Customer Reviews

The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Pregnancy and Baby Care

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I use this book more than any of the 25 baby-help books in my book case. The pictures are very helpful, along with recommended baby equipment for feeding, sleeping, layette, etc. When I was in labor at the hospital, my doctor spent his evening in my room reading this book, he thought it was great! Very detailed pictures and information of rashes and illnesses that have been very useful with my one-year old. This is a book that I will always give to first time moms, makes a great baby shower gift.

The very clear pictures make this book absolutely the most useful for first-time mothers. Alongside lists of what to bring to the hospital, for example, are photos of the items needed. Also accompanied by extremely useful photographs are instructions about everything from how to change a diaper, how to clean a girl baby and a boy baby, how to put on baby clothes without hurting the baby, how to give a bath . . . anyone who didn't have little brothers and sisters to practice on and who is a little anxious about baby-care skills will find this book very helpful and reassuring!

I was given this book as a gift when I had my first child in 1991. I have since purchased it as a gift for several of my expectant friends over the years. What it so wonderful about this book is that it takes you from conception to parenthood. Dealing with every aspect along the way. I was still referring it when I went through potty-training my second child in 1999. This has proven to be an excellent resource that has stood the test of time.

I stumbled upon this book at the book store and bought it for the sole reason it had a ton of pictures. I had no clue what I was getting into when I got pregnant and I hoped this book would shed some light. This book was my lifeline; my sole source of "what is happening to my body now". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant and wants to better understand what their body is going through, how to change a diaper, what types of things to pack in your birth bag or even labor positions..

I think this is a wonderful book, especially for women that are getting ready to start a family. If you're like me, pictures help you to get a better idea of what's going on and keeps you focused. This book is chock full of colored pictures and detailed information that just increases your excitement about having a baby.

This pregnancy and childcare book was the best I ever saw and I looked at many books. Primarily because the photographs were excellent. A new parent can tell the difference between chicken pox and diaper rash, just by comparing her child's appearance to the photos. Various methods of nursing or burbing a baby is shown to you not merely explained. Also the photos showed men caring for the baby almost as often as women which is very reassuring to first-time fathers.

I especially liked the matter-of-fact practical information. Many of the baby books I have read are chock full of advice on whether to nurse or whether to let the baby cry, etc. Advice is the one thing new parents get plenty of - from mothers, mothers-in-law, even from complete strangers in grocery stores. A book that shows you how something can be done without telling you whether you should do it is very valuable, especially in the first few months.

This is not a book for parents interested in Attachment Parenting. Statements such as babies cannot be breast-fed immediately after birth, don't allow the baby in your bed, and the gut-wrenching "cry-it-out" philosophy all made me cringe. Beautiful pictures throughout however, showing step-by-step instructions for tasks of daily care (bathing, dressing) as well as excellent first-aid and illness section. However, they show month-by-month pictures of a pregnant woman -- she gains 26 pounds, perfect clear skin, no stretch marks, no cellulite, in short, perfect. Hard to live up to in real life. As a Registered Nurse I would recommend the pictures and health care section, especially for new parents. Very helpful. But don't read the text! The Sears Parenting books are so much better. Trust your instincts!

This is the shower gift I always give! We bought this book with the anticipation of our first child and learned so much. Every page is packed with really useful information about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and new babies. But it doesn't stop there. The childcare, health and safety, and parenting sections are excellent ... in fact, 5 years later, I STILL rely on it for quick research of illnesses (chicken pox this year ... pink eye last year!) and to review safety tips. Excellent pictures and very well written.

I would recommend this book for anyone having a baby or with a small child. It's a great shower gift! The pictures so helpful in determining illness or what's "normal", along with great practical advice.

From pictures showing a real expectant mother every 4 weeks of her pregnancy you get to see (not just read) what to expect. There are easy step-by-step illustrations that cover the very basics of baby care for amatuers and pros alike. My favorite section and the one I use still (my oldest is 7) is the illustrations of illnesses. It is helpful to know what a rash looks like, or to see the suggested positions. The text is easy to follow along. After the first year, when I no longer needed "What to Expect..." this became my bible.