Infants Books

The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child (Sears Parenting Library)

Robert Sears

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 141 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Invaluable Resource 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you are concerned about vaccines - this is the book for you. It is even-handed, thoughtful, and will help you work with your child's pediatrician to come up with a plan that is right for you. Even if you can find a copy of Dr Sears' alternative or selective vaccination schedule online, I highly recommend that you have this book so that you can learn why he has made these alterations to the accepted vaccine schedule. It is harder for a pediatrician to balk at an unconventional idea when they know the parent has "done the research." Well worth the money.

A Must Have for Parents (expecting and current) 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, by Robert W. Sears, M.D.,m F.A.A.P, is the most comprehensive and understandable vaccine book out there. Okay, I confess, I haven't read them all if any...but I can't see how any book could beat this one!

Dr. Sears walks through EVERY vaccine our children receive in their pediatric life-time, and lists out not only each vaccine maker and label, BUT EVERY INGREDIENT. I'm not joking. This book is truly comprehensive in every sense of the term.

He talks about the vaccine side-effects, the frequency of your child actually getting those side-effects, the likelihood of getting that particular illness if your child isn't vaccinated, the dangers in getting the illness (discusses minor to fatal outcomes (if any)), treatment for those who get the disease, why some parents choose not to get the vaccine. and what to consider when traveling. Yeah, as I said, COMPREHENSIVE! There are five chapters at the end of the book that discuss the following topics: "Combination Vaccines, Vaccines for Travel, and Vaccines for Other Special Situations", "Vaccine Safety Research", "Vaccine Side Effects", "Vaccine Ingredients [which talks about why it's in the vaccine and the risks involved with some ingredients]", and "Myths and Questions about Vaccines". Do I need to say it again? Okay, I will...C-O-M-P-R-E-H-E-N-S-I-V-E!!

Ultimately, Dr. Sears leaves you, the reader, with the choice of whether or not to get a certain vaccine--this is a nice change from regular pediatricians who leave you feeling without a choice; however, he does not leave you high and dry in making that choice. Every chapter that discusses a vaccine ends with a section called, "The Way I See It". I found this section to be VERY HELPFUL. It's nice to have a doctor's opinion, whether or not I agree with it--although, I did find myself agreeing with him in nearly every circumstance (I'm a theologian, not a vaccine specialist or a pediatric doctor...at some point, I have to defer to those who know more...whether I like it or not...).

But here is the truly awesome thing about this book: it doesn't end with just a whopping load-full of information that you are left to decipher and figure out...helplessly. The book ends with the chapter: "What Should You Do Now?" Hey, what? Really? You are going to lend me a hand in figuring out what I should do with my child(ren)? Nuh-uh! In this chapter you find the ever helpful ALTERNATE VACCINE SCHEDULE! Yes, I'm yelling. This alternate schedule is awesome and I'm yelling to express my love for it. I haven't used the schedule yet, but I plan to when Baby Jack is born. I can't wait to, once again, swim upstream in the mainstream of Doctors! Oh, boy...and I proclaim that I really don't like conflict. HA HA HA HA!

He even takes the time to address those parents who delay or decline vaccinations. And, he respects them. Yeah, it's true, he's really a doctor. I know, a foreign concept!

Dr. Sears truly addresses every aspect of Vaccines and Vaccinating/Not Vaccinating/Delaying Vaccinating. No stone is left unturned; and, if by chance he couldn't turn it over, he admits it and tells you to check his website (www.TheVaccineBook.com) for updates. He is humble (he admits he doesn't know everything) and loves what he does (he loves children and respects you as the parent). To top it off, as if this book were not awesome enough, Dr. Sears peppers this book with a lot of humor. Who knew vaccines could be fodder for laughter!

I laughed, I learned, and I am all the more better for it. A truly great read (well written) and a must have for all parents currently undergoing the vaccination down-pour of their child's early life!

I highly recommend this book.

The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer

Harvey Karp

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 605 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In perhaps the most important parenting book of the decade, Dr. Harvey Karp reveals an extraordinary treasure sought by parents for centuries --an automatic “off-switch” for their baby’s crying.

No wonder pediatricians across the country are praising him and thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, have turned to him to learn the secrets for making babies happy.

Never again will parents have to stand by helpless and frazzled while their poor baby cries and cries. Dr. Karp has found there IS a remedy for colic. “I share with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history …and I explain exactly how they work.”

In a innovative and thought-provoking reevaluation of early infancy, Dr. Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not fully ready for the world when they are born. Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies as well as improving their sleep and soothing their senses:

·The Missing Fourth Trimester: as odd as it may sound, one of the main reasons babies cry is because they are born three months too soon.

·The Calming Reflex: the automatic reset switch to stop crying of any baby in the first few months of life.

