What to Expect the First Year, Second Ed by Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway, Arlene Eisnberg Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of What to Expect the First Year, Second Ed
Book Review: Standard baby advice with a healthy dose of scaremongering
Summary: 1 Stars
This book places 'rabies' in its section of 'common childhood ailments'. This gives you an idea of its comprehensively scary nature. Yes it covers all the bases, but it will induce worried sleepless nights in its frequent in-depth descriptions of exceedingly rare ailments and conditions.
For a book which has supposedly been re-written for the British market (virtually no rabies in these Isles at all), it seems the UK editor was ignorant of some of the most basic services offered by the NHS. I would recommend a British authored book instead. (Stoppard or even the Haynes Baby manual).
Book Review: A comprehensive and unbieased reference guide for nervous new parents
Summary: 3 Stars
This book definitely comes out top above the others with regards to presenting accurate information in a comprehensive unbiased format. The material it contains is based on a mix of valid anecdotal and research based evidence rather than some zealot type baby gurus overly judgemental opinion (ie GF and TH). I would go so far as to say that rather than triggering feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy in new parents this book goes a long way to alleviating them. Rather than offering up one-sided personal ( and quite frankly dangerous sometimes)opinion it details all the options available to help parents with techniques around feeding, sleeping and playing. It doesn't condemn you if you use tried and tested techniques for helping a newborn to sleep (soothing, rocking) like the other books do. In fact there is a distinct ommission of the first person singular in the book which is a relief!
My only critisisms are the layout is a bit haphazard and all over the place, sometimes you may need to read months which don't apply to you at that particular time. For this reason it's probably a good idea to read and digest the first 3 months before the baby is born so you know you're not going crazy with all those endless trips to the Drs!! The other issue is that it's pro breastfeeding as I think there is a law that you have to be but it can come accross as a bit pushy in this respect. Breastfeeding is great if it works for you and your baby but the hard cold truth is it's v hard work, inadequate milk supply is a distinct reality for quite of few of us and it is restrictive!! For these reasons I think it's important for new Mums to keep an open mind about and not end up an anxious overtired wreck if they find it's not working out!!
Overall I'd strongly reccommend this above all the so called guru "expert" style books as a really helpful reference guide for nervous new parents.
Book Review: Caleb's Mum
Summary: 5 Stars
Great book if 1st timer. The writer seems to know all those questions that you feel stupid asking & has a touch of humour. Just like talking to a friendly mid-wife (are there any?). It covers all the medical questions you will have in regards to allergies & infections, etc that baby could come in contact with. What to look out for, how to deal with them. There is advice about how to deal with situations your bundle of fun creates. I don't think all the advice is sound, but there are some really good ideas & I've really enjoyed getting through the first 10 months with this guide book at my bedside !Book Review: amazing book
Summary: 5 Stars
Any seemingly ridiculous and obscure question I have had so far regarding my new baby has been answered for me in here. This is a must have essential for any new parent. Book Review: This book saved my sanity
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was bought as a present for me, after I'd shunned all literature on pregnancy/baby rearing following an initial foray proved confusing and provided conflicting advice. Initially sceptical, I found 'What to Expect...' well written and well thought out. Rather than scare me stupid, which is what other books did, this book reassured me and provided sound advice and tips, and calmed me down when I thought I was going mad with 'what if' worry. Even my mother ("I have four children and three grandchildren and don't need a book...") thought that this was a great reference manual.
In terms of how to read it: in the first few months I avidly read every word, up two months in advance of my little one's age. As both she and my confidence grew, I found I dipped in and out, rather than holding on to it as a lifeline. Do you have to read the months either side of your baby's age? The answer is the same to this question as it is to 'do baby's develop at differing rates?'. The book does not avoid this point, and emphasises it at the beginning of every chapter. The information on illnesses is good, and does not pretend to be a substitute for seeing a doctor. As an indicator of what to look out for and whether or not you should be concerned, it is great. For this reason, it does cover scary illnesses, but then being a new mum is pretty scary, and 'What to Expect...' tries to be measured and calm, whilst pressing that if you think your baby is ill, however trivial you may think it, then call a doctor. After all, you know your baby better than anyone else, and I haven't yet come across a doctor who didn't say they would rather be called for something that turned out to be nothing, than not called at all.
I'm so glad my friend bought this book for me - it's been a great support. Read it cover to cover, dip in and out, but most of all relax, and enjoy your first year with your baby - if I got through it then anyone can!