If I had to pick one book to recommend to all prospective and new parents, this would be it! An amazing and huge book from AP gurus, William and Martha Sears, The Baby Book is a veritable parenting manual providing parents with information about every aspect of baby care, from newborns to toddlers. Information about bonding with your baby, responding to her cues, breastfeeding, using slings, and sharing sleep with your child. There is also loads of information on development, health, the treatment of illnesses and nutrition. This book would make a wonderful gift for a pregnant friend.

For more specialized information by Bill and Martha Sears:

• Parenting the Fussy Baby and the High-Need Child: Everything You Need to Know - From Birth to Age Five
  
• Nighttime Parenting:
  How to Get Your Baby and Child to Sleep
  

Reader Reviews:

"I got this book a few weeks after my baby was born. It really helped me to see how amazing my daughter was, and to get excited about helping her and watching her grow and develop. The authors include a detailed section on infant development, and give suggestions for parents to help their child's development. This book includes everything you'll need to know about your baby: breastfeeding and feeding solids, attachment parenting, sleeping, illnesses, toilet training, discipline, and more. It is a great reference to have." - Darcee Barnes

" I got this book about 3 weeks after my first son was born. What a life saver!! I swear I don't think I would have made it through those first couple of months without it. I learned so much and was re-assured that what I was doing was the right thing. I give it to all my friends, and I still refer to it now. This is the ULTIMATE baby book!!" - Michelle

by Elizabeth Pantley, William Sears

There are two schools of thought for encouraging babies to sleep through the night: the hotly debated Ferber technique of letting the baby "cry it out," or the grin-and-bear-it solution of getting up from dusk to dawn as often as necessary. If you don't believe in letting your baby cry it out, but desperately want to sleep, there is now a third option, presented in Elizabeth Pantley's sanity-saving book The No-Cry Sleep Solution.

Pantley's successful solution has been tested and proven effective by scores of mothers and their babies from across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Based on her research, Pantley's guide provides you with effective strategies to overcoming naptime and nighttime problems. The No-Cry Sleep Solution offers clearly explained, step-by-step ideas that steer your little ones toward a good night's sleep--all with no crying.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

I think this is a must-read for any parent-to-be or parent. Ms. Small looks at the cultural values that shape parenting styles. This book contrasts the connected, attached parenting styles of non-western cultures to the "hands- off" parenting style that has been strongly advocated in our culture for several generations. Formula feeding with bottles, using baby monitors instead of staying close to your baby at night, using a stroller instead of wearing your baby....all of these things deprive babies of the touch, comfort, reassurance and bonding that all humans need for healthy emotional growth. Easy to read and educational for all parents. Very affirming for parents who already practice AP and mind opening for those who are on the fence.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

This book talks about the different aspects of Attachment Parenting which is also called "instinctual" or "natural" parenting. A wide range of topics are discussed and numerous stories from families who practice attachment parenting are included. A wonderful source of information and support that will help you to create the closest relationship and bond with your child that is possible.

Reader Reviews:

"I found this book to be very warm in its style like a best friend talking to me. I learned about making a birth plan and some very important options that I didn't even know were available to me, like rooming in etc. I also enjoyed the stories of other moms as they described their experiences." - Kathy Peterson

This book discusses not only the history and logic behind sleep sharing, but helps parents understand that children's emotional needs should be met with love, compassion and understanding around the clock. Without stating that there is one right way to raise children, Ms. Thevenin, who is a mother herself, provides support and wonderful information for parents who choose to sleep with their kids, parents who are having sleep "battles" with their baby and parents who think "crying it out" is unacceptable. I would assert that parents (and parents-to-be) who do think letting a baby cry themseves to sleep is acceptable should read this book too.

Reader Reviews:

"I most enjoyed the stories of other families who share sleep with their children. There is also some history on co-sleeping that I found interesting. It's good reading." - Michelle

This book helped me gain confidence in my instincts about my daughter's health. Debunking many commom medical myths and exposing questionable practices and risks in pediatrics, Dr. Mendelsohn provides solid information that helps parents realize the importance of educating themselves about their children's health. The book discusses Dr. Mendelsohn's many years of pediatric practice and his evolution away from the standard treatments/procedures that he now warns against.

I strongly recommend this book for the information on antibiotics, ear infections and ear tubes alone. You'll also find advocacy for homebirth and extended breastfeeding, home treatment and diagnosis of colds and flus, a section on picking the right doctor for your child, information on vaccinations, allergies and much more.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

This book from La Leche League International may be more expensive than other breastfeeding books, but it is the most comprehensive book about breastfeeding that I know of. Recommended for mothers and breastfeeding professionals alike, this is an extensive (almost 600 pages) guide that is crammed full of solutions, tips and guidelines. This book would make a wonderful shower gift for a pregnant friend.

Mothering Magazine, March-April 2003
"From expressing milk to infant weight gain to fertility, this book is a veritable breastfeeding bible."

Reader Reviews: none at this time

By using simple signs, gestures and sounds, you can communicate with your pre-verbal child! The joy of being able to understand the thoughts and needs of your baby/preverbal toddler is extraordinary. For clarification, Baby Signs are usually introduced around 10 months but there is no reason why you can't start earlier. This is not a scheme to push children beyond normal developmental ability - it simply helps parents learn how to "read" non-verbal cues and gestures and teach their babies some new ones. I think that using Baby Signs particularly enhances an attached parenting style by taking the effort to understand your baby's needs and cues a level higher.

Reader Reviews: none at this time