Amazon.com
The role of birth partner is a tough one. A birth partner may be expected to help a laboring woman make decisions and help her get through the pain and discomfort of childbirth. During this high-intensity time, the birth partner--whether father, partner, or friend--needs a book that can give thorough information for studying ahead of time, yet can be easily referenced in an emergency or for quick answers during labor and delivery. The Birth Partner fills both needs.
Penny Simkin, P.T. (Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn) has written a clear, informative guide that includes a thorough description of everything a birth partner can expect. For a quick brush-up, or for sudden emergency situations where a birth partner is thrust into the role unprepared, the book also provides vital information and emergency tips that are clearly marked on pages with darkened edges. Every section includes a description of a stage of labor or circumstance, a description of what the caregiver (doctor, nurse or midwife) might do, and suggestions about what the birth partner's role should be.
The different sections include preparing for the birth, helping labor begin (in certain situations this is necessary), early labor , the stages of labor, strategies for special situations, the medical side of childbirth, and ways to assist after the birth. Of special note is a clear chart describing various drugs, their desired effects and secondary reactions, and the stages of labor in which each of them may be appropriate.
Book Description
Definitive guide for preparing to help a woman through childbirth, and the essential manual to have at hand during the event.
Customer Reviews:
A must-have for a nervous husband!.......2007-09-25
This is our first pregnancy, and my husband is honestly more nervous than me! Letting him know what to expect is great for him.
Excellent purchase........2007-05-21
This was one of the best purchases we made in terms of labor and delivery for our first child. Well worth reading for the mom-to-be and anyone else who is going to be involved in the labor and delivery.
Great book!.......2007-03-29
This book was extremely helpful in learning how to support the laboring mom. There were so many helpful resources to use. I will be taking this book to births with me for quick reference.
Helpful Resource.......2007-03-24
The Birth Partner was a great book for anyone that wants to learn more about being a partner in the birthing/delivery process. I was a complete novice and found it so helpful to prepare me for my role in being a birthing coach for my friends home birth.
Worth reading!.......2007-03-08
The only downside to the book is that it is not concise. That means, you will pretty much need to read it cover to cover. But, the information in there is extremely important for anyone supporting a soon-to-be mother. Well worth the money!
Amazon.com
Ruth Yaron cares deeply about what your baby is eating--so much so that her bestselling Super Baby Food is encyclopedic in both scope and size. Ounce for hefty ounce, this manual/cookbook/reference guide is worth its weight in formula, packed as it is with detailed information on homemade baby food, nutritional data, feeding schedules, cooking techniques, recipes, and other invaluable feeding tips. Yaron builds her compelling argument for making baby food at home on the simple premise that food profoundly impacts health, especially when an infant's developing digestive tract is involved. Parents will learn why babies should start out on rice porridge, bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes before advancing to more difficult-to-digest foods such as wheat cereals and milk products. While Yaron's passionate stance and vegetarian bias may turn off some parents, others will be grateful for her strict attention to potentially harmful additives and chemicals. No matter what their eating philosophy, most parents will appreciate the economy and surprising ease of making baby food at home. This is not gourmet cooking; all you have to do is learn how to boil water and operate a blender. For veggies, simply steam some vegetable chunks and blend. For baby porridge, just grind some whole grains in a blender and boil. It's that simple. And when you're feeding your baby, simple is best. --Sumi Hahn
Book Description
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING you should know about feeding your baby and toddler from beginning solid foods through age three years. How and when to start your baby on solid foods, with detailed information on the best and safest high chair, spoons, bibs, and other feeding equipment.
Which foods to introduce to your baby during each month of his first year, with details on proper food consistency, amount, and temperature. How much you can expect your baby to eat and drink during the months of her first year with information on her digestive system at each age. Interesting details on your baby's physical, emotional, intellectual, and psychological development as it applies to self-feeding and mealtimes; how you can increase your baby's or toddler's self-esteem and self-confidence during mealtimes.
The age you can expect your baby to start finger feeding, drinking from a cup, eating table foods, and self-feeding with a spoon and fork. If you choose to make homemade baby food, this book will give you the knowledge and confidence to make your own healthy and safe homemade baby vegetables, fruits, cereals, meats, and other Super Baby Foods. Extensive information on food allergies; foods considered choking hazards; foods likely to cause digestive problems in young babies; and safety precautions to prevent burns and poisoning.
