Parenting/Infant how to books?

[EricaW]

Alright, as a new parent to be I'm starting to get a little antsy about taking care of baby once he gets here. I'm going on vacation this week and want to know what books are useful so I can start reading them on the plane rides.

I've heard good things about The Happiest Baby on the Block, what are some other good ones? I'm especially nervous about the baby sleeping since I am a horrible sleeper. I really hope he takes after Dad on that one. :)

[Dennis]

We really liked Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.

[Bev]

There are entirely too many books on the subject! :lol:

Lots of people like What to Expect The First Year as it has a lot of general information.

For sleeping there is The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. I had that but I can't find it. I didn't have much success with it though because I was a shift worker and Mason didn't have a "lovey" so it was hard to implement the routine of it.

If you have some spare time, I'd hit the bookstore and browse around a bit flipping through them to see what you might like. Or order some from the library to see if you might want to own it. :)

[Nichole]

We really liked Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.

I was going to mention this one, too. She has a really good section on recognizing your baby's cues and what they mean.

I also really loved Happiest Baby on the Block. It's especially helpful for colicky babies.

The thing with parenting/baby books, is that you kind of have to take all of them with a grain of salt. They have some helpful tips sometimes, but a lot of times you kind of just have to go with your gut. Once your baby is here, you'll kind of just know what you need to do. If you follow a book too much, you can end up stressing yourself out because babies are never by the book. :lol:

[Trish]

The thing with parenting/baby books, is that you kind of have to take all of them with a grain of salt. They have some helpful tips sometimes, but a lot of times you kind of just have to go with your gut. Once your baby is here, you'll kind of just know what you need to do. If you follow a book too much, you can end up stressing yourself out because babies are never by the book. :lol:I agree :nod: You really will surprise yourself w/how much stuff you just seem to "know" once the baby comes. I know I did :lol:

I also have The Happiest Baby on the Block, but never got through it :blush1:

[Theresa]

The thing with parenting/baby books, is that you kind of have to take all of them with a grain of salt. They have some helpful tips sometimes, but a lot of times you kind of just have to go with your gut. Once your baby is here, you'll kind of just know what you need to do. If you follow a book too much, you can end up stressing yourself out because babies are never by the book. :lol:
ITA! :nod: No book is going to tell you how to take care of YOUR baby 100%. You'll be the mom and you'll know that boy more than anyone! :nod:

Since you are having a boy, I'll suggest Bringing Up Boys by Dr James Dobson. I got a ton out of that when I read it!

[sheila]

I also really loved Happiest Baby on the Block. It's especially helpful for colicky babies.

The thing with parenting/baby books, is that you kind of have to take all of them with a grain of salt. They have some helpful tips sometimes, but a lot of times you kind of just have to go with your gut. Once your baby is here, you'll kind of just know what you need to do. If you follow a book too much, you can end up stressing yourself out because babies are never by the book. :lol:

Totally agree on both points. I read the HBotB for specific reasons and I knew exactly what I wanted out of it. So many of the other more general books only drove me crazy because they all claim to be "right" and they are all completely opposite. Trusting your gut is the best way to go, IMO.

The most useful book for me over the years has been The American Academy of Pediatrics Care and Keeping of your baby birth- age 5. Mostly informational/reference and it was free when I signed up for a baby club at the grocery store.

[EricaW]

The thing with parenting/baby books, is that you kind of have to take all of them with a grain of salt. They have some helpful tips sometimes, but a lot of times you kind of just have to go with your gut. Once your baby is here, you'll kind of just know what you need to do. If you follow a book too much, you can end up stressing yourself out because babies are never by the book. :lol:

This is what I figured. I'm planning on reading a bunch of books for suggestions and then figuring out what works with my little guy.

Thanks for all the responses so far. It looks like I will need to spend some time at the library/amazon. :lol:

[Nichole]

You can always come here. We're a wealth of (probably conflicting :lol: ) info. :lol:

[Amy]

Another vote for HBotB!! Loved it!! The 5 S's worked like a dream for our oldest daughter, but our youngest freaks out (even now at 2) if we do the "shshshshsh" routine. :lol:

For humorous takes on parenting, I recommend Vicki Iovine's series, especially The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy and Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year. :nod: My best friend gave them to me, and I am now rereading the Guide to Toddlerhood. Funny, but oh so true, and helps me feel like I will survive the terrible 2's & 3's.

For baby care, I relied a lot on Dr Sears' Baby Book. There are literally 1000's of parenting books out there, but it's true...go with your gut!! Plus hanging out here helps. :biggrin:

[Trish]

For humorous takes on parenting, I recommend Vicki Iovine's series, especially The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy and Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year. :nod: My best friend gave them to me, and I am now rereading the Guide to Toddlerhood. Funny, but oh so true, and helps me feel like I will survive the terrible 2's & 3's.

YES!! How could I have forgotten these :doh: I've read them all and they are, by far, my favorite books to read about pregnancy and parenthood :nod:

[magoo]

If you read the baby whisperer book, don't follow her information on breastfeeding (if you are planning to breastfeed). She's rather out of date in that respect.

[stass]

This is the owner's manual I used. :up:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316778001/sr=8-1/qid=1147138922/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7287204-0839305?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[Amy]

yup, that's the Dr Sears book I relied on so much!

[Karri]

I loved Dr. Sears "manual" for quick reference :aok: his website www.askdrsears (http://www.askdrsears). , rocks as well!

[Eva]

I highly recommend the Dr' Sears book as well.