Baby on Board: Understanding Your Baby's Needs in the First Twelve Months

by Howard Chilton

This reassuring medical guide to tackling the first nine months of parenthood discusses important issues that require parental decisions and describes the evolutionary background to the needs of babies. Issues explored include breastfeeding, circumcision, colic, immunization, SIDS, postnatal depression, and sleeping with a baby. Intriguing research into babies' senses and what they can perceive is also presented. The informative and engaging advice throughout will help parents avoid panic and achieve a rewarding relationship with their newborn.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

416 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Julia Tulloh Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great intro to baby's needs & development in the first months- really easy to read, super informative and assuring, very evidence based. Really good for first time parents, allayed many fears and and has heaps of useful advice.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't take much parenting advice from baby books but this book defined our basic rules for my partner and I in comforting a newborn for the first three months otherwise known as the fourth trimester.

When the baby cried, we just had to remember the following:
First, feed the baby.
Second, check the other things (nappy, if the baby is not too hot/cold)
Three: Replicate a womb-like environment! (darkness, white/background noise, swaddling, babywearing etc).

It honestly sounds really simple but this 'rule' worked every time for my partner and I and got us into a really easygoing rhythm from the get-go. There was no clock watching or diaper counting, no anxiety about 'bedtimes', no (god forbid) crying it out or any sleep training techniques. It had lots of information about swaddling (the Germans weren't into it), and safe sleeping (following SIDS guidelines unlike the questionable advice I had here about using blankets on a newborn and the German obsession with cot-bumpers/babynests), and co-sleeping.

I guess the point with these baby books is to read a bunch and find one that speaks to you and your baby's individual needs. If you didn't have a midwife or postpartum doula, this would also be a really handy book to have for the first year of a baby's life as it's full of practical information but written in a way that is very calming to new parents.

[Emily-louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how easy and straight to the point, no mucking around in the writing, saying how it is and extremely useful. I read this late with my first child and just had second and it's helped me so much to refresh!

[Jessica Dercks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good general knowledge book

This is a good overview for new parents who are looking for more information on the first year of a baby’s life. Quick easy read and it is clear the author is knowledgeable.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good light read

[Ngoc Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good for first time mothers who are unsure of what parenting approach they want to adopt, or are conflicted about the various options, confused about advice from friends or family, etc. It allows expectant mothers to understand that their personal instincts can override their mental judgment.

If you have decided on your parenting style and have strong views about how you plan to raise children, this book may not be for you. On the other hand, it may affirm your beliefs.

Written in an accessible way, Chilton uses humour to explain the physiology of babies, and explores how parenting is often instinctual rather than based on studies and extensive research.

[Rachel]

Really enjoyed this book. Very interesting to understand how our ancestors would have looked after babies and how that compares to other animals and therefore what babies actually need. It made me more relaxed about my own parenting instincts. Shame the book from the library smelt so funny though (James complained continuously that it was making the whole living room smelt of air freshener).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really just makes sense! Excellent, balanced and well substantiated information for first time parents, presented simply and with a kind, supportive tone. Will definitely re-read in a few months.

(Emphasis is heavily on the mother though - I think a tweak in language to include Dad a bit more would be good.)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for first time parents! I appreciated that this book was more concise than a lot of parenting books. I wish I read this book while I was pregnant as it would have eased a lot of my immediate postpartum anxieties.

[Trung Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to learn about about your baby! So good, i bought my friends a copy for their baby bump. Recommended to all.

[Anca · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for any parent who wants to stay sane thru early childhood of their offsprings.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful and evidence based. Advises co-sleeping though which I have ignored given the link to SIDS.