem to be geared more for older toddlers, and not for "babies." I expected there to be at least one recipe for babies, since the title indicated as such. I am very disappointed.

Cuando llego el paquete, crei que no venia este libro junto con los demas, pues es muy pequeno, es una guia muy sencilla y creo que en los libros "What to expect when you are expecting" o "Your pregnancy week by week" que son para las futuras madres, hay una explicacion mas completa sobre el accionar de los futuros padres.

When I saw the title I got excited because I live in Mexico and I've looking like crazy a book in Spanish that talks about pregnancy to fathers and I got a little disappointed to see that it was like a brochure. Could you let things like this know to your readers? I didn't like too much to know that it hasn't the information I was looking for.

The facts presented make a great deal of sense. I am surprised that the US government is not looking into the cause of SIDS and taking action like the countries of New Zealand and Australia. The book explains the tragic occurrence and the solutions for prevention are so simple. Every new parent should read this book!

I actually rate this book as absolutely ZERO stars. There is ACCURATE information available!

If you like Jane Seymour and want to know how rich and famous people have twins, buy this book. If you are looking for realistic and practical advice on twins, I'd check out "When You Are Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads: A Complete Resource". Jane Seymour's book was entertaining but did not offer much practical advice for the rest of us. It is basically a narration of her pregnancy, down to the details of how she managed to work on a set while pregnant (she had a personal nurse). The book is entertaining if you are a fan. There are some interesting pictures of her with her twins.

As another reader put it, Jane will never know what it's REALLY like to have twins-most of us can't afford a baby nurse, let alone a nutritionist, personal trainer, chef, etc. She's unbelievable! Do not buy this book unless you want to be depressed.

What a waste! This was more a fictional novel than a book that offered practical advise. I was so looking forward to reading a biography on a real twin pregnancy and was dissappointed to read about a womans "diversion" while being spoilt on set by her lavish lifestyle and "wonderful" husband. Don't buy this book if you really need some practical advise.

Sorry Jane! I know she probably meant well, but let's face it, the majority of us do not have access to her style of living. If you're curious about how the more wealthy people live, go for it. If you're looking for more practical information, you can save money by buying "Multiple Blessings", packed with much more realistic advice and so much more helpful. I have to admit, I did get a good laugh (sarcastically speaking) out of the "can you believe in all our planning we forgot to put a bathtub in the babies bathroom. We immediately hired a contractor to put one in". If only I had that problem!

Jane Seymour will never really know what it is like to raise twins, and therefore can't offer any practical advice. Get a full time nurse?? Get real.

This book was too much to read and too long! For pete sake, we are trying to have a baby, not build a computer. I want a baby girl bad but after several tries of this book that didn't work, I'm going to find an easier way. Amazon, send my money back!
Emily J.

I disagree with the other reviewers. I used this book and followed all of the instructions (no small task!) and had a girl. Maybe it was just luck, but I recommend the book to everyone. The problem is that planning a girl takes a lot of effort - charting, temperature-taking, etc. - but I found the book clear and very easy to use.

OK It wasn't clear. I won't use this. But a word to all other readers -- I've used Shettles twice and it doesn't work! (I have 3 boys).

Not once in his book does he tell ONE success story. He writes about several couples who were in the TRYING stages, but didn't share whether they ended up having a boy or a girl. I'm not sure how much stock I would put into this method... but I've not used it personally, so I guess I don't have a personal testimonial one way or the other.

I have to agree with the other comment on this book. When I bought this book, I also bought the Shettles method book. The Shettles book is a lot clearer and uses scientific evidence, along with actual testimonials, to back up its theories. The author of this book directly contradicts what Dr. Shettles says (which doesn't make sense since Dr. Shettles can prove his theories and this guy cannot)and he offers no proof of his theories. I'm trying for a girl and even though I haven't started yet, I plan to use the Shettles method.

I beg to differ with the previous poor reviews of this book. Byam-Cook does not agree with the airy-fairy idealism of La Leche, and takes a more moderate view. There ARE cases where women can't breastfeed. There ARE situations when it is helpful to bottle feed with expressed milk. Byam-Cook is a strong advocate of breastfeeding, and has helped hundreds of families do so successfully (including mine). I recommend this book highly.

That said, I think the book would be better if it had a great many more pictures and diagrams.

This book makes it easy for breastfeeding moms to give up and not feel guilty about it. If you think you will cop out and want to feel better about yourself, buy this book ...and do what's best for your child.

This book will NOT help you succeed in breastfeeding your baby. It will make you feel better about not breastfeeding though.

DO NOT use this as your breastfeeding manual.

Her strategy which includes reasons for sore nipples, giving bottles, having baby sleep in own crib are all things that can undermine successful breastfeeding.

Also, it has very few pictures which can be helpful when getting started.

This book contains information that is SO INACCURATE that the author should be put on notice to write about other subjects and leave breastfeeding to the experts like La Leche League, Dr. Sears or Jack Newman. Her errors and bad advice are too numerous to catalogue and are sure to help a new mother FAIL at breastfeeding. So, if you really don't want to be successful at breastfeeding, then read this book. Otherwise, read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League, The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. William Sears or the new Ultimate Book of Breastfeeding Answers by Dr. Jack Newman. All of those are excellent.

I would not recommend this book. It is beautiful with lots of pictures and easy to follow recipes, but the ingredients she uses and ages to introduce certain foods make me feel nervous about everything she says. For instance, at 4 months she says to introduce rice cereal and lots of fruits and veggies (including carrots which aren't safe to make at home at this age) but no oatmeal cereal until 6 months. But at 5 months she says to introduce meats, strawberries and COCOA! Who needs to give chocolate to a 5 month old?! Her recipes for this age include usually 4 ingredients plus formula which, with the minimum recommendation of waiting 2 days between new foods and starting solids no earlier than 4 months, seemed a lot to me. At 6 months she says to introduce peanut butter which if introduced too early can set a child up for lifelong, lifethreatening allergic reactions. My one other difficulty with the book is that the author is English and I was unfamiliar with the names of some of the ingredients--what's a swede?