Thousands of money-saving and time-saving child care and kitchen tips. How to make meals fun! Food decorating! Cute cake patterns! Toddler party snacks and favors! Many other entertaining ideas! More than 350 quick, easy, delicious, nutritious, and sometimes entertaining recipes for babies and toddlers, including imitation homemade recipes for: Pop Tarts, Grape Nuts and other breakfast cereals, instant breakfast drinks, hot chocolate mix, Shake-N-Bake, Pam, Fruit Roll-Ups, Stove-top Stuffing Mix, homemade vanilla extract, Hamburger Helper, and more. So much cheaper and healthier (no preservatives needed!) to make for your toddler and family! Recipes for homemade play dough, finger paints and brush paints, bubbles for blowing, and dozens more children's arts and crafts recipes and ideas. Ideas for Halloween, Christmas, Easter, birthday parties, and homemade toddler toys and gifts.
All about nutrition and your baby, including nutrient tables of all major vitamins and minerals with convenient baby-sized portions to help you be sure that your baby is getting proper nourishment. How to save money by making homemade yogurt, fruit leather, and how to grow sprouts, fruit plants, and herbs in your kitchen for fun and food. Easy, economical recipes for homemade baby accessories, such as baby wipes, diaper cream, and many more.
Baby-safe and environmentally-friendly recipes for household cleaning products, such as baby-safe drain cleaners, furniture polish, window cleaners, and more. These recipes cost only pennies to make and are so safe that most are actually edible!! Tips for removing crayon, spit-up, and urine stains from baby clothes, carpets, and furniture. This book is the most complete and well-researched baby food book on the market today. Even though it is 600 pages, it is cleverly designed for the busy parent to read only a small part each month as baby grows.
Customer Reviews:
great.......2007-09-09
Excellent book, teaches you everything you wanted to know about baby food and more! In the back of the book it gives you recipes for making your own cleaning products that are safe around the baby. I actually started to make them.
Very helpful but not stand alone handbook.......2007-09-04
My husband bought this book before our son was born, with the idea that it would be nice to make our own baby food. I resisted, but as our son reached his 5-month birthday, the questions of what and how to feed him became more pressing and I picked the book up. At first, I found it totally overwhelming. The book is poorly organized and, although Yaron says it's possible to flip to certain sections first, it's really not, since a lot of the information needed to understand and apply the advice in one chapter is contained in different chapters. So I ended up reading the book cover to cover and now often use the index to look up specific information. Using the book in this way, I've found it very helpful and sometimes even inspiring. I have now made and frozen a lot of veggies and have started our baby on some solid food. It is tremendously satisfying to know exactly what he is eating, how it was prepared, and why I am feeding this food instead of (or with) that one. I have also since read _Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health_ and found that with the exception of _Feeding Your Child's_ recommendations on fiber, the two books complement each other well. _Super Baby_ offers recipes and guidelines on feeding, while _Feeding Your Child_ gives nutritional background and approaches to dealing with picky eaters, etc. That said, as other reviewers mention, parents with allergies (or any concern about developing allergies in their children) should evaluate Yaron's guidelines on dairy, nuts, seeds, and soy carefully. In addition, she doesn't address the issue of home cooking high nitrate foods (carrots, beets, spinach, etc.) before eight months, another health concern, so parents using this book will need to research this themselves (_Feeding Your Child_ offers some helpful guidance). Overall, this is an extremely useful resource, but not a stand alone book on feeding your super baby or super toddler.
Super Baby Food is super info.......2007-09-04
I haven't had the time to read it through yet. But so far it's got the level to details that I want to follow. Still a bit intimidated, but am taking baby steps (ie, clearing out space in my freezer for the ice cube trays for freezing baby food) to do this for my baby.
Great book.......2007-08-31
I am only in the beginning of the feeding process but this is a great resource. I think that what you feed your child is just as important as the valves you teach them. By exposing them to the right foods from the beginning you create a lifelong habit. This book really walks you through the process and it appears to be simple enough that everyone can do it. I would highly recommend using this book!
Toooooo much advice.......2007-08-29
Sorry but this book just had way to much advice for me. All I was looking for were some quick, healthy ideas to make my baby some food at home and I ended up with the "mother" of all textbooks. Seriously if I read one more "tip" or "warning" from her I just don't know what I'll do....
