When a family brings a new baby home, there are many changes. Older siblings may find it hard to understand the needs of the new baby, as well as the demands placed on mom and dad. Based on the attachment-parenting theories of the foremost authorities on parenting and childcare, William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N., this book clearly explains baby's needs. The text emphasizes how siblings can be helpers to both baby and parents, while forging their own relationships with "their baby," and outlines the positive aspects of being an older girl or boy. Here is a warm, insightful book that will help the whole family joyously and lovingly welcome the newest member into their lives.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Appealing picture books written by attachment-parenting advocates. In the first title, the anticipation of a baby is shown as an opportunity for family members to love and support one another. The text, addressed to an older sibling, describes both the changes that the family prepares for and the ways that the baby, growing inside the mother's uterus, might make her feel: hungry, thirsty, and tired. Older brothers and sisters are encouraged to see themselves as competent to contribute at this time. What Baby Needs is a warm look at how life in the family changes to accommodate the needs of a newborn, and the care an infant requires. Both texts are prefaced by notes for adults on what kind of information and experiences might be helpful or appropriate to share with a child. In addition, sets of text bars throughout give parents and youngsters the opportunity to talk more about the issues raised by the simpler text of the books. In each book, the lighthearted, full-color cartoons bring some welcome new images to baby books: breastfeeding, babywearing (including both a dad and a mom with an infant in a baby sling), and the newborn snoozing near the parents' bed in an adjacent co-sleeper. Final pages in both volumes provide interested adults with notes on attachment parenting, including its key components (birth bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, co-sleeping, and belief in the language value of a baby's cry).
Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Kathie Meizner, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase, MD
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Reviewed with William Sears' and Renee Andriani's Baby on the Way.
Ages 5-8. What Baby Needs and it's companion Baby on the Way, presented in an accessible picture-book format, offer children facts and insights about living with a pregnant mother and living with a new baby. The text of each book strikes an informal, yet informative tone, utilizing the knowledge of a doctor and nurse on the writing team. The young audience is addressed in second person, as in this passage from Baby on the Way, "As the baby gets bigger, your mommy's lap gets smaller and smaller. But there's always room for you on your mommy's lap." What Baby Needs is a good choice for parents who take exception (understandably) to books that introduce the new-baby theme in conjunction with sibling rivalry. Instead, the focus is on things like what the older child can do that the baby can't, and how to make friends with the baby. Andriani's brightly colored, cartoon-style illustrations help create the books' upbeat, yet realistic tone. Two appealing books for older siblings, with helpful notes for parents and caregivers. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By LadyoftheIvy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
We've been extremely pleased with this book for preparing for a new baby in the house. I was afraid it would be too much for my 21-month old, but he actually brings it over to have it read to him and sits through the whole thing. He loves this book, and we like the messages it imparts. I'm also extremely pleased that it shows the mother breastfeeding and talks about how baby nurses to get milk "just like you did". Since my oldest only stopped nursing at 18 months, I think that really made a good connection for him. Now that his sister has arrived, he's fascinated when he sees her breastfeeding.
This book has been very popular in our house, and I definitely plan on keeping it around. I would also highly recommend it to others, as it shows and shares a lot of things about what babies are really like and what they need that other books don't. And the little tips on almost every page would be very nice for an older child as well. It has a lot of good tips and such for parents before and after the story as well. Definitely a great book!
This book has been very popular in our house, and I definitely plan on keeping it around. I would also highly recommend it to others, as it shows and shares a lot of things about what babies are really like and what they need that other books don't. And the little tips on almost every page would be very nice for an older child as well. It has a lot of good tips and such for parents before and after the story as well. Definitely a great book!
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When parents bring a new baby home, they usually have an idea of what needs this new life will have. Their new baby will be totally dependent on them. If parents have young children at home, they may not know what the new baby's needs will be. And even if they did, they may feel as though they are no longer needed. How can parents ease their children's fears about the new baby, and help them understand what their new sibling needs?
In the book, "What Baby Needs," from the famous Sear's Children's Library, children will find out exactly what new babies need. The story begins by explaining things that the new baby needs...the same needs that the sibling had. Young children will be reminded of how their parents took care of them when they were babies, and they'll learn what their new role will be in the new baby's life. They will feel comforted knowing that their parents lovingly cared for them, the same way their parents will be caring for their new baby.
There are little sections throughout the book called, "What About Me?" that help siblings understand and realize that they are important too. They provide information on their new role as "big brother" or "big sister," and gives them ideas on ways they can connect with the new baby.
My ParenTime highly recommends "What Baby Needs" - young children will find it very easy to relate to. It also answers many of the questions that they probably have about the new baby's needs and their role in its new life. Young children are sure to enjoy this book. My 6 year old enjoyed this story :-).
In the book, "What Baby Needs," from the famous Sear's Children's Library, children will find out exactly what new babies need. The story begins by explaining things that the new baby needs...the same needs that the sibling had. Young children will be reminded of how their parents took care of them when they were babies, and they'll learn what their new role will be in the new baby's life. They will feel comforted knowing that their parents lovingly cared for them, the same way their parents will be caring for their new baby.
There are little sections throughout the book called, "What About Me?" that help siblings understand and realize that they are important too. They provide information on their new role as "big brother" or "big sister," and gives them ideas on ways they can connect with the new baby.
My ParenTime highly recommends "What Baby Needs" - young children will find it very easy to relate to. It also answers many of the questions that they probably have about the new baby's needs and their role in its new life. Young children are sure to enjoy this book. My 6 year old enjoyed this story :-).
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I love this book! It explains to older siblings why mama always has to nurse the baby, hold the baby, sleep with the baby. It never ever mentions formula even once and it shows many of the tools that parents use that just aren't present in most books. Mommy & Daddy both wear the baby and the baby sleeps in a cosleeper!! The book also contains a lot of great reminders and tips for Mom & Dad to help an older sibling make friends with the baby, and feel important. Makes me want to have another baby just so we would need it in our house!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Best book about new baby that we've found. The reviews are spot on. I was looking for something that showed nursing mom.
Published 12 days ago by Nedda M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helped big sister understand
This helped my 3 year old daughter understand that we were expecting a baby and that the new baby was going to need a lot more attention and help. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Moonyean Newman
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Great book for introducing young children to the changes that they can expect when the family welcomes a new member.
Published 2 months ago by B. Peters
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for Young (2 and under) Children
I didn't find anything that described the age-range that this book is for, but it was certainly not for young children (2 and under). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jay Me
5.0 out of 5 stars
The perfect big sibling book for attatched parents
I bought this book for my almost 3 year old son and he loves it. What I love about it is that it shows(and explains simply) breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and babywearing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by cupckemom410
4.0 out of 5 stars
My 2 1/2 year old only has one complaint about this book...
...she's determined that, not only will we be getting a new baby, but she will also be getting a new ring sling like the one shown in the book! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute
I Bought these for My Sister in law for Christmas. She loved them and They seemed Super cute and comfy.
Published 4 months ago by Alicia R. Horning
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST new baby book of all we purchased
This has been the BEST of all the books we purchased for our three year old to help him understand what to expect when his new baby brother arrives. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Stephanie Tait
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book for Soon-to-be Big Sisters!
My husband and I have three girls, ages 5, 6, and 7, so it's been a while since we've had a baby in the house. Read more
Published 5 months ago by MNee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
I chose this book because it talks about mom breastfeeding and cosleeping, which most new baby books do not. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kristy
