, 
, and 
.My overall impression of them is that most of the information I could easily find online, and, with the books, I end up sifting through a lot of FAQs that aren't entirely relevant. Still, I suppose there a good place to start if you find yourself feeling lost as an expecting/new parent, to give you a starting point.
Several friends have also given me books to read through to help deal with challenges that may arise with infants and sleeping.
So far, I really enjoyed, "The No-Cry Sleep Solution, and would highly recommend it. The book is structured well, and I didn't feel as if the author was condescending at all. I liked her emphasis on doing what is best for you, as a parent, giving many options, citing research on what has worked, but really leaving it up to the parents' choice. Further, although anecdotes are included, they are concise, relatable, and formatted so that they don't interrupt the flow of the book. Well done.
On the flip side, I have not been able to make it through, "The Happiest Baby on the Block". The author, a pediatrician, seems well-meaning, but started off on the wrong foot for connecting with me as a reader when he stereotyped the western cultures and the "backward" third world cultures. The first chapter was all build-up, with no real results, directions or conclusions. Perhaps this would have been good to read a few months ago, because I just don't feel like I have the patience to sit through it. Or maybe it is his, "let me tell you a story" style that rubs me the wrong way. I want to get to the point.
Finally, another friend (thank-you so much!!) sent me a box of extremely useful baby-related items, and in it she included a tiny handbook called, "Nursing: the First Two Months: an Excerpt from the Nursing Mother's Companion
". I just recently picked it up - as nursing will soon be upon us! - and have to rave about it. It is compact, highly informative, and no-nonsense. There is a lot of information, but it isn't overwhelming. I may have to wait until after I attempt nursing to fully rate it, but as someone attempting to learn about nursing, I would give it two thumbs up. I'm even tempted to buy the Nursing Mother's Companion, from which it is an excerpt. 
2 comments:
Another book I would recommend is "The Wonder Weeks." Well, I would recommend viewing someone else's copy if possible. It is about developmental leaps that babies go through at predictable times, so you can have an idea of when to expect your baby to go through fussy, sleepless stretches. The reason I say to look at someone else's copy is that the book is quite repetitive after the first chapter. Having a list of the "wonder weeks" and a list of what they are learning in each one and what new activities they will be able to do is very helpful.
Thanks Stephanie! I'll check it out. :) I'm always happy to give a book a try.
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