I have always been a bibliophile, but my attentions have now turned to the plethora of parenting books available. Here's a quick listing of the ones I've read so far. My goal is to provide a mini book review both for your benefit and mine.
Breastfeeding:
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
The bible of breastfeeding activists! More of an encyclopedia then a bedside companion. I got about a third of the way through. La Leche League has the market cornered on pro breastfeeding. If you are considering anything but, you might want to look elsewhere, but it was handy for me. Its also quite dated and makes you feel like you are reliving the 80s in pictures. There have got to be more updated photos of hooters available!
- Breastfeeding - A Parent's Guide by Amy Spangler
If the La
Leche Guild is the bible, this is the cliff notes in pictures. Decent
and brief reference of the breastfeeding basics.
Parenting:
- Heading Home with Your Newborn by Laura Jana and Jennifer Shu
After 9 months of carefully selecting registry items and scouring What To Expect When You Are Expecting, around birthday minus 2 weeks you realize you have no clue what to do once the baby arrives! Enter this book. Its a quick read. Nothing is earth shattering. You realize that you actually would remember to feed, cloth and change your baby. Voila, you are ready to be a parent.
- Your Baby & Child by Penelope Leach
A solid reference book for young children. I like having it as a secondary book due to its blocking by emotional, physical, etc development. Doesn't really get down to specific month age ranges as general development. Don't agree with everything, but think its a pretty good primer.
- Your Baby's First Year by The American Academy of Pediatrics
Free from the Pediatrician alongside the ever present formula cohersion free gift (but doc redeemed himself by telling me to through out the can). I think this is the most practical, somewhat dry, handbook for babies. This is the 'read this chapter first' before calling the doctor's emergency line handbook. I especially like the growth charts in the back to chart my shrimp's progress.
- Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay by Stephanie Wilder Taylor
At my lowest moment, this book helped me keep a sense of humor. It was a gift from our wedding & newborn photographer Sarah Schulte (love!). Clearly at 2 weeks out I looked like I was about to tip toe over the edge of insanity. My mom picked up the book and read the 'Lactose Intolerance' chapter out loud while I was unsuccessfully trying to feed my anorexic baby. The 'Tit Terrorists' and 'Lactivists' had my mother and I crying tears of laughter. Even in these most sleep deprived hours, it had me reading a few pages a night for some humor in my day.
Feeding:
- The Wholesome Baby Food Guide by Maggie Meade
In the works. Will revisit in 1-2 months.
Sleeping:
- Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth
See post on 'Sweet Dreams'. I really like how this book segments sleep habits by month ranges. The little anecdote stories give some examples. And if you are looking for the cliff notes version, the back of each chapter bullets the high points for those mom's reading it at 3am whilst listening to a screaming monitor.
- Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
Sitting on my shelf. Hoping the above book will cure all and I'll never have to read it. Ha, fat chance.