·The 5 “S’s”: the simple steps (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking) that trigger the calming reflex. For centuries, parents have tried these methods only to fail because, as with a knee reflex, the calming reflex only works when it is triggered in precisely the right way. Unlike other books that merely list these techniques Dr. Karp teaches parents exactly how to do them, to guide cranky infants to calm and easy babies to serenity in minutes…and help them sleep longer too.

·The Cuddle Cure: the perfect mix the 5 “S’s” that can soothe even the most colicky of infants.

In the book, Dr. Karp also explains:

What is colic?

Why do most babies get much more upset in the evening?

How can a parent calm a baby--in mere minutes?

Can babies be spoiled?

When should a parent of a crying baby call the doctor?

How can a parent get their baby to sleep a few hours longer?

Even the most loving moms and dads sometimes feel pushed to the breaking point by their infant’s persistent cries. Coming to the rescue, however, Dr. Karp places in the hands of parents, grandparents, and all childcare givers the tools they need to be able to calm their babies almost as easily as…turning off a light.


From the Hardcover edition.

What to Expect the First Year, Second Ed

Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway, Arlene Eisnberg

Amazon Price: $10.85 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Workman Publishing Company Amazon Marketplace: 137 new & used starting at $3.43

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 382 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Is our baby eating enough? Is this much crying normal? How do I know when she is really sick? This hefty, 671-page guide to your baby's first year is brought to you by the creators of the bestselling What to Expect When You're Expecting. The three authors, all mothers themselves, are calm, clear, and encouraging as they tackle the first year of child-rearing, month by month. The easy-to-absorb, chronological format includes sections such as "What Your Baby May Be Doing," "What You Can Expect at This Month's Checkups," "Feeding Your Baby This Month," "What You May Be Concerned About," and "What It's Important to Know."

Part Two addresses special concerns such as illness, first aid do's and don'ts, the low-birthweight baby, the adopted baby, becoming a father, and sibling relationships. You'll also find discussions of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, selecting a physician for the baby, diapers and clothing, safety, and many ways of stimulating the baby's development. The recipes for babies and toddlers in Part Three are useful, as are the recommended home remedies; charts on common childhood illnesses; height and weight; and the thorough index. (A particular strength of the book is the authors' careful attention to diet and nutrition for both mother and baby, incorporating the American Academy of Pediatrics' latest recommendations on infant nutrition.) While some of the authors' perspectives are controversial (such as whether to let your baby "cry it out" or not), this book remains one of the most comprehensive resources for new parents as they toddle through their baby's first year.

On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep (On Becoming. . .)

Gary Ezzo, Robert Bucknam

Amazon Price: $11.16 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Parent-Wise Solutions, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 136 new & used starting at $2.70

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 172 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The infant management concepts presented in this book have found favor with over two million parents and twice as many contented babies. On Becoming Babywise brings hope to the tired and bewildered parents looking for an alternative to sleepless nights and fussy babies. The Babywise Parent Directed Feeding concept has enough structure to bring security and order to your baby's world, yet enough flexibility to give mom freedom to respond to any need at any time. It teaches parents how to lovingly guide their baby's day rather than be guided or enslaved to the infant's unknown needs. The information contained within On Becoming Babywise is loaded with success. Comprehensive breast-feeding follow-up surveys spanning three countries, of mothers using the PDF method verify that as a result of the PDF concepts, 88% breast-feed, compared to the national average of only 54% (from the National Center for Health Statistics). Of these breast-feeding mothers, 80% of them breast-feed exclusively without a formula complement. And while 70% of our mothers are still breast-feeding after six months, the national average encourage to follow demand feeding without any guidelines is only 20%. The mean average time of breast-feeding for PDF moms is 33 1/2 weeks, well above the national average. Over 50% of PDF mothers extend their breast-feeding toward and well into the first year. Added to these statistics is another critical factor. The average breast-fed PDF baby sleeps continuously through night seven to eight hours between weeks seven and nine. Healthy sleep in infants is analogous to healthy growth and development. Find out for yourself why a world of parents and pediatricians utilize the concepts found in On Becoming Babywise.

The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

Elizabeth Pantley, William Sears

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 662 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It was a complete waste of our time, money and sanity. 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I had really high hopes for this book, as it is so highly rated and seems to have helped a lot of parents deal with their childrens' sleep issues. My daughter, now 6 months old, has had trouble getting to sleep almost since birth. She was waking up 9 or 10 times every night and I was bringing her into bed with me just to get a couple of hours of unbroken sleep. By the time my daughter was 3 months old, I was tired, more tired than I've ever been in my life (my older child is a good sleeper), and desperate for a solution. Since I was terrified of the idea of my baby girl crying or being unhappy in any way, I bought Ms. Pantley's book.