Customer Reviews:
Best Reads on Birthing Mechanics.......2007-10-11
This book has the best chapters on Sexuality and Pregnancy as well as the mechanics of birthing that I've read -- and I've been through quite a few books recently. I would highly recommend it to any reader interested in a sound knowledge of the "how-to" of birth.
Some outdated views, but still worth it for the techniques.......2007-09-20
Ok, so I went in reading this with a grain of salt (as was advised) and I see why. The statistics are outdated and there is one part about a baby's possible future resentment toward a mom who chose a C-section...um...yeah. That had me laughing outloud and then I knew I must read the book solely for the techniques.
I have to say, at 38 weeks pregnant, and having extremely painful Braxton Hicks contractions, the relaxation techniques and exercises you can do with a partner or husband, have been a huge help! I love that they do a lot of coaching the coach, too. Right now, my husband basically reads the instructions in a soft voice and it's so comforting through some really painful times.
I love that they touch on the EMOTIONAL progress of the stages of labor, as well, so that that you can get control and will be able to know where you are in the different stages of labor.... So as to avoid getting to the hospital too soon or too late. It is really encouraging about listening to your own body and not going totally on emotions, too.
I just caution you, it's biased against hospitals as well as toward epidurals at all. There are a lot of happy and healthy babies out there delivered by a mom who had an epidural, so it's a mystery why this is the ONLY way to do it right. You must just go into birthing with confidence that you can do this naturally, but knowing there are things that come up and to make sure you keep asking questions. No woman is a failure when it comes to delivering a baby. I just don't buy in to doing it one way. Things happen. Sometimes C-sections save lives. Just be informed, you know?
Best book for preparing on a natural childbirth.......2007-09-06
I loved this book the BEST book to prepare for a natural childbirth. Some things you might want to read quick and not to seriously, just use your own common sense and take the best things out of this book. and ... I had a natural childbirth!
Get Informed.......2007-08-24
You owe it to yourself and your baby. How you bring your baby into the world will affect your child for the rest of his or her life. This book is an education on natural birthing and the Bradley Method. It explains all the changes (mental, physical, hormonal, etc) that a pregnant woman goes through, what she needs in labor and how the coach (usually husband) can help.
After reading the book and taking additional Bradley Childbirth Classes, the mystery of birth and fear of the unknown has lifted. I feel totally prepared and ready to welcome our little one.
Loved this book!.......2007-07-29
I read quite a few books during my pregnancy and found that this one, more than any other, helped to truly ease my fears about the pain of labor. I was actually still reading it when I went into labor and found it to be an empowering, informative and comforting resource. I was able to delivery my son without pain medications and felt at ease (without fear) throughout the entire labor and delivery process. I truly believe it contributed greatly to the wonderful birth experience we had.
Book Description
"At long last âMagda Gerber's wisdom and spice captured in a book âwhat a treasure! Now parents and caregivers everywhere can benefit from learning what it means to truly respect babies." âJanet Gonzalez-Mena Author of Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers and Dragon Mom
"Magda Gerber's approach will deepen your understanding of your baby and help you truly appreciate the complexity, competence, and amazing capacities of the small human being for whom you are caring." âJeree H. Pawl, Ph.D. Director, Infant-Parent Program University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.
As the founder of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), Magda Gerber has spent decades helping new mothers and fathers give their children the best possible start in life. Her successful parenting approach harnesses the power of this basic fact: Your baby is unique and will grow in confidence if allowed to develop at his or her own pace. The key to successful parenting is learning to observe your child and to trust him or her to be an initiator, an explorer, a self-learner with an individual style of problem solving and mastery.
Now you can discover the acclaimed RIE approach. This practical and enlightening guide will help you:
- Develop your own observational skills
- Learn when to intervene with your baby and when not to
- Find ways to connect with your baby through daily caregiving routines such as feeding, diapering, and bathing
- Effectively handle common problems such as crying, discipline, sleep issues, toilet training, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
R-e-s-p-e-c-t... find out what is means to baby.......2007-07-15
A great book for all parents! This book gives an in depth explanation of the RIE philosophies. It is well written and organized. I think it is better written than Magda Gerber's first book Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect (2nd Edition). RIE offers parents a nice structure that helps promote a loving connected relationship between parent and child. Like any parenting philosophy, it is important that parents pick and choose what feels right for your particular family. I recommend this book to any parent that wants to raise a confident baby.
