Newborn / First Year Books for a total newb

[mosdub]

Hey!  

H expressed to me that he feels scared of a newborn because he has absolutely no idea what to do.  He mentioned that he would appreciate a book, and quite honestly I need to read one too.  I'm pretty knowledgeable on parenting/discipline techniques but this newborn/baby thing is scary and new! 

I'm looking on amazon and I see positive and negative reviews for a lot and would rather hone in on 1 or 2 books. 

Please, all the advice on which books you think are the most informative and helpful! 

[agm04]

I really enjoyed The Happiest Baby on the Block for help understanding newborns and their needs. The First 3 Years of Life was good for understanding how they develop as they get older, and what types of toys are best for each age group. I especially like that the toy recommendations are minimal and straightforward. Just my 2 cents!

[marshian]

I'd also love recommendations! Can I expand this to pregnancy books as well? I have What To Expect, but were there any others people really liked?

[marshian]

Oct 21, 2016 8:35:28 GMT -5 W said:

Oct 21, 2016 8:28:36 GMT -5 marshian said:

I'd also love recommendations! Can I expand this to pregnancy books as well? I have What To Expect, but were there any others people really liked?

this is what I use and it's amazing. It's fact based, so no anecdotal evidence or personal stories. It has amazing detailed pictures.

The Pregnancy Encyclopedia www.amazon.com/dp/1465443789/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VLHcybYGJBQ8H

Thanks! My husband was not impressed with the pictures in What To Expect (he's a physician) or the sort-of silly commentary. This might be right up his alley.

[bazinga]

marshian, the Mayo guide to a Healthy pregnancy is also a good no nonsense option.

mosdub, I second Happiest Baby on the Block to get you through 4th tri. I also liked What to Expect the first year. I had a very old uk version which was a little outdated. I just ordered a new copy for this time around as I fear I've forgotten alot about the first few months!

[hpnegirl]

Happiest baby is good. I didn't like any of the WTE books, too much fear mongering for my liking. Brain Rules for babies is another, and definitely the Wonder Weeks

[amandamh2]

+1 to Happiest Baby on the Block. So great for the first few months, especially for DH who had virtually no baby experience.

Overall I like What to Expect the First Year (I also have the Second Year now that DS is older). Mostly I like them for the development section that says month by month "most babies will be able to... some babies will be able to... a few babies will be able to, etc." There are definitely some over the top blanket statements I just rolled my eyes at and ignored.

[ThankfulSnail]

I have no recommendations for books about babies (I hade what to expect: baby's first year and never cracked it open) but I read The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy and really liked it. I liked that it was more conversational and less dry than WTE so it may not be up the alley of some here who have said they prefer more of a science-y, less anecdotal approach.

[mosdub]

Oct 21, 2016 9:32:45 GMT -5 @justinslovo said:

Would he be open to a class? H and I went to the hospital for a baby basics and infant cpr class. Some of it was super basic, but I know we both felt better after it.

I think our insurance covers some classes at the hospital and he's open to it.   That will probably be more of a 3rd tri thing.

[agm04]

marshian I came back to recommend Expecting Better, so I second the rec from ugaqueencity

[silvermelody]

Thirding Girlfriend's Guide, it was fun but also gave me a pretty good idea what to expect.

For baby books, my friend gave us her copy of The Baby Owner's Manual  It is both tongue-in-cheek but simple to read and actually has legit advice in it. It would be a good reference for people who are not big readers.

Other than that, just being in parenting groups like this one or my local ones on facebook gave me a pretty good idea of what is normal and what is not.

[penguin129]

I had Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and liked it so much I bought their guide for baby's first year.

[Ray]

We have what to expect the first year and A Commando Dad's guide to newborns but if YH doesn't like funny he probably won't like that lol

[cheezee]

I really liked the wonder weeks. It was freakishly accurate for us. They have a pretty good app too.

[BabyStandish]

I'm team no books lol. I tried reading one, but then I got upset because we are rule breakers and found the books too preachy. I did like Mayo's book for pregnancy. And +1 on the wonder weeks. I never got the book, but found a guide online somewhere.

[emilie]

Someone gave me the Baby 411 book and it is great. It is an easy reference rather than a read cover-to-cover book.

[Deleted]

I really liked what to expect the first year. I also read happiest baby on the block but that's not my first recommendation. My favorite book is healthy sleep habits healthy child. It tells you the science behind sleep and really helped us get on a baby lead routine when baby is old enough to sleep more without eating every few hours.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2016 20:32:51 GMT -5 cheezee said:

I really liked the wonder weeks. It was freakishly accurate for us. They have a pretty good app too.

+1 I only had the app but it was so helpful! My DD is actually on her last leap now.