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Baby Love: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby's First Year
by
Expert advice from a registered nurse-midwife helps new parents care for their babies from birth through the first year of life. Filled with wisdom, humor, and expert advice, this comprehensive guide tells new parents exactly what they need to know.
Paperback, 617 pages
Published
May 22nd 2002
by M. Evans and Company
(first published October 7th 1999)
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Community Reviews
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Start your review of Baby Love: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby's First Year
I am the author of this book. I am only giving it one star because this is the US edition published in 2002 and is seriously out of date.
Baby Love was first published in Australia in 1994 and since then I have done 6 editions and many revisions. The last edition was in 2013.
I was persuaded to do a US edition in 2001 a decision I now regret as Baby Love has not sold well in the US. Consequently, this edition keeps being dumped on the Australian market for a cheaper price. I know that many Aust ...more
Baby Love was first published in Australia in 1994 and since then I have done 6 editions and many revisions. The last edition was in 2013.
I was persuaded to do a US edition in 2001 a decision I now regret as Baby Love has not sold well in the US. Consequently, this edition keeps being dumped on the Australian market for a cheaper price. I know that many Aust ...more
A major flaw with this book is that it is not up to date with safety information. For example, it recommends a quilt on an infant's bed, which goes against Sids and Kids advice (http://www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleep...). This means that I would not use the book as my sole resource.
The other thing that that I disliked was the inherent sexism. The author states at the beginning that she will not refer to the parent, but only to the mother, because in her experience dads don't do as much as mums, a ...more
The other thing that that I disliked was the inherent sexism. The author states at the beginning that she will not refer to the parent, but only to the mother, because in her experience dads don't do as much as mums, a ...more
Brilliant. No nonesense straight forward advice. Reminding me of everything I've forgotton.
This book saved our sanity in the first 4 months
we have the fully revised updated version and it is fantastic
we have the fully revised updated version and it is fantastic
This book was an excellent read and reference for the first year of my baby's life. What I liked was that the author tried to make her advice broad and flexible as possible, without being held to any one parenting philosophy, yet she also provided concrete examples of what to do, if you so desired. In particular, I found her meal plans to be useful when trying to figure out what to feed my baby, and also the discussions about sleep. I liked how a lot of advice for specific problems essentially w
...more
I haven’t found the perfect baby book but this is my pick for Australian parents. It has good information regardless of your approach to parenting and I particularly liked the parts on “all the weird things about your baby that you don’t need to worry about because they’re normal” - otherwise I would have worried!
Kept getting sucked in to referring to this one because everyone swears it's the Australian baby bible. But I found it sexist, old-fashioned and outdated. It gave me the sads. Also, it's complete bullshit that baby is not in pain when teething.
The Only baby book I finished
I tried reading a few baby books and found them all so boring.
This one was very good and straight to the point.
I started reading it when my baby was 3 months old and found it very useful, especially around weaning and starting solids.
I tried reading a few baby books and found them all so boring.
This one was very good and straight to the point.
I started reading it when my baby was 3 months old and found it very useful, especially around weaning and starting solids.
This was my bible when my boys were little. So much helpful and gentle information.
NB This review is of the sixth edition published in 2013. I initially started reading an earlier edition published in the US, but switched to this version instead to ensure the information was up to date and relevant to Australia. I would recommend that Australian women make sure they are reading the latest Australian version. This review is also based only on part 1 of the book (covering birth to three months) - I'll certainly be reading the later sections but my baby hasn't arrived yet and I d
...more
I found its book helpful and reassuring to read alongside my baby's development. It gave me strength and courage through the difficult and confusing times, like growth spurts and the afternoon/evening witching hour that some - mine - young babies go through and it reinforced some of my choices and decisions.
