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Infants and mothers: Differences in development
This edition includes the pressures on working mothers, the difficult decision of when to return to work, and the excitement of nurturing fathers.
302 pages, Hardcover
First published November 28, 1969
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109 people want to read
About the author
T. Berry Brazelton
79 books31 followersThomas Berry Brazelton was an American pediatrician, author, and the developer of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 13, 2009
Though the book shows its age a bit, the whole is a remarkable narrative about three different infant temperaments, and the effects that these can have on both the babies' families and on the babies' own development. It is unique in its understanding of parents' reactions in particular, with none of the superior tone that is so difficult to tolerate in many books about infant care and development. At the same time, it elucidates many mysteries of infant behavior, and has been a practical benefit.
It was especially interesting for me to read about "the quiet baby"--to see my children reflected there, and to recognize some of the stories I had hear about my own childhood. Though comparing children is, these days, contrary to good advice, this book does a good job of doing so in a way that is no insult to any of the children or parents--it truly seems to delight in all the fascinating differences, without attaching differing values to them. I really enjoyed this thoughtful book.
I have to add, that I only like this book better each time I read it.
It was especially interesting for me to read about "the quiet baby"--to see my children reflected there, and to recognize some of the stories I had hear about my own childhood. Though comparing children is, these days, contrary to good advice, this book does a good job of doing so in a way that is no insult to any of the children or parents--it truly seems to delight in all the fascinating differences, without attaching differing values to them. I really enjoyed this thoughtful book.
I have to add, that I only like this book better each time I read it.
March 21, 2010
I really like T. Berry Brazelton and I can see why he has been such a successful doctor and well known expert in child development. I enjoy reading his words and seeing things from his point of view. He has an inate enthusiasm for what he does and I found that it rubbed off on me as I made my way through this book. I only dissagreed or questioned his opinion on occasion but overall, generally valued what he had to say about raising babies. I liked the premise of this book, the comparing of devlopmental stages and personality types of babies. It was an interesting and fun read.
September 30, 2009
This book was given to me by a colleague who read this when she had her kids nearly 20-30 years ago.... that being said... it still has been a valuable read for me... b/c as a first time parent there are so many insecurities and he definitely allays whats normal and whats not.
SOme of the practices are now a bit dated but the developmental relationship of the mother and infant over time really don't change that much and its been very useful to read.
SOme of the practices are now a bit dated but the developmental relationship of the mother and infant over time really don't change that much and its been very useful to read.
April 1, 2011
This was so helpful to me as a mother of an "active" child (rather than a "quiet" or "average" child). It normalized my experience with my daughter and made me realize that even though she was different from coworkers', friends', and neighbors' babies, she was still normal. I also found Brazelton's next book in the series, "Toddlers and Parents" to be helpful as well.
July 8, 2010
Very dated, but most of it is timeless and interesting
April 29, 2020
Reading this book feels like getting an intimate glimpse into the lives of three families, each with a newborn with vastly different personalities.
March 14, 2015
This is another one of my mom's parenting books. Given that it was published a little over a year before I was born, I have to imagine this is one she read before or just after I was born. It is a little comforting knowing that I'm doing the same thing she was 30 years ago, especially since she's not actually able to be here for my parenting journey.
I do love the idea behind this book. It takes three babies, an average baby, a quiet baby, and an active baby, and let's you see their growth and development broken out each month over their first year. I love that it shows you the milestones to expect, but the way it's written it shouldn't make you feel like you're baby is behind, since the point is to show how different babies can be. It's actually readable, and more like a story, compared to something that just fact after fact.
Not only does it show different types of babies, but different lifestyles as well. One baby is the first child, one is the second, and one is the third. Also one mother goes back to work, while the other two stay home. Again, this helps show the wide range of experiences your child might potentially go through, that wouldn't be as easy to see if it was just one child.
More than following the babies, there's also a good amount given to the mothers. You get inside the mind of each mother so you can see what they're thinking. No mother is perfect either, and there are definitely times where the mother does something less than ideal where the narration comes in to say how it could have been handled better.
The book definitely has a lot going for it, and yet so much of it is outdated it's really hard to enjoy. For example, as each baby leaves the hospital they are handed to the mother in the front seat to hold on the drive home. I realize this must have been normal then, but reading it now, it just screams danger to me. There's others too that I noticed, like putting babies to sleep on their stomachs or starting solid foods around 2 or 3 months. But if these are the ones I noticed, I have to imagine there's others I didn't pick up on. It makes it hard to be able to follow any advice given because it's likely no longer considered safe.
I do wish that this book had been updated more recently, because I think it's a really interesting idea. And while it's hard for me to recommend it as a parenting book, I do think it's interesting to read and see just how much practices have changed in the past 30 years.
