Customer Reviews

Baby Love: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby's First Year

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love this book, it has answered every question I've had as a new Mum. I have read many baby books who are selling one parenting style or another and end up being very unbalanced but I find Robin Barkers writing gives at least 2 sides of every argument with a balanced perspective. The general style of the book is 'Mother know's best so do what feels right to you, these are some things which you might find to work', Some examples of her writing are:
- Yes, breast-feeding is the best thing for your baby, but if it's not working for you then it's OK to use formula.
- Their are many theories on getting your baby to sleep, scientific studies have not found any evidence that one technique is better than any other, do what feels right for you.
- Baby walkers are responsible for many severe accidents so many parents decide not to use them, there is no evidence that they are good for development but do keep baby entertained. If you do want to use a walker then here is how to do it safely....
I believe this book is the accepted bible of Baby care in Australia (certainly among my group of friends it is), and I think it's fantastic.

My son is now 10 months old and since he was born, Baby Love has been on my living room table for easy quick reference. I have used this book as my "handbook" (as much as there can be one for newborns!). Robin Barker provides practical information on almost every question I have had (and there have been lots!) and presents this information in an easy-to-follow manner. One of the best things about her style is that she does not preach and she acknowledges the realities of being a mom. She presents a variety of options for many situations and allows the reader to make the best choice for them and their baby without adding guilt, which, as moms, we get more than enough of on our own! I truly recommend this book to any mom, but especially first time moms - it really will help you through that first year!

...not that I am the ultimate expert, but I am a first-time mom of a six-week old son and have relied on this book. This is the best baby "manual" on the market. It is much more readable, realistic, accessible, and comprehensive than the traditional "manual," What to Expect the First Year. Robin Barker does not have an agenda, nor does she preach.

Barker writes in a clear and accessible way, and Baby Love is organized in a clear, usable way. Barker also has a good sense of humor (Chapters titles "more about poo"), which makes reading Baby Love not only informative but engaging.

Where was Robin Barker's "Baby Love" when I needed it forty years ago? I found this book in Australia last year and brought several copies home for young friends. They tell me it's the perfect, all-around baby guide and the only one they will need to use. It has a down to earth approach to all the common questions: "What do I do when - - -?" or "What does this mean?" There's a tinge of Australian wit in the answers with an easy to use index. It's a lucky break for American moms that "Baby Love" is finally being published here along with "The Mighty Toddler", Ms. Barker's other "how to" guide.

This book contains everything a parent needs to know about what to do with their new baby. Its comprehensive, well-informed advice is delivered in a down-to-earth, no-nonsense way. Unlike so many other authors of parenting guides, Robin Barker talks to parents without patronising, criticising or having unrealistic expectations. This book is a wonderfully factual, practical and sensible counter to the tonnes of unwanted advice and old wives' tales constantly offered to new parents. I recommend it without hesitation.

As a maternal child health nurse Robin Barker spent years listening to and advising mothers of newborn babies. Baby Love covers every possible question a new mother could ask. Rather than telling you what you must do, she gives options and, importantly, the likely consequences.
The nature of caring for a young baby means scanning the index for immediate explanations, this one's easy to use. You can look up poo, vomiting, temperature, grunting then skip straight to the section. Having Baby Love near by is like having a sensible encouraging and helpful friend with you during what can be a confusing time.

I actually purchased this for a friend. I had used it with my baby who is now six. It is full of simple, practical advice from home long a baby should feed, sleeping tips, crying technique management - you name it.

It's a great reference for all Mums with babies. The follow up is The Mighty Toddler which is also a great book to have.

I first came across this book through an inlaw when my first baby was already four months old or so. As I traversed through snippets and sections of information I wished I had found it earlier.
It is an absolute gold mine of sensible information that provides a framework for decision making in the absense of hands on experience. My second child also benefited from brush ups on stage related information. And during those long sleep deprived days, my sanity benefited from being able to read ahead and see that stages pass.
All the basics are covered - how to know how much a baby should eat at various stages, diet ideas, sleep patterns, building blocks of routines. The lay out of the information makes it user friendly. An excellent index turns it into an essential handbook.

My only regret with this book is that I didn't buy it earlier and that I didn't read it before my baby was born! It is practical, down to earth advice, not wrapped up in opinion and ideologies that have a first time parent in knots. This book recognises that all babies are different and that there is a WIDE range of baby (and mother) behaviours that are totally normal. It was the first of many books that didn't leave me feeling guilty for not being able to live up to some parenting ideology that either my baby or I didn't fit, especially around sleep and crying (what a minefield of guilt that it is!) (I've read everything from for strict routines to attachment parenting). I also like the fact the Robin Barker is a midwife and health professional so her ideas and advice are based on a wide experience and knowledge of babies and mothers in the real world. I will be recommending this book to friends.
I bought this book from Australia and I think that there must be a US and an Australian version which I didn't realise at the time, would have preferred a local version if I'd known.

by far the best book for new mothers, and if you received it as a new mother, you know it's essential for the next time, and the next time... I doubt there is a question a mother couldn't find an answer to here. Perfect gift for a baby shower. Should be compulsory for new mums.