Dr. Jenn Berman
[...]
Author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids
Excellent Read!.......2007-05-16
Recommended to me by my college Professor a Dr. of Child Development. It was a great way to pull all of the methods we learned in class about positive and developmentally facilitating group care for Infants and Toddlers into my home so I could care for my own child while still encouraging his learning and creating a well adjusted child. Although this book does not talk about the research done on her methods, my class certainly did, and the finding were quite telling. I recommend watching video footage of the infants who have been raised and taught with these methods, IT IS AMAZING to see what a child so small is capable of doing on their own. I am excited to see my own children excel with her methods.....
Gerber.......2007-05-09
Very good to get a newer version on the child care examples for which our Center is based upon.
Sort of a strange take on some things.......2007-04-05
While the book has some great ideas and questions our assumptions about how we interact with babies, some ideas of this approach seem odd. Such as seeing the act of burping your baby as hitting? Or that rocking your baby is inappropriate? I very much agree with another reviewer who said this book is written in a "know-it-all" tone, too. I only tolerate that tone when there is research to back it up.
Reconnects you with the basic simple act of communicating.......2006-09-29
This is an amazing philosophy. It may seem like it's contradicting so many of the hushing and quieting methods prevalent today, but once you delve into it, you realize that listening to your baby is the key to understanding their needs and thus opening up a genuine communication with your child. Practicing this approach is grounding and relaxing and we can't say enough about how much it's allowed our child to develop into a fully independent, self aware confident baby, not to mention that as parents, we feel authentic and connected to our child.
Customer Reviews:
Great for Bradley Method Reading.......2007-10-15
I read this book in preparing for Natural Childbirth. I have found the tips how to prepare both myself and my husband very useful. I recommend it to anyone who is pregnant.
BRADLEY Method GREAT. Book BORING by itself........2007-09-18
Using the Bradley Method, I gave birth to and my husband "Helped Birth" 2 awesome boys. However, my Oldest Son and my Daughter-in-Law were forcing themselves to read this book. My son finally admitted that it was drawn out, boring and probably wouldn't be finished by either of them; it was all text - without any pictures to look at to give true insight to the subject. As they had no Childbirth Classes available to them and Birthday was due within 1 week, I encouraged my son to find another book that might be easier for them to learn from. Recognizing the method name, Son grabbed another "Bradley" book written by a different author. I should say "Illustrated" by another author because the book was full of discreet, educational pictures. Within 3 hours of purchasing this "COMPANION" book, my son was telling ME about different breathing methods and why some things were better for Mom and Baby than others. By combining the info found in BOTH books, Mommy-to-Be and Daddy-to-Be are now excited about the upcoming birth itself not just fearful of something they HAVE to go through (survive) in order to receive their blessed little girl.
The "MUST HAVE" Companion Book is:
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition
TOGETHER THEY ARE 5 STARS!
So informative!.......2007-08-23
I have read a few books on pregnancy and I've gotten more good info out of this than any of the other books and this was written for a man!!! I really like it a lot!
Husband Coached Childbirth.......2007-05-20
Dr. Bradley bases his advise on the natural births of animal mothers - the techniques work well. Try to get the companion book - Exercises for True Natural Childbirth by Rhondda Evans Hartman.
HCC Review.......2007-05-13
Dr. Bradley's humor takes a little getting used to, but very quickly you'll love it and find yourself nodding in agreement! The information is unparalleled and his passion for his work is contagious! Thank You Dr. Bradley and the AAHCC for making this book available! You changed my birthing experience and empowered me to do what I was created to do! Tiffany Boal
Book Description
Breastfeeding is natural, but it's not always easy. It is the biological norm, but it is not the cultural norm. By learning the seven basic principles in this book, mothers can dramatically increase their likelihood of success and make breastfeeding the enjoyable experience it should be. The seven laws taught in this book are easy for mothers to understand and are sure to help them avoid some of the pitfalls that they might otherwise face.
