Hello, i'm just crashing from the due in january 2010 forum. i was just wondering if any of you mummies could help with any advice on the best books on how to actually look after a baby ?

despite ttc for 2 years, having read every ttc and pregnancy book under the sun i figured that it was about time i actually learned what i am supposed to do when the baby is actually here ! i have no experience whatsoever with babies and i'm even kind of scared to even try to hold someone else's baby (is this really weird ??). so i really need something that will really give me the basics on how to bring up a baby....

what am i letting myself in for ? how can i be so unprepared ? (by the way i'm 30 next year, even though i sound like a very naive teenager !)

many thanks in advance for any help you can give me !

Don't worry I was 33 when I had first and didn't ahve a clue!! If there was a baby manual we'd all be experts!!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b_1_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=waht+to+expect+the+first+year&sprefix=waht+to+expect&sprefix=waht+to+expect

This is a link to a good book which I got - What to expect - the first year. They also do a What to expect - the toddler years, whcih i'm on now

Congrats by the way!!

Claire x

Congrats!
The midwife will give you a book on basic practical stuff. They show you in hospital how to bath baby etc. You can go to pre natal classes. Meet other mummies to be. The things that helped me most were internet, here and places like boots.com. Ladies here are v helpful. Did you have any specific questions. x

thanks for the book tip, i shall have a look at that one !

i do plan on going to the nhs classes, i've just been given a booklet by my midwife to select which ones i want to go to.

one of my initial main issues is probably stupid, but how do people with skinny arms hold babies ? i worry they'll either roll off the outside of my arm or between my arm and body ! i have so many irrational fears when it comes to looking after a real life baby..

xx

When you are holding your own baby in your arms it is very different to holding someone elses. Everything just happens naturally, believe me. You have no need to worry xx

The book that Claire recomended is fantastic. I had it first time round and then managed to loose it, when my 2nd arrived I had to buy another copy as I couldn't manage without it!!
xx

hey hun, just to say dont worry!! my oh had had no contact with babies before ours arrives and he's doing fab!! secind nature i think but the books the other ladies have recommended are good....
however, just wanted to warn you about nhs ante-natal classes....mine were no where near as good as i had hoped/expected and they didn't show us how to bath them either!!
in my opinion they should show you the basics but not in my area - not even winding!!
use this forum but also your MW or health visitor too!! xxx
bon79 & Grace 4 weeks today

I also found the nhs pregnancy book a life saver, it really did have everything in it. Try not to worry though as once your baby is here you will just 'know' what to do, it comes so naturally xxx

I also found the nhs pregnancy book a life saver, it really did have everything in it. Try not to worry though as once your baby is here you will just 'know' what to do, it comes so naturally xxx

thanks for all your messages girls, i really hope you're all right and it does come naturally - i think once the doors are closed and me and hubby are on our own with baby i'll be more confident to learn as i go. i'm really dreading well meaning friends and relatives telling me i'm doing something wrong and how i should do it their way - i'm easily offended !

i can't wait till january (such a long way away !)

xx

I was given a really good babycentre book from a friend who had finished with it. It was from conception through to 6 weeks and it was wonderful, I can't remember the name now and I have passed it along to somebody else too. It was turquoise and by babycentre.

Good Luck!!
x