I really, really enjoyed this book. The author takes an evidence-based approach to evaluating all of the "conventional wisdom" that is dispensed to exI really, really enjoyed this book. The author takes an evidence-based approach to evaluating all of the "conventional wisdom" that is dispensed to expecting parents. She finds that some of that wisdom is well founded, some of it is based on shaky or out-dated evidence, and some of it is just plain wrong. What I appreciate most about this book is that the author is not prescriptive; she simply provides you with a survey of the evidence that exists for each topic and leaves it up to you to decide what is best for you and your family....more
Another good, evidence-based book for new parents. The authors do a good job of conveying the current state of scientific research on an extensive setAnother good, evidence-based book for new parents. The authors do a good job of conveying the current state of scientific research on an extensive set of topics and then, without being prescriptive, relay what they did with each of their children. I especially appreciated that personal touch as it made real how even the most informed of parents might make different decisions based on practical necessity - and based on the temperament of each child.
There is also a good overview at the end of how to assess the scientific validity of different recommendations. Highly recommended....more
I had a hard time getting into this book as it started off with a lot of OHNOIFYOURENOTCAREFULYOURBABYCOULDSUFFER fear mongering that is nearly ubiquiI had a hard time getting into this book as it started off with a lot of OHNOIFYOURENOTCAREFULYOURBABYCOULDSUFFER fear mongering that is nearly ubiquitous in baby books. I think it's a technique to get readers interested in reading the rest of the book but I'm not a fan.
Fortunately my OCD motivated me to complete what I started and I'm really glad I did. Once you get past the dire warnings phase, this book is pretty good! Each section essentially comes in three parts:
1. the basic anatomy/physiology/neurology of a particular neural pathway (e.g. eyesight or speech) 2. how and when that neural pathway develops in growing humans - both in utero and post partem 3. what parents can do to support that development
Even though I'm trying to power through baby books as quickly as possible right now, I found myself really taking my time with this one because the biology is just so fascinating. Highly recommended for those who are interested in the underlying machinations of human development and how we are essentially born prematurely then self program based on environmental cues. If you're really just interested in what it all means for parents, Brain Rules for Baby is probably more your speed. I would have given this five stars if not for the first few sections....more
This is a decent, comprehensive guide to pregnancy. It's a little bit dated but its core of evidence-based information, structured chronologically, isThis is a decent, comprehensive guide to pregnancy. It's a little bit dated but its core of evidence-based information, structured chronologically, is a helpful resource for new parents-to-be....more
This book was pretty good. It's a bit heavy on the "pop" of pop science but generally provides well reasoned advice rooted in referenced research for This book was pretty good. It's a bit heavy on the "pop" of pop science but generally provides well reasoned advice rooted in referenced research for encouraging good brain development in a child. Probably the most helpful feature of the book is calling out fads and gimmicks that provably don't work or for which there is at most mixed evidence....more
This was a quick, concise book with several useful suggestions for preparing a dog for the arrival of a new baby. It comes with access to some other mThis was a quick, concise book with several useful suggestions for preparing a dog for the arrival of a new baby. It comes with access to some other media (including sounds of a baby crying) to help habituate your canine to new stimuli....more
This book spends most of its 242 pages arguing that the mother's prenatal health has an impact on the baby. Duh? Then it spends a few pages offering sThis book spends most of its 242 pages arguing that the mother's prenatal health has an impact on the baby. Duh? Then it spends a few pages offering such earth-shattering advice as "follow the USDA food pyramid" for nutrition and "get moderate exercise but stop if it makes you bleed." For all but those who are most ignorant when it comes to prenatal health, it is hard to recommend this book. ...more
This book was well intentioned but kind of underwhelming. I can summarize it as follows: 1. Here are ALLLLLLL the reasons that prenatal nutrition matteThis book was well intentioned but kind of underwhelming. I can summarize it as follows: 1. Here are ALLLLLLL the reasons that prenatal nutrition matters. 2. Here are the things you must get and those you must avoid while pregnant (and they're the same as described in pretty much every other prenatal book). 3. Here are some recipes that have those things you need in them and don't have those things you need to avoid. I was hoping for some new insights but it seemed to be the same old prenatal nutrition advice just packaged in a different way....more
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