Unfortunately, I was almost immediately put off by the author's tone and her approach to teaching her sleep method. She starts the book by basically selling her technique to the reader. The first chapter is peppered with scathing criticism of other sleep methods, glowing reviews from mothers who have successfully tried her method, and some very judgemental commentary about parents who use parenting techniques other than the ones the author herself is selling. As I'd already bought the book, I was a little confused by the author's apparent need to further justify her philosophies. But I was willing to disregard the negativity and try Ms. Pantley's sleep program.

The basic principles in the book are valid. The research outlines views shared by respected sleep experts including Drs. Sears and Ferber. Certain ideas in the book, especially the establishment of a concrete bedtime and a bedtime routine are very good, and are echoed by many other experts. However, the corrective measures that Ms. Pantley presents were impractical, overly passive and generally ineffective for my daughter.

I spent 3 months obsessively tracking the baby's sleep habits, making sleep plans, repeating my key words and phrases, and repeatedly attempting to progress from one phase to the next with no success. All the while my daytime life suffered immensely as I struggled to function on a few hours of broken sleep. Not only did I see no improvement, it seemed like my daughter's sleep problems actually got worse. Toward the end of my experience with the No-Cry Sleep Solution, she wouldn't stay in her crib more than 20 minutes at a time. She had learned that her cries would summon me promptly (the author insists that the parent must respond to the child's cries immediately) and that I would mommmy her back to sleep. My frustration was compounded by the fact that the author insists that any lack of progress can only be a result of some mistake or oversight on the part of the parent.

Ms. Pantley promises that there will be improvement, but constantly redefines what she means by "improvement," stating that "sleep through the night" simply means that the child will sleep for 5 consecutive hours sometime during the night. She frequently states that any positive change in the child's sleep habits, no matter how insignificant, should be taken as a great success. She constantly reminds the parent to be patient, but seems almost apologetic that her program is so lengthy. I have trouble putting faith in a so-called solution when its creator feels the need to constantly justify it.

I know some parents have had success with this program. I am very happy for them. Maybe my child is simply more stubborn than other children, or maybe she learns differently. Either way, the author's insistence that her methods will work on every child no matter what and that failure is always a result of the parents' wrongdoing finally put me off this book for good. I gave the program 3 months of my life and have nothing to show for it. I could not, in good conscience, continue to put my family through that nightmare. My baby needs her sleep even more than I do and it just wasn't healthy to continue to let her wake up 8 or more times during the night. I turned to another sleep program that, admittedly, involves some crying (though it is not a true "cry-it-out" method by any means) and am having great success.

I wish anyone who's considering trying this method the best of luck, but I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Editorial Review:

A breakthrough approach that offers hope to exhausted parents looking for gentle ways to help their baby sleep without the heart-wrenching tears. Until now the only two ways to deal with sleepless nights were to let your baby cry herself to sleep or to become a sleep-deprived martyr and tough it out from dusk until dawn. The No-Cry Sleep Solution will show you how it is entirely possible and within your grasp to help your baby fall asleep peacefully--and stay asleep all night long.

Baby 411, Third Edition: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year (Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year)

Denise Fields, Ari Brown

Amazon Price: $10.36 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Windsor Peak Press Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $6.35

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Baby 411 Great! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is awesome, have an issue, go to the section to find the answers!

Informative, Well-Balanced, Straight to the Point, & Entertaining 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I should have bought this book when I realized how incredible "Baby Bargains" was. I waited until my daughter was 4 months old before I bought this book and I wish that I had not waited so long. I will be giving this to everyone that I know that is expecting moving forward.

This is very well-written. There is a wide variety of information that is up-to-date and straight-forward. It offers balanced information on hot topics without getting caught up in emotion. Too often author's of baby books get caught up in the political hype. However, if you are ever in doubt with anything regarding your child- check with your pediatrician.

There is so much unnecessary "stuff" out there for new parents that it can be overwhelming. Marketers of baby items often times prey on the vulnerability of new parents. This author does not do that. In my opinion, the reviewers who thought that this author has a hidden agenda are clouded by their own agendas. This book offers parents easy to read information so that you can make the best decisions for you and your family.
This is a must have for any parent who wants straight forward advice. I can't wait to read the follow-up book.

Editorial Review:

Dr. Spock meets Judge Judy--finally a parenting book that separates fact from fiction. What if you could bottle the wisdom of all those parents who've come before you...and combine them with the sold medical advice from an award-winning pediatrician? Baby 411 is the answer.

