The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Baby's First Year [Kindle Edition]

Megan McGrory Massaro (Author), Miriam J. Katz (Author), Barbara Nicolson (Foreword), Lysa Parker (Foreword)

Book Description

What if the rules of modern motherhood were turned upside down?

The Other Baby Book guides new and expecting mamas on a journey past "shoulds" and "musts," back to the heart of true joy and connection. In this well-researched, yet conversational guide to baby's first year, Massaro and Katz throw off the shackles of profit-driven companies and popular yet potentially harmful baby-rearing practices. Instead, they offer moms simple, frugal, and profound ways to support the mother-baby relationship.

This practical and accessible guide offers...

*compelling research to support a healthy lifestyle for the whole family

*timeless traditions to nurture close mother-baby bonds

*cutting edge commentaries by leading practitioners in each field

*encouraging stories from moms living out these practices

Editorial Reviews

Review

A hip, readable, accurate and supportive book...filled with common, practical, everyday wisdom that unfortunately has become almost obsolete in our medically dominated birthing and pediatrics models. It is a fantastic resource for the new mom who wants to do things a bit out of the box. --Aviva Romm, MD, Certified Professional Midwife, and author of The Natural Pregnancy Book

Megan and Miriam are like your super-savvy BFFs who have pounded the pavement gathering the latest research and practical guidelines, and written it up in a chatty, humorous yet authoritative format that will speak to NPR and TMZ fans alike. --~Marcy Axness, PhD, author of Parenting for Peace



The non-judgmental way The Other Baby Book gently...educates, empowers, and informs parents about all aspects of infant care is remarkable. I am certain that many parents and babies will greatly benefit by the perspectives offered here. --~Dr. James McKenna, Director, Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory, University of Notre Dame and author of Sleeping With Your Baby

About the Author

Megan McGrory Massaro is a freelance writer, and mother to the beautiful Anabella Sofia. Megan earned a BA in English Literature at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. She taught middle and high school English for seven years before transitioning to a full-time writing career. She currently lives in the Boston area with her husband Mark and daughter.

Miriam J. Katz is a work at home mom and professional coach. She lives in Boston, MA with her husband Misha and daughter Dalia. Miriam was certified as a Professional Coach through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She received her BA in Psychology from Clark University, and an MBA with a Certificate in Public and Nonprofit Management from Boston University.

Product Details

• File Size: 385 KB
• Print Length: 230 pages
• Publisher: Full Cup Press (March 18, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007MEYEMM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,346 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #86 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Motherhood
  • #92 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Women's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Much I Didn't Know April 1, 2012

By Stephanie

Format:Paperback

As a birth doula, I have many books on my shelves about childbirth and related topics. However, none of them are like "The Other Baby Book."

This book touches on hot button topics with grace and well-founded research. Katz and Massaro do not try to convince you that their way of parenting is the only way. In fact, they have not always made the same choices for their individual families.

Of course some of the topics, such as the benefits of breastfeeding, came as no surprise. And, although I heard very little about it when my three were growing up, there is more and more talk about co-sleeping and baby-wearing. However, the book also covers topics I've never come across, topics such as elimination communication (recognizing pretty much from the start when your little one has to "go") and baby-led solids (what I consider a wonderful way to introduce solid food to your child).

You may think this is not for you. The ideas may sound too strange and unconventional. But before you disregard this book, I would encourage you to read it and check out the studies cited. You might be surprised and discover a thing or two you'd like to try. At the very least, it will give you some things to think about and perhaps new respect for parents who make different choices for their families.

"The Other Baby Book" truly is a beautiful tribute to family and how to make childrearing a wondrous time for parents and babies alike. The authors don't claim it will always be easy. Let's face it, any of us who have children know there will be challenges along the way. However, when you've finished reading this book, you may be more ready than ever for the grand adventure of raising children....

My children are now grown, ages 22-27, and I wish I'd had this book when they were young. I would have done some things differently.

Upon mentioning I would be glad to write a review, I was sent a PDF copy of the book. It isn't often, I want to rush out and buy a paper copy of an e-book I've read. However, I very much look forward to adding this one to my library. Without a doubt, I will be recommending it to my clients.

Happy Parenting Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing November 30, 2012

By Erica Stanciu

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me start off by saying this book is fantastic. Now I'll address some issues.

1. I don't see a problem with editing. There were maybe three mistakes in the whole book. That's pretty good considering this is a self published book.

2. In no way is the tone rude or disrespectful. I think some women got their feelings hurt because of statements they didn't agree with. Like, "Breastfeeding is better than formula." Scientifically it is but they don't make formula feeding moms feel bad. It's just a fact.

3. This is not a fad. A fad is something that comes and goes. Mothers raised thier children like this for thousands of years and then a fad hit where sleepless nighta became an inconvenience. They explain it better.

Now back to the book. I love that this was written. It was as if the women were reading my mind.

I had my little guy on June 28, 2012. My mom, and every other family member tried to give me advice. I listened but it didn't feel right so I followed my instincts. Since it wasn't what society portrayed as normal I kept most of my parenting ideas a secret. I co-sleep, hold my baby while napping, baby wear, breastfeed, and will never practice cry it out. This book made me feel so much better about my parenting techniques.

This is not a book to make other people feel bad. I think all parents should read it so they understand an alternative point of view. Maybe one day this will be the norm again.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to read on attachment and natural parenting April 10, 2012

By Mike & Shannon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Though there are lots of great attachment and natural parenting resources out there, this book puts it all together in one place and in an easy-to-read, non-threatening, non-judgemental format. Rather than having to pore through volumes on every different topic, parents can get it all in this one book. It has just the right combination of theory/research and the practical advice on how to implement it (along with great respect for the parents' own judgement and intuition). This book is an immensely valuable contribution to families and all of humanity. I have read dozens of books on natural and attachment parenting but this one tops my list as the go-to book for new parents.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There Now Exists ... The Other Baby Book June 18, 2012

By Mrs. H

Format:Paperback

As the second oldest of eight naturally-born children, and the latter half of those born at home, I've absorbed a lot of residual information about birthing, caring for and raising children. Before my pregnancy, I'd never heard of terms like "attachment parenting" or "elimination communication" and I didn't know that such concepts even had names. I didn't know people had such vociferous opinions on things like bottles, pacifiers, strollers, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, separate-room-sleeping, or any other number of child-rearing options.

I was just involved, more or less, in the process of raising my siblings, and assumed, more or less, that the things we did were pretty normal. My mom is an invaluable, treasured resource for all this information! Conversational, wise, with thoughtful information about options, approachable, friendly. Experienced, with stories to back it up, and humble, knowing you will ultimately choose what is right for your family.

We don't all have access to that, though. Not all of us had the experience of seeing child-rearing in action for twenty-four years with younger siblings, with natural, instinctive methods that usually bucked the popular trends. Not all of us have a mom that is willing to share, or with parenting ideas that are similar to our own, or understanding enough to know that we might disagree.

Enter The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Baby's First Year.

This is, first and foremost, a book about instinct.

It is a wealth of information for new mothers. Even if my mom did pass on every word of advice she could think of, I wouldn't be able to remember it all - but it's all stored in this book! (Highlighters at the ready - you will want to mark this bad 'un up!...) Authors Megan Massaro and Miriam Katz have stormed the world of conventional, medical-office parenting with this little guide!

You may have no clue how you are going to raise future (or current!) children. You may have a few vague ideas, but haven't necessarily figured out the ins and outs of what you want. You may not even know that there are options for things that are taken for granted in our current society. You may not know that your built-in parenting instincts are alive, well, and strong, and contain more wisdom than any strange pediatrician or Spock that doesn't know your family! Or, prepared parent that you are, you may even have it All Figured Out!

Regardless of where you are at ... This book will liberate you to operate with instinct. The authors beautifully present child-rearing methods with a variety of options on a number of topics, ranging from breastfeeding to diapering to weaning. Suggestions, choices, and resources will be named - but the reader is never made to feel guilty for choosing their own path. They are only enabled to know that they have the freedom to do so!

Megan and Miriam have done their research and provide the numbers for your reading pleasure. Sound, factual evidence backs up many methods that have historically been instinctive to parents, lending support to your decisions when they seem to go against the grain of modern parenting advice - as many instinctive choices do - and giving you a little cannon-fodder for when relatives question your decisions.

This book is a refreshing, cleansing breath of fresh air when it comes to the world of natural parenting. Instead of offering judgment and criticism, it only contributes information to allow you to make discerning, educated decisions, instead of simply going with a general "flow" because everybody else is. Not everybody has the rebelliousness required to scoff in the face of all modern advice and do what seems natural and right to them - but with this guide at the ready, you will have the courage to make your own independent choices! Parents of all opinions and schools of thought can be brought together to learn from and enjoy this guide to simple parenting.

Chapter topics begin with birth and progress through seven basic aspects of parenting in the first year: touch (nurturing), milk (feeding), sleep, potty (diapering and other options - yes ... other options!), relating (connecting), eating (when solid foods are introduced) and flow - letting go!

I was surprised to see in print many of the nameless, natural choices I had seen my own parents make over the years. I didn't know that these choices had names (who knew holding your kid was a highly-controversial parenting method with clubs and Web forums to back it up!?). But they had to come about as method because, over the years, dispassionate scientific parenting has taken the controls away from parents that were raising their children by instinct and with love. The once-age-old traditions are often forgotten and disallowed, and parents that hold their babies a lot are "bad" because a doctor somewhere said it would prevent the child from being independent.

Pish, posh.

When a parent is allowed to make their own decisions for each child (and with each child, they may be different choices!), wonderful, beautiful things happen. My mom, my primary example in child-rearing, is strong-willed, courageous, and willing to do what she believes in despite public outcry and the strong (and frequently-voiced) disapproval of relatives and acquaintances - but for those of us that don't have such a strong trust in our instincts, this book will provide the encouragement to believe in our God-given ability to parent, raise, and nurture children.

This book does not teach you. It allows you. It does not make decisions for you. It informs you that choices do, in fact, exist.

You may be planning to have kids one day. You may still be in the planning-to-get-married one day stage! Or you may have several precious little ones of your own already. Don't wait around; treat yourself to this wonderful gift and blossom into the role you were created for!

As a bonus - this book, operating outside the realm of big manufacturing companies, will inadvertently allow the new parent to save an awful lot of money. Fully prepared for the arrival of Baby H now, Mr H and I still have only one thing from the big-name Babies store. Who do you think is promoting all of those strange, innovative products (often made from strange, innovative materials with strange reactions to our body chemistry!) that you simply must have? The good folks selling them, of course. Some of the ideas in this book spared me even a few more dimes I was planning to spend, when I learned about other options that were available to me. Curious? I thought you might be!

Mrs H Read more ›