The seven principles include: 1. Babies Have the Urge to Self-Attach 2. Use the Power of Skin-to-Skin: A Baby's Natural Habitat 3. Breastfeed Ad Lib 4. Reach for the Comfort Zone 5. Expect Cluster Nursing 6. More Milk Out = More Milk Made 7. Babies Outgrow Breastfeeding
The book also addresses how to solve common problems and deal with special situations such as breast reductions and babies with special needs. The authors describe some of the social, psychological, and cultural reasons why breastfeeding is not currently the norm, and what this implies for mothers. In all, this is an easy-to-use breastfeeding resource for new mothers, which includes all the latest research and techniques used by those in the lactation field.
Customer Reviews:
User Friendly.......2007-10-05
I read The Nursing Mother's Companion before I had my baby and it was very good. Then after I had been nursing and working for awhile I still needed some reassurance about maintaining my supply. I found this book very informative and it doesn't have that scolding tone some of the other books have. I also enjoyed the details about the way other cultures deal with birth, motherhood and breastfeeding. I'm buying it for a pregnant friend of mine.
Read this book and breathe a sigh of relief!.......2007-09-26
I am expecting twins in December. Looked at other books but this one really seemed to be my answer. It's an easy read. Keeps it simple. Provides a wealth of information to ease a first time mom's concerns and anxieties about the "fears" of breastfeeding. I now know this is the most natural experience and no need to be afraid. I'm excited to breastfeed my twins and know that this is going to work. Go into it believing! Don't go into thinking "IF it works..." It will. I will buy this for any woman who I know is expecting!
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!.......2007-08-27
This is simply the BEST breastfeeding book ever! It answers all of your questions, even those you hadn't thought about. It explains EVERYTHING you need to know. This book saved my life; if it wasn't for it I would have probably given up. Thanks to it I successfully breastfed my baby until he was 8 months old. I highly, highly recommend it. I've already bought several copies to give to my pregnant friends. In fact, the single advice I give to any pregnant woman I meet is: if you're planning on breastfeeding READ THIS BOOK!
The only breastfeeding book you'll need...........2007-07-22
Okay, I have read them all. I LOVE this book. And don't skip the intro! It is great and she dispels all the myths out there.
Clear, concise, accurate and positive, this is the book for any type of Mom! From a professional point of view, this book as a resource is great.
I wish I'd had this BEFORE MY SON WAS BORN!.......2007-07-07
I thought I'd done everything I could to prepare for breastfeeding, but if a friend hadn't brought me this book at 3 weeks I really might have thrown in the towel. I was starting to think I'd never make it through the first month and wondering if I had milk supply problems. In five minutes of looking at this book I realized that:
1. it would get SO much easier in a few weeks (if only someone had told me!);
2. all my "worries" were actually normal behavior for a 3 week old baby. (If only someone had told me!)
3. I too could feed lying down at night and actually get some sleep. (If only someone had told me!)
If you're about to have a child - or if you're exhausted after only a few weeks and wondering if you can make breastfeeding work - then do yourself a favor and READ this book before you decide to quit, supplement, introduce a bottle, or switch to formula.
Book Description
When feeding babies, parents need to think outside the box—or the jar. Infants develop more rapidly in the first two years than they will in any other period of their lives. Over processed foods containing chemicals, preservatives, pesticide residue, and genetically engineered ingredients cannot nourish a growing baby. Infants need fresh, natural foods just like the rest of us.
Eating well can be easy, fun, and inexpensive. "Simply Natural Baby Food" gives you practical recipes to prepare whole foods that won't tie you to the kitchen. Best of all, your children will learn good eating habits that will last a lifetime. There is a chapter for each stage of a baby's eating development from first solid foods to fun recipes for toddlers. Tips are interspersed throughout the book to give the reader advice on cutting preparation time, helping baby to gain feeding independence, and getting maximum nutrition into baby's meals.
The book contains detailed recipes for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and beverages, including infant cereals, whole-grain crackers, sugar-free sweets, and non-diary nut and seed milks. Parents will appreciate the imaginative ways vegetables are incorporated into meals. For the child with allergies, many wheat-free, diary-free, and egg-free recipes have been included. "Simply Natural Baby Food" promotes a plant-based diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, sea vegetables, nuts and seeds are emphasized. There are recipes containing dairy products, fish, and poultry because, eaten in moderation, these foods contain important nutrients, but vegetarian and vegan alternatives are provided for virtually every recipe.
