hi ladies

just realised i know as much as i possibly could about pregnancy and birth but NOTHING about caring for a newborn!

have bought both the Baby Whisperer and the Gina Ford book (the small one!) for an idea of various "theories"
but i'm really looking for a Babies for Dummies sort of manual iykwim
with step-by-step guides with pictures on things like changing nappies, bathing baby, how to hold baby safely etc

current fave from browsing waterstones is Dr Miriam Stoppards' Complete Baby & Childcare
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Baby-Childcare-Everything-First/dp/1405329750/ref=pd_cp_b_1

has anyone bought this? and loved / hated it?

are there any other books that you would call a must-buy for first time mums?

i've been around babies before and held newborns but never changed a nappy - plus i've never had boys in my family so have no idea on how i'm supposed to bath/wash him etc - i know that sounds stupid and i'm sure i'll pick it up as i go but i'd like to do all my reading and "prep" in advance so i at least have a vague idea what i'm doing :lol:

any recommendations welcome

A lot of my friends swear by My Baby Week by Week to tell them what baby should be doing each week. My friend bought her hubby the haynes baby manual- they usually make car manuals and it really is a guide to do anyting practical with baby and they love it! x x

I recommend you set fire to anything written by Gina Ford!

If you email me with your address, I have an excellent large softback book written for first time parents by Miriam Stoppard that's far more digestible than the Complete Guide, you can have it if it will help!

I used 'What to expect-the first year' which I thought was brilliant. Really sensible but had loads of information in it.
xx

I've got What to Expect - the First Year after a friend recommended it. It is very very complete and very long, but I've been reading it on the train to work to make it easier to take it in! Lots of info in there as Bedhead says.

A friend at work lent me a copy of Miriam Stoppard's 'New Babycare' and I have to say I thought much of it was quite patronising and a lot of it didn't inspire any confidence, so I have given it back (the girl I borrowed it from isn't a mum, she bought it when her sister had a baby so that she'd know how to change a nappy!) There was very limited information about reusable nappies and some of it was just rubbish (didn't cover anywhere near the full ranges that are available and the advice on sterilising was contrary to what several independent nappy advisors have told me, AND what the NHS advice is, which is if you put them on a 60 degree wash there is absolutely zero point in sterilising them so no need for 2 big buckets of sterilising fluid as Miriam would have you believe - the fluid is not very environmentally friendly either!!!) Also in the 'Sleep' chapters she says that neither she nor her husband got a full night's sleep for SIX YEARS when they had their children because they were 'sleepless' and she advocates sleeping in the room with the child, never leaving them alone etc etc and I just thought, 'good lordy, you couldn't pay me enough to take advice from you love if that's the result you got'!!!

Anyway, this is my first baby (I'm in Due in June 2010 too) so of course I am happy to confess to being totally ignorant and possibly in for a big shock/wake-up call in June, but quite honestly I wouldn't take advice from Miriam Stoppard on how to get a baby to sleep any more than I would take diet and exercise advice from someone who weighed 15 stone!

Rant over....

I also had What to Expect and I love it...although I wouldnt worry too much. Our boys are the first boys in our family, and hubby had never changed a nappy, but you do just get on with it! Its funny what you know that you didnt think you did!

Gemma, Ryan and Alfie 14 + 6

I've got a couple of Miriam Stoppard books which I'm finding really useful. I would be wary of Gina Ford as she seems to be very strict and routine oriented and makes it sound more like you're dealing with little robots. There was a programme about her contented little baby book on radio 4 last weekend which slated her completely... This is my first baby too and i think while books are great, pre baby arriving, to help give us a bit of confidence, our instincts will kick in once they actually arrive! I hope...!!

Also in the 'Sleep' chapters she says that neither she nor her husband got a full night's sleep for SIX YEARS when they had their children because they were 'sleepless'



I've got two small children (3 1/2 and 18 mths) and I get a full nights sleep every night!!! Maybe I should write a book :lol: :lol:

thanks for the replies ladies

MrsSetters - thanks for the offer - will drop you an email if that's ok

re Gina Ford - i mostly bought her book to see what all the fuss was about - a friend did say that her book was a lifesaver for them but even just glancing over i think it's far too regimented and inflexible - as bad as having no routine at all if your baby doesn't fit in precisely with the schedule

i've kinda come to the conclusion that you have to take every bit of advice and every thing you read with a pinch of salt - then use your common sense and just go with it :\)

Im just g/c from TTC but whenever I buy any books I check out the amazon reviews from people who have bought that book! Will also give you links to other books which people have bought too.

H x