The tone was not militant or dogmatic like some (cough Gina Ford) books I'd skimmed and the advice always deferred to what feels right to you and your baby. It was comforting more than instru ...more
The tone was not militant or dogmatic like some (cough Gina Ford) books I'd skimmed and the advice always deferred to what feels right to you and your baby. It was comforting more than instru ...more
Sep 06, 2007
Retna
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
everone who just had a baby
Shelves:
reference
This book is my must-have manual. Pretty comprehensive, although you won't find many pictures in it. Robin Barker is pretty detail oriented and knowing that she is a mid-wive reassures me. You will find everything you need to do step by step, from newborn to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 up to 12 months. Everything from growth development, breastfeeding, milestones, safety, baby appliances to babyfood recipes.
If you've got to read parenting books, then this one is awesome. It is written so that you come away armed with all the info you need to make your own decisions - you're not being told to follow anyone else's ideas of parenting. It is really comprehensive and up-to-date. I have referred to it so many times and continue to do so.
I've found another great parenting manual, if there is such a thing. I found this book very informative and it has a large, comprehensive chapter on breastfeeding. I'm just hopeful that I can use the information next time.
Highly highly recommended - most useful first-time parenting book I have found. Sensible and down-to-earth advice, not pushy or extreme in its philosophies like many other resources. Comprehensive and Australian as well.
There is a reason this book has been around so long and revised so many times. The advice is practical and helpful. Its an easy to read reference book that I think covers just about everything you need to know about your baby.
I read the 6th edition of this book which was excellent and up to date with a lot of useful, non-judgmental information and suggestions. A very well balanced and accessible book on the first 12 months, with a wealth of information.
I am reading the Australian 2007? edition and love it. such calming, practical advice. I only wish there were more pictures. I have the feeling I will 'currently reading' this book for at the next few months 😄
everything you need to know, without being condescending or trying to be too funny. No nonsense advice that will leave you feeling relieved you had it on hand just for reassurance.
Down-to-earth advice and so well-organised!
Aug 18, 2008
Erika
is currently reading it
not sure yet... just getting started
Sep 04, 2010
Kellie
is currently reading it
excellent for first time mums
Feb 13, 2011
Angela Randall
marked it as to-read
Recommended in this article.
...more
Wonderful resource for new parents.
Jul 25, 2011
✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to ✿ ♥ Heather ♥ ✿ by:
Fiona Poot
Shelves:
reference-parenting,
borrowed-from-friend
Very good book that I read ever so slowly as things came up
Aug 16, 2012
Jody
added it
Pragmatic and honest bout the challenges.
Helps you mme decisions, work out whr going on and avoid he Internet opinion overload.
Helps you mme decisions, work out whr going on and avoid he Internet opinion overload.
A wonderful, reassuring, kind and sensible book. It became my refuge in times of panic, or following encounters with extremists of one kind or another. Must read.
Great reference tool.
Love love love this book. It has everything you need to know about a newborn and is flexible with parenting styles.
Brilliant reference guide to have for babys first year. Everything from teething, temperature to starting solids. Answers all those questions that you shouldn't really just google.
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Robin Barker, retired registered nurse, midwife and child and family health nurse, is the author of Australia’s baby care classics, Baby Love and The Mighty Toddler. Close to Home is her first book of fiction.
Robin lives surrounded by her family in Sydney, near a famous beach where she swims out beyond the break several times a week.
Robin lives surrounded by her family in Sydney, near a famous beach where she swims out beyond the break several times a week.
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“It does appear that in some other cultures the work of motherhood is not left entirely up to one person the way it is here, so a baby can be handed around to many relatives, which gives the mother some blessed relief. Our society tends to elevate pregnancy and childbirth to unrealistic romantic heights then leave women on their own to struggle with the task, making them wonder what they are doing wrong when at times it all seems too much.”
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“Can you arrange help with the housework? Can you pay someone for a while? What about asking one of your relatives who keeps burbling on about ‘wind’ to do the shopping or the dishes or something practical instead? Can you put in some earphones and let your baby cry while you clean up? You will feel much better, and chances are your baby is going to cry anyway whether you walk the floor with her or clean the house. If you can restore order you will feel better, more in control and she may go to sleep.”
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