Find out how easy it is to prepare your own baby food. You'll save money and give your child the best possible start.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Gift for New Moms.......2007-09-20
The book is petite, as it should be; yet the writing is large and easily legible. Cathe's format emphasizes the simplicity of the recipes (that moms can literally whip up in minutes and freeze in batches for later use). Nonetheless, while the recipes contain just a few ingredients, Cathe emphasizes the importance of nutrition, and ensures that her recipes are well rounded from a nutrient perspective for each stage of an infant's development. In fact, there are numerous healthy tips and the chapters are broken down by age.
Actually, I found several of the older baby recipes (apple oat pancakes and pineapple carrot cake) and toddler recipes (whole grain waffles and minestrone soup) enticing myself! Really, the recipes cover breakfast to dinner tastes, and everything in between. This book even offers recipes for homemade animal cookies and graham crackers!
Worth noting, no diets are excluded from this handy guide. While there are a few omnivorous recipes (with meat), most of the recipes are vegan/vegetarian or offer easy alternatives. Along those lines, there is a plethora of dairy-free, wheat/gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, and nut-free recipes for any child born with allergies or other diet-related autoimmune condition. Cathe does use some unique ingredients that are popular within the health food movement, yet they are becoming easier to find, and could easily be omitted if you don't feel like seeking them out. The only thing that I think would help this book is a food allergy index.
It was hard for me to believe that over 150 recipes were packaged into this easily manageable cookbook, but after perusing the contents I was sold. Each of my expecting friends will be getting a copy!
A good recipe book for a healthy baby.......2007-09-14
I have tried most of the recipes in this book and all of them have turned out very well. Both my daughter and I liked the recipes. My daughter has managed to maintain a healthy weight throughout after eating food prepared by me using this book as a reference. Very good buy.
The food is definitely tastier than the store bought ones.
we absolutely LOVE this book!.......2007-05-15
It's a wonderful little book with great recipes. Our family found this book to be invaluable as our middle child was a bit of a discriminating eater at first. Ms. Olson's recipes helped her become the decidedly UN-discriminating eater she is today! Highly recommended.
Great Simple Recipes.......2007-05-07
This book has delightfully simple recipes that my baby loved. I also own Cathe Olson's Vegetarian Mother cookbook that I used while I was pregant & continue to use while nursing. I found that both books have nutritious & tasty recipes that aren't too time consuming. I'm very happy I bought it!
Some good ideas.......2007-04-03
Like many reviewers, I'm not big on the organic, make-your-own-baby-food stuff either. But this book is very helpful if your child can't or won't eat dairy products. There are a lot of ideas and recipes for non-dairy sources of calcium.
There were several recipes that my daughter liked when she was a year old but soon outgrew. Now at 2.5, when she is refusing to eat almost everything, there are still 3 recipes in here that she absolutely loves, and for those alone I'm very glad I bought this book. (The recipes she likes are vegetables with bread crumb topping, Almond Butter Noodles and nut butter chews. Even when she won't eat other vegetables, she'll gobble down broccoli with bread crumb topping and ask for seconds.)
There are also some good recipes for healthy desserts (i.e. low sugar and even some nutritional content), which have been popular at family gatherings.
Book Description
15 MINUTES A DAY TO A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, SMARTER BABY
Dr. Susan Ludington-Hoe’s internationally acclaimed Infant Stimulation Program has shown thousands of parents how to have healthier, happier, and smarter babies. In this important book, Dr. Ludington-Hoe shares with you the remarkable techniques and learning toys she developed and tested—with dramatic results—with parents and children. Stressing the development of a close and loving relationship between you and your child, she shows you what to do at every stage—during pregnancy, the first days after birth and the crucial first six months—to expand your joys in parenting and maximize your baby’s physical and mental potential. You’ll learn how to:
∑ Plan a pregnancy diet to promote your baby’s brain growth
∑ Design a nursery that will stimulate mental and physical development
∑ Make and/or buy inexpensive toys to accelerate muscular and eye coordination
∑ Tailor your program to your infant’s needs
∑ Talk to baby in captivating ways that will encourage language development
∑ Include father to bond the whole family in a relaxed, nurturing, and loving environment
“…an extremely clear treatise on infant development and the use of various toys and techniques designed for each stage.”—Los Angeles Times
Customer Reviews:
Out-of-date no-brainer.......2007-08-03
If you can get past the horrible writing style (a lot of sentences begin with "So..." or "Now..." and end with exclamation points!!) you'll find dangerously out-of-date information like including raw eggs in your protein shake, placing newborns on their tummies to sleep, recommending crib bumpers, ets. The product guide should be updated to include current books, prices and web sites for purchases. And why do I need 300 pages to tell me to talk to the baby in utereo and cuddle and hold her when she is a newborn? Aren't these infant stimulation techniques obviously helpful for bonding and development? Haven't people always known this stuff?
I can't believe this book is still available.
great information.......2006-07-05
Highly important in today's world. That we really understand that our babies are aware and "hearing" everything that goes on is critical! Welcoming these new souls and acknowledging their presence early and positively is critical for the future of the world. See birthpsychology.com for more reasons and deeper understanding!
Extremely Dangerous Nutritional Advice.......2004-01-05
In general, I enjoy reading the book although I find some of the tips were dated and extremely dangerous. For example, the Berman's Protein Shake contains a raw egg that can be dangerous to the baby since it may contain salmonella bacteria. Since we all know that all babies are extremely sensitive to fragrance--a petrochemical additive, and other additives are processed foods, I don't believe it is a good idea to put perfume on the baby toy. Read this book with caution!!!
Excellent Book - Where to buy the toys?.......2003-11-04
Hi, I have made a few toys for our baby based on the recommendations, but would also like to buy the professionally made toys. Since this book is kinda old, I am not sure if the company still exists at the location, and what are the charges for the toys. Was anyone successful in buying these toys? Where are they available?
Proof of the methods recommended.......2002-08-29
I read HOW TO HAVE A SMARTER BABY in 1985, the year my daughter was born. Did everything the book recommended, from pre-natal music to development of all of the infant's primary senses. Everything came easily to this daughter -- who is now High Honors in high school, and by class ranking, one of the smartest children in her high school class. She learned the alphabet by the time she was 2, could read by the time she was 4, has always had a spectacular memory and is headed towards an ivy league college. In large part, I am sure, HOW TO HAVE A SMARTER BABY played a role in her scholastic success.
Book Description
Imagine infants free from painful diaper rash, new parenthood without thousands of dollars wasted in diapering costs, toilet training that is natural and non–coercive, and, most importantly, happier babies and parents. As Christine Gross–Loh reveals in this progressive, enlightening book, all this is possible and more. Infants are born with their own methods of communicating their need to "go" just as they communicate hunger or sleepiness.
Sudden restlessness, squirming, arching of the back, and vocalization ... all infants display these common behaviors. But what parents may not realize is that these seemingly random actions have a purpose and meaning. Using the tenets of Elimination Communication (EC), Gross–Loh, a mother of two children who were diaper–free at eighteen and fifteen months, respectively, teaches parents how to identify and respond to their baby or toddler's natural cues. Unlike the extreme approach of some parenting books, The Diaper–Free Baby addresses three categories of parents: Full–Time, Part–Time, and Occasional EC'ers. Parents can practice EC as much or as little as fits their family and lifestyle–even busy or working parents and their babies can benefit from the book's techniques.
Customer Reviews:
A great "mainstream" book.......2007-10-08
I have read two other diaper free/infant potty training books, and I found this one to be the most readable and "mainstream". I definitely enjoyed the other books, too - but this is the one I would recommend to other people to read. It's a great first book on elimination communication, and it has tons of practical advice - what products you might want and where to get them, lots of anecdotes from other parents who have been through the process.
The best EC book out there, hands-down!.......2007-10-03
When I first heard about EC, I immediately wanted to read more about it, so I bought Ingrid Bauer's "Diaper Free!" since it was the most well-known EC book. She scared me so much with her preachy, holier-than-thou, all-or-nothing tone that I thought EC was not for me. Also, her other crunchy ideas about parenting are so different from most modern moms I know - I just couldn't relate.
Thankfully, I found "The Diaper Free Baby" soon after, and am fully on board with EC again. It is down-to-earth, non-judgmental and oh so practical. I love how Christine takes all the pressure off, and is so gentle and warmly encouraging. You never feel guilty for anything you have done or will choose not to do. All moms have different philosophies and come from different backgrounds, and she always takes that into