Even though my childbirth classes were not particularly useful, I did learn one very important thing from my teacher. Buy "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears. I did, and I'm so glad.

Dr. William Sears, and his wife, Martha Sears (a nurse) are parents of eight children (one adopted). That in itself, to me, makes them experts in baby-rearing. Dr. Sears's pediatric practice makes him that much more credible.

The Sears's approach to child-rearing is instinctive and natural. Instead of gadgets to entertain, rock, and comfort your baby, they advocate something simple, yet, in our convenience-hungry and technologically-obsessed time, radical. Humans should comfort human babies. Let me repeat that...humans should comfort human babies. They even go a step farther: parents should comfort their babies. Not nannies, not day care workers, not baby swings, not vibrating bouncy chairs. Parents.

This book strongly advocates several methods of parenting that are grouped into what is commonly called "Attachment Parenting." The center principle of attachment parenting (often called A.P.) is that the baby's needs and wants are one and the same, and should be attended to as quickly as possible. This means picking up baby when she cries, feeding baby (preferably by breast) when he's hungry, and holding baby more than not. Slingwearing, co-sleeping, and extended (beyond one year) breastfeeding are among the suggested parenting techniques in "The Baby Book."

Beyond the philosophical recommendations, however, is a great resource in child development, age-appropriate playthings, and infant nutrition. In everyday language, Dr. Sears (aided in sidebars by his wife) suggests appropriate (and generally inexpensive and low-tech) toys for three-month-olds, good first solid foods, and diapering tips. There is an excellent chart of typical age milestones, not only gross motor skills, but cognitive, social, and verbal skills are listed with approximate ages of mastery.

Baby's health is extensively discussed, as well, with a long chapter on illnesses, injuries, and emergencies. It is easy to find an answer to your questions about health concerns (this book was a life-saver, or at least a trip-to-the-hospital saver when my son was burned by hot tea). The chapter on toilet training is also very informative, and contains excellent advice for several different training approaches.

I have recommended this book to many pregnant women in bookstores. I will continue to do so. It is the best book of its type that I have read, and I have no doubt that I will continue to refer to it even if I have as many children as the Sears family does.



Recommended: Yes