The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition)

I'm a working mother of a 2-month-old baby girl, our first child, preparing to return to work. I hesitated in buying this book because (1) I was dubious about Attachment Parenting (AP) and its merits and (2) there were so many negative reviews stating that the book is a major guilt trip for anyone who can't or won't follow the Sears's suggestions to the letter.I absolutely did not find this book to be an attachment parenting manifesto. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised that many of the tenants of the AP movement are in line with my (desired) parenting style rather than some sort of granola/coffee shop socialist/impossible to execute approach to life with a child. The Sears give suggestions for all different scenarios, AP or not. For example, while they do state many times that breast feeding is best, they also give plenty of information about a safe and loving way to bottle feed if you can't or won't breastfeed. Other reviewers said that the book makes them feel that if they're not breastfeeding, sharing the bed, quitting their jobs, and wearing their baby everywhere (including to the bathroom), that they are horrible parents. I did not feel that way at all. The Sears provide different ways of handling feeding, sleeping, and so on, and encourage you to make your own choice. I have done some things that they have suggested, and some not. I breastfeed and waited 2 months before bottle feeding expressed milk. I've tried baby wearing, but I have one of those rare babies who doesn't like to be held a lot who screams her head off when I put her in a sling. So she spends a lot of time in her bouncy seat wherever I am, instead of on me. I did not quit my job, and she will be going into daycare soon. She does not sleep in our bed, as I am terrified of smothering her, and because I need some sleep myself. So she sleeps in a bassinet next to our bed and we're able to attend to her immediately. The Sears were pretty clear about being anti-pacifier and because of that we instructed the hospital not to give her one under any circumstance. After spending several consecutive hours with our fingers/thumbs in her mouth (and I couldn't put her to the breast for hours because of cracked and bleeding nipples), our resolve crumbled and we gave her a pacifier...then ran to the store to buy several more. But I didn't feel the need to throw away the book once we "went against" it.I took the advice of another reviewer and combined this book with Penelope Leach's Your Baby and Child and have found both to be valuable resources.The Sears' overall message (as well as Penelope Leach's) is that you need to be open-minded as a parent, and do what works best for your baby, for you, and your lifestyle. It will be next to impossible to find something that parrots back to you everything you think you should be doing--or want to be doing. Parenting is hard, and it is a learning experience. This book is a good guide (not instruction manual) through that process.

Dr. Sears shares expert information from both a medical standpoint and his and Martha's personal experience of having eight children and now grandchildren. It was spot on with my parenting experiences, as well as many other moms I have met. Even with all the help available online, this book is a great resource and it's easy to find answers quickly. I now give this as a baby present.

I used this book with my first child, then bought the ebook (not a Kindle, so I won't say!), then gave my hard copy to a friend. I then found another copy at the library bargain book sale and bought it for a friend who is pregnant. It's sooooo thorough. I love the Sears' philosophy. Parents should be loving, and do what works for them! But to get an idea of what people go through for their kids -- it's NOT ALWAYS EASY, but you don't become a parent to have an easy life, and you now have a little human who needs you. I think they give a really accurate picture of some of the time and energy it takes, but it will pay off when your child is independent, respectful, and loving. Don't short change your child later by taking shortcuts when they're babies. Yes, you will be sleep-deprived, scared of rolling over on your baby, and maybe people will look at you weird for sleeping with your baby or for nursing your toddler. But do what works for you, and, as they say in the book, say "My doctor says to do it" because Doctor Sears said so! I have no regrets -- nursed my oldest till he was two, shared our bed with him, and now we are doing the same with our second baby. Our oldest is just five and doing so well, so independent and caring!

This book is well-known for being a must-read if you're interested in attachment parenting. Other reviews go into this more. For me, this book has value because it deals with so many aspects of baby care and development. Most books about baby care seem to read like troubleshooting guides -- there's information about day-to-day life, but much space is devoted to the problems that can arise. This book is more like a true owner's manual for a baby. In addition to the ample information about health and nutrition, there are wonderful sections on development, activities, and the long-term arc of your child's growth. This book doesn't just tell you how to meet your baby's needs, but also provides advice for savoring this amazing time. I'm glad I own a copy of this book, because it's not the kind of book you would want to read and then return to the library. It's big, and I find myself referring to it every month or two as my child changes.Some of the very best parts of this book have to do with child development. The basic toys recommended are so useful. The carefully described sequence of events leading up to sitting, crawling, and walking are fascinating. The advice about working with toddlers is very excellent. Also very helpful was the chapter about fussy babies. The attitude taken by the authors, as well as the techniques advised in this chapter, were extremely helpful during my baby's first few months.In terms of the attachment parenting advice, my own opinion is that most of it is solid. We provided our young son with all the nurturing he seemed to want, and he's now a lively and independent toddler. This book provided us with many helpful ideas for tuning into my son's wishes and needs. I think this book is a little too quick to put down the intentions of parents who don't practice Sears methods, which is why I think some parents dismiss this book as guilt-inducing. But this did not stop me from getting a great deal out of the book. I have yet to find a parenting book that I agree with entirely -- I pick and choose ideas, depending on my instincts and my son's needs. Several important aspects of attachment parenting work very well for my family, and so this book is very helpful.

Nowadays we have access to lots of information on the Internet, but it can be overwhelming sometimes. I also think it's good to be able to read things from a book since I find information sticks with me for longer. This very thick book has everything you need to know for the challenging first years. I'm glad I bought it.

I love this book. You can dip and and out of it and find different topics really easily. It is written in an easy to understand way.

Encyclopaedic, that really does summarise this book. Full of practical advice, very down to earth. If you've got a newborn do yourself a favour and buy the update version as an audiobook on your free audible trial- but I'm glad I've got this book to refer back to as well. I've yet to find a British book I've connected with anywhere near as well.

Purchased for pregnant daughter - a great book of useful tips and information. Arrived promptly and well packaged

Life saver. I love this book and still refer to it now (daughter is 2). Other books did not meet the needs that I required for my daughter. I could not let her cry it out etc, I had a baby that need constant attention and this book stopped me from going crazy, thinking that I was spoiling my child. Fantastic book with everything that you need to know.