The BabyCenter Essential Guide to Your Baby's First Year

by Linda J. Murray, Anna McGrail, Daphne Metland

An incomparable guide to every aspect of caring for an infant during the first year, jam-packed with the expert advice and real-world, mom-to-mom wisdom that makes BabyCenter the world's number-one online parenting resource.

First-time moms and dads all share the same concern: Is my baby happy, healthy, and behaving normally? Through extensive research, the trusted editors at BabyCenter, the world's number-one parenting Web site with more than 4 million visitors a month, have created the ultimate bedside companion for new parents. This book (featuring all new content never before seen on the Web site) draws on nonjudgmental voices of BabyCenter's team of advisors and the experiences of millions of parents to paint a detailed, accurate, and helpful picture of a newborn to 12-month-old. In it you'll find:

-step-by-step guides to the "firsts," including first feeding, first diaper change, first bath, and more

-BabyCenter buzz: helpful advice from BabyCenter moms from all walks of life

-Milestone reality checks: results from BabyCenter's exclusive survey of more than 100,000 parents about what really happens when in their baby's development

-Decision guides: pros and cons of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, cloth vs. disposable diapers, and more

-Just for dads: involved dads find all the help they need to truly co-parent from day one

-essential health guide helps anxious new parents spot and treat the most common illnesses of the first year

Genres: Parenting

466 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2007

Reviews

[Jen Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It was nice to have a physical, hard copy of the basic milestones and tips for first time parents. Much of what was said in it was basic knowledge and common sense, so don't expect an in depth, heavy book with many details. It was a nice, light read that was good to have around during the play times with my child when I needed something that I could be easily pulled away from but would provide a bit of a distraction from banging cups on the coffee table. It's also nice, as a first time mom, to kind of know when to expect certain milestones from my child, like roughly when to expect her to roll over or crawl. Overall, it was a basic, easy to read book that's good for first time parents. Not good for anyone expecting detailed information about infants.

[Nicholas Su · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprehensive manual for each stage of raising babies with guides to each three month block. It's a little wordy as a stage-by-stage guide, but also not the best source for someone who does not have a baby already. The main section I liked was about the different temperaments of babies (i.e. their personality).

[Lauren Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good general guide, but can feel patronizing at times. Still, good and helpful information throughout.

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. It served as a nice introduction to newborn care. It was easy to read with my newborn mommy brain too (that cloudy sensation I had/have due to little sleep after "major surgery.") I didn't keep it out of the library though to read subsequent sections. I bought some better reviewed, more in-depth books like the Sears' "The Baby Book."

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. As a new grandparent, it is a good book to catch up on the changes in child rearing since I had little ones. I find that I can provide more support to my son and daughter-in-law by being better informed on current thoughts of care giving and development.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Specific, concise, and honest about what to expect realistically the first year. Easy to follow and reader-friendly.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, easy read about the general things you need to know and think about as a new mother during the first year of your child's life.

[Kimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gave me a pretty good over view of what to expect, and to help me feel more prepared. I did not like the comments they added from real people. It felt like a bad forum.