[.ca] Your Baby's First Year Week by Week: Second Edition, ... (ISBN 0738209759)

nervous first time mom:
I went to the bookstore to check out the different baby reference books. I have a couple, but they are only ok. My intention was to purchase the "What to Expect the First Year", but after looking and comparing the two, I chose this book. I am so glad I did. The information is laid out nicely and has a lot of great tips throughout. I was surprised to see some negative reviews because I love this book and it provides me with some confidence and reassurance as a first time mom. If I had read the reviews before I bought this book I wouldn't have purchased it, which would have been a mistake.

Not always the most proper information:
I was very disappointed to see this book take such a neutral position on male infant circumcision. The book, which has as its goal the intention of giving the best medical advice, does not inform readers that male circumcision is not recommended by any medical association in the United States or abroad. Are the writers really doing their best to give the best medical advice to new parents? I don't think so!! The weight categories also did not correlate whatsoever with my child's development.

First Time Mom:
I loved this book not only cuz I thought it was neatly organized and quick easy to read week by week references, but unlike a lot of other books such as "What to Expect First Year", it describes "FUN" things to do with your baby, i.e. games to play, toys may be interested in, how your baby is developing (beyond sickness, and just concerns). The book was not perfectly accurate on amount to feedings when it came to solids but I think in terms of milestones, it was (give take week or so and of course depending on baby) pretty accurate for the avg baby.

Discouraging to the Breastfeeding Mother...:
I bought this book because a pregnant friend requested it as a shower gift. She had enjoyed the pregnancy one from the same authors. Upon leafing through it, I was appalled at the beating breastfeeding took, right off the bat. Oh yes, the book starts off saying all the politically correct things about nursing, like how it's the optimal way to feed, but then the book fell open to "Week 3" and I was shocked. There is a picture of a baby receiving a bottle from his father, and the very first block of text deals with how many mothers give up on nursing, and it is quite okay to give up if things aren't working out, don't feel too guilty. I work with new mothers, and have successfully nursed three kids. At three weeks postpartum, most moms are still learning how breastfeeding works. The three week mark also often brings the first growth spurt, and mothers who aren't aware of this often feel that they don't have enough milk, or something is wrong. It's a key time for a mother to doubt herself, especially a first time Mom. This book is setting vulnerable mothers up for failure. Another thing that bothered me was the statement on p.52 that a nursing mother couldn't get new carpeting because the toxins would pass into her milk and harm her baby. So how is a formula fed infant in a house with new carpet exempt from breathing these chemicals? Formula IS flawed, that is a scientific fact. It contains no immunity, the wrong amounts of important vitamins and minerals, and is from the WRONG SPECIES. No crushed glass has ever found it's way accidentally into breastmilk! Breastfeeding is so important,not just in infancy, but all through life, and the way this book was written will contribute to the demise of many shaky breastfeeding relationships. Shame on the authors. Buy The Baby Book from Dr. Sears, or The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by LLLI if you want a book that will help you troubleshoot your breastfeeding issues, rather than not-so-subtly encourage you to give up.

Buy "The Baby Book" (Sears) instead!:
Really quick... Do yourself a favor & leave this book on the shelf! I was so freaked out that my baby was behind on development! It really had me scared. "The Baby Book" is right on and sooooo "instinct friendly" :O)