I do love the idea behind this book. It takes three babies, an average baby, a quiet baby, and an active baby, and let's you see their growth and development broken out each month over their first year. I love that it shows you the milestones to expect, but the way it's written it shouldn't make you feel like you're baby is behind, since the point is to show how different babies can be. It's actually readable, and more like a story, compared to something that just fact after fact.
Not only does it show different types of babies, but different lifestyles as well. One baby is the first child, one is the second, and one is the third. Also one mother goes back to work, while the other two stay home. Again, this helps show the wide range of experiences your child might potentially go through, that wouldn't be as easy to see if it was just one child.
More than following the babies, there's also a good amount given to the mothers. You get inside the mind of each mother so you can see what they're thinking. No mother is perfect either, and there are definitely times where the mother does something less than ideal where the narration comes in to say how it could have been handled better.
The book definitely has a lot going for it, and yet so much of it is outdated it's really hard to enjoy. For example, as each baby leaves the hospital they are handed to the mother in the front seat to hold on the drive home. I realize this must have been normal then, but reading it now, it just screams danger to me. There's others too that I noticed, like putting babies to sleep on their stomachs or starting solid foods around 2 or 3 months. But if these are the ones I noticed, I have to imagine there's others I didn't pick up on. It makes it hard to be able to follow any advice given because it's likely no longer considered safe.
I do wish that this book had been updated more recently, because I think it's a really interesting idea. And while it's hard for me to recommend it as a parenting book, I do think it's interesting to read and see just how much practices have changed in the past 30 years.
June 12, 2009
My mother gave me the 1969 edition of this book late in my pregnancy: her doctor had recommended it to her while she was pregnant with me. The "retro" feel of the book put me off for a bit, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it chock full of really good information presented in a refreshingly direct, if sometimes clinical, manner. In contrast to the other "what to expect" style books I'd read, "Infants and Mothers" is presented as a set of case studies following three different infants in their first year of life: an average baby, an active baby, and a quiet baby. (While the infants are given names and families, the author admits they are composites based on his extensive research rather than actual individuals.) In addition to monthly milestones, the integration of the child into the existing family structure is explored as is the mother's worries, concerns, and adjustment. The good doctor frequently breaks into the narrative with commentary on the medical / developmental background explaining the infants' behavior, how the mother could have been helped not to worry about certain traits and behaviors, and recommended strategies.
I expect much of the dated information and advice has been edited out of future editions, but I was both amused and fascinated to see how standard practices, baby equipment, and doctor-to-parent language has changed in the last 40 years. I doubt any current book would refer to an fetus as "parasitic," or an infant as a "good specimin." :) Sociological interest aside, though, it was valuable to see how they "used to do it," especially in contrast to our ultra risk-averse infant culture today. Somehow, most of my generation survived despite the lack of mandatory child seats, flimsy plastic bouncy chairs, and being put to sleep on our stomachs! This is encouraging to those inclined to take too seriously the scare tactics of the infant product manufacturers today.
I expect much of the dated information and advice has been edited out of future editions, but I was both amused and fascinated to see how standard practices, baby equipment, and doctor-to-parent language has changed in the last 40 years. I doubt any current book would refer to an fetus as "parasitic," or an infant as a "good specimin." :) Sociological interest aside, though, it was valuable to see how they "used to do it," especially in contrast to our ultra risk-averse infant culture today. Somehow, most of my generation survived despite the lack of mandatory child seats, flimsy plastic bouncy chairs, and being put to sleep on our stomachs! This is encouraging to those inclined to take too seriously the scare tactics of the infant product manufacturers today.
October 1, 2013
I can not recommend this book highly enough. It is, by far, the most helpful baby book I have encountered. I have enjoyed What to Expect, Baby 411, and the Week by Week books, but I also tended to avoid them once my daughter was born. Learning how to mother her made me anxious enough without these books reminding me of where she should be, what she should be doing, what might be wrong with her, and what to do if she wasn't towing the line. By contrast, this book SOOTHED me. I read it cover to cover. It was amazing to realize how normal my experiences - and hers - were. It was helpful in many surprising ways, but never caused me to worry, only to take heart and enjoy this extraordinary journey.
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March 25, 2008While dated, I think there is a lot of very good information. Personally, however, I found the style it was presented to be tedious.
April 8, 2008
I first learned how different babies can be so I just followed with his other writings.
July 7, 2008
Read this 30 years ago. I love T Berry Braxelton!
January 5, 2013
My mum recommended this to me as she used it when we were babies. It's dated and not as easy to use as many of the more recent baby books
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews