What to Expect the First Year [Hardcover]

Arlene Eisenberg (Author), Heidi Murkoff (Author), Sandee Hathaway B.S.N (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 1994

From the authors of the 9.6-million-copy bestselling What to Expect When You-re Expecting, here is What to Expect the First Year (over 5.6 million copies in print), the most comprehensive guide available on the next phase of parenting newborn care.

Written with the same reassuring, lively authority as What to Expect When You're Expecting, the book is organized for ease of reference, leading nervous parents from month to month, check-up to check-up, even feeding to feeding. The chapters on each month address basic expectations of behavior and growth, as well as special concerns and decisionsófrom finding the perfect pediatrician to getting baby on a sleep-through-the-night schedule to choosing toys, shoes, and diapers. Equally important are the emotional issues a new baby raises for every member of the familyóthese are covered thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Additional chapters cover special subjects such as first aid, traveling with a baby, premature babies, adopted babies, and much more. Winner of the 1994 Parenting "Hall of Fame" Award from Child magazine's Child's Best Parenting Book Award. Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and Better Homes & Gardens Family Book Service.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Is our baby eating enough? Is this much crying normal? How do I know when she is really sick? This hefty, 671-page guide to your baby's first year is brought to you by the creators of the bestselling What to Expect When You're Expecting. The three authors, all mothers themselves, are calm, clear, and encouraging as they tackle the first year of child-rearing, month by month. The easy-to-absorb, chronological format includes sections such as "What Your Baby May Be Doing," "What You Can Expect at This Month's Checkups," "Feeding Your Baby This Month," "What You May Be Concerned About," and "What It's Important to Know."

Part Two addresses special concerns such as illness, first aid do's and don'ts, the low-birthweight baby, the adopted baby, becoming a father, and sibling relationships. You'll also find discussions of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, selecting a physician for the baby, diapers and clothing, safety, and many ways of stimulating the baby's development. The recipes for babies and toddlers in Part Three are useful, as are the recommended home remedies; charts on common childhood illnesses; height and weight; and the thorough index. (A particular strength of the book is the authors' careful attention to diet and nutrition for both mother and baby, incorporating the American Academy of Pediatrics' latest recommendations on infant nutrition.) While some of the authors' perspectives are controversial (such as whether to let your baby "cry it out" or not), this book remains one of the most comprehensive resources for new parents as they toddle through their baby's first year.

From the Back Cover

The comprehensive month-by-month guide that clearly explains everything parents need to know about the first year with a new baby.

Featuring a practical, illustrated Baby Care Primer, a First Aid Guide, and Best-Odds Recipes.

With special sections on the older sibling; selecting the right physician; seasonal concerns and traveling with baby; managing childhood illnesses; and nurturing the adopted baby, the low-birthweight infant, and the baby with specific problems.

"Unquestionably the best book for parents of infants in their first year of life that I have had the pleasure to read." (Morris Green, M.D., Perry W. Lesh Professor of Pediatrics, Indiana University Medical Center)

"This complete, practical, and unique book will help parents prevent or solve the problems of caring for a newborn infant through the first year of life...I love it!" (Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center)

To help you become the best-equipped parents possible, here is a complete first-year manual from the authors of What to Expect When You're Expecting, America's pregnancy bible. Includes thorough information on baby's monthly growth and development, feeding, sleeping habits, infant illnesses, and safety.

Reassuring answers to 12 months of concerns:

-How do I cope with my colicky baby?

-How do I know when my baby is really sick and when I should call a doctor?

-How can I get my baby to sleep through the night?

-When is the best time to wean my baby?

-Why am I still having contractions now that I've delivered?

-When am I going to start feeling like a parent?

-How do I decide when to go back to work?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (January 10, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563058766
• ISBN-13: 978-1563058769
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great reference book, but only YOU know your child best, May 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: What to Expect the First Year (Hardcover)

I was a real doofus when I became a mom at age 38. I didn't know how to change a diaper, give my daughter a bath, or select a wardrobe for her. This book is a great "how to do it" primer for folks like me. HOWEVER, other reviewers echo my thoughts about some of the philosophies contained here. The authors buy into some of the most harmful mindsets of the American culture, such as "children in this country are expected to become independent sooner than in Third World countries." And letting a child cry it out at such a young age probably does more psychological harm than good in the long run. (It's interesting that so many of the "sleep experts" out there didn't use the "cry it out" method on their own kids. Hmmm) So the bottom line is: use what's worth using in this book, but trust your own gut feelings as a parent. Moms have raised kids since the beginning of time without experts. I'd also read Dr. William Sears' work to balance the perspective from this one. Best of luck to all parents out there

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by first time mom!, September 13, 2005

By 

Anna (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What to Expect the First Year (Hardcover)

I found this book to be especially useful in the first few months of my baby's birth. From my exprience these first few months can be quite daunting simply becasue everything is so new. The slightest thing is cause for concern and there were questions all the time. This book provided me answers to all of them. Like the sudden crying bouts in the evening which may not necessarily be attributed to colic (i knew this after reading the entire section on colic - which was an eye opener!) or the spit ups and what to make of them based on their texture. My daughter had blood in her [...] and her [...] were engorged after birth. Of course I thought the worst! The book explained why and that it was perfectly normal. Boy was I relieved!

One night I awoke to find my 2 1/2 month old baby with a stuffed nose and having a hard time breathing. There were some excellent home remedies recommended in this book for such a situation. Of course at the the time I simply called my doctor. But I later found that the same solution offered by my doctor was in the home remedy section of the book. I promptly read all the home remedies suggested.

There is also a wonderful section on breastfeeding, expressing milk, what kind of pump to buy etc. Baby's grandparents really wanted me to feed her water in case she was dehydrated. I needed only to refer them to the relevant page which tells you why it needen't be given.

I found the bits on how to tell if baby is getting enough breastmilk to be most useful too. You can never tell especially if you're feeding on demand.

Just to highlight how comprehensive this book is, it also had some great advice on how to deal with baby's well meaning but overbearing grandparents.

There is also other basic information in this book that alot of parents may take for granted but which can proof to be a nerve wrecking experience to some new parents like how to dress and bathe baby and how to tell if baby is cold or warm. Why baby's sleep seems disturbed. Just stuff that new parents like me are paranoid about!

I also found the book helpful when shopping for a baby car seat. Detailed information was provided.

The tone of this book is also very factual and objective. You are basically fed with all the information and left to make your own choices. For example, I was in a dilemma about whether to give my baby a dummy when she started sucking her thumb and the book gave me the pros and cons. Super! Thats really what you want at the end of the day - to be able to make an informed decision based on the facts and this books provides you with exactly that.

Definetely a must have for any new moms.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very anti-breastfeeding, very anti-cloth diapering., August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What to Expect the First Year (Hardcover)

I was very disappointed in the seemingly anti-breastfeeding attitude in this book. If you plan on breastfeeding, this book is not for you. Also, we have chosen to cloth diaper our son, and this book makes it sound like the worst thing you can do for your child. The only people who will like this book are those that formula feed their babies and diaper them in synthetic diapers.