The Best Baby And Child Care Books

Dr William Sears has a whole series of books. The most popular one is called 'The Baby Book'. It is extremely large and comprehensive. You may want to start reading before your baby arrives. It covers caring for your newborn using the attachment parenting method, breastfeeding, developmental milestones, sleeping, first aid and many other useful topics. He has other books that cover more in-depth topics such as breastfeeding, sleep issues and discipline. Dr Sears is noted for having some of the gentlest methods in raising children.

The 'What to Expect' books are another great series. The three authors are all mothers with a clear and calm writing style. 'What to expect the first year' covers baby's first year in a month-by-month format. Each month has sections on areas such as feeding, checkups, concerns and important things to know. There is a second section with more specific topics such as dealing with illnesses, first aid, siblings, safety and many other topics. There is even a section with recipes and home remedies. There are Q&A sections throughout the book. It was just updated to a second edition.

The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes a reference book called 'Caring for your Baby and Young Child, R. E.: Birth to Age 5'. The first half of the book covers parenting, including basic care as well as physical, emotional and social developmental milestones to use as guidelines. The first year is broken down month-by-month. It covers many mainstream parenting theories, but does not go into breastfeeding or co-sleeping. It is the second half of the book where you can find in-depth discussion of illnesses and medical conditions. There is a well-written emergency first-aid section. Illnesses and conditions are discussed with symptoms and suggestions.

Penelope Leach wrote 'Your Baby & Child: From Birth to Age Five (RE)'. She recently updated her classic book to include the latest updates in the field of baby and child care. She recognizes that today's family has different needs and stresses. She discusses each stage a child passes through, from infant to age five. Growth, sleeping, playing and all other issues that relate to a raising a child. She goes into more detail about children's psychological and emotional well-being than other authors do.

There are plenty of other excellent books. If there is a particular area that is of more concern, a book is written about it. Sleeping, breastfeeding, toilet training, high-spiritedness and books for parenting multiples are just a few areas. Ask other parents which books they use or do not. Just remember that you know your child like no one else.