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

Tracy Hogg, Melinda Blau

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Ballantine Books Amazon Marketplace: 61 new & used starting at $3.68

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 578 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The last thing new parents can find time for is quiet reading, so many helpful books on infant care rely on bullet points and a "let's get to the point" writing style. Tracy Hogg, a neonatal nurse, teacher, and mother of two, uses these techniques to good effect in Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Focusing on newborns and their parents, her simple programs are a blend of intelligent intuition and methods based on years of experience. The first half of the book is devoted to E.A.S.Y--her name for creating a structured daily routine for you and your baby that makes the most of your baby's awake times and also leaves time just for you. These concepts aren't designed to force your bundle of joy into not following her body's needs, but rather to create a feasible middle ground between total rigidity and on-demand food and sleep (and no time for mom to shower). If it still strikes you as too regimented, keep reading. The author makes room for differences in personal style and includes short quizzes to determine whether you're a "planner" or a "winger", and what level of daily structure you are likely to find helpful. In the same chapter, she identifies five general temperaments of infants, how to get an accurate feel for yours, and what methods of care are likely to be the most effective for his temperament. Her statement that babies prefer routine is backed up by research from the University of Denver. While most of the book relies on anecdotes to get the points across, Hogg does find room to back up some of her statements with quotes from various researchers and institutions. Included at the end of the book are assurances that E.A.S.Y. can be followed even with a colicky baby or one who's been ruling the roost for the first few months. Frustrated parents might like to read the last page first: "all the baby-whispering advice in the world is useless unless you're having a good time being a parent" is an excellent reminder to enjoy this time with all of its ups and downs. --Jill Lightner

Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

Laura A. Jana, Jennifer Shu

Amazon Price: $10.85 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: American Academy Of Pediatrics Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $7.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 48 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Only Book You Need 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I read half a dozen books before I had my first baby, and now that I'm expecting baby number two I realize that this is simply the only book I needed. Easy to read, very informative and it covers everything you need to know. It leaves you with a lot of confidence and enthusiasm about bringing your newborn home - it even approached the mysteries of breast feeding in a practical and non threatening way. GREAT BOOOK - super gift for someone expecting!

Editorial Review:

This comprehensive guide for new parents finding themselves overwhelmed dealing with the reality of parenting provides "parent-tested, pediatrician-approved" advice to allay their fears. Written in a compassionate yet authoritative tone by two moms who are also pediatricians, this guide covers a wealth of topics that often prove daunting in the first eight weeks of a child's life. Starting with "Into the Mouths of Babes" (the trials of breastfeeding) and "What Comes in Must Come Out" (a discussion of "pee and poop") and moving on through "Fever: Trial by Fire" and "Seeing Yellow: Jaundice," this guide offers sound advice that will enable parents to feel confident about their parenting skills. Hints on daily living, sleep patterns, crying, the art and science of diapering, and traveling with a newborn are also provided.

Your Baby's First Year (Second Edition)

American Academy Of Pediatrics

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

With more than 2,000,000 copies in print, here is state-of-the-art advice you can trust from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the organization that represents the nation’s finest pediatricians. The second edition of Your Baby’s First Year is the essential guide to all aspects of infant care. Here, in an easy-to-use format, you’ll find:
• A month-to-month guide to your baby’s first year that lets
you know what to expect in terms of growth, behavior,
and development
• A complete health encyclopedia, plus detailed instructions
for coping with emergency medical situations
• Information about vaccine safety and schedules for
immunizations and health-care visits
• Complete information on breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and
introducing solids
• Suggestions for choosing quality child care–and ways to
ease your baby’s introduction to a sitter
• Safety points for grandparents to keep in mind, both inside
and outside the home
• Poison prevention, infant CPR and choking instruction, general
first-aid care
• Safety checks for home and car, including a car safety seat
shopping guide
Your Baby’s First Year is the indispensable guide to infant care for all parents who want to provide the very best care for their baby–from a source they can safely trust.

On Becoming Baby Wise: Book II (Parenting Your Pretoddler Five to Fifteen Months)

Gary Ezzo, Robert Bucknam

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 147 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

It's reality-check time! You are at least five months into your tour of parenting duty by now. The complexity of child-training has begun to come into focus. You have learned that as your baby matures both constant and variable factors continually influence his or her development. What behaviors can and should you expect from your pretoddler? Feeding time for your pretoddler, for example, is now more than a response controlled by a sucking reflex. For the pretoddler, mealtime is part of a very complex, conscious interaction between what the child does and what his parents expect him to do. Right and wrong conduct will be encouraged, discouraged, and guided when necessary. In fact, right and wrong patterns of behavior will now be part of your baby's entire day. That's why feeding time, waketime and sleeptime provide wonderful opportunities for training and Babywise Book II will guide you all the way, from the high chair to playpen, from the living room to the back yard. This series teaches the practical side of introducing solids food, managing mealtimes, nap transitions, traveling with your infant, setting reasonable limits while encourage healthy exploration and much more. You will learn how to teach your child to use sign language for basic needs, a tool proven to help stimulate cognitive growth and advance communication. Apply the principles and your friends and relatives will be amazed at the alertness, contentedness and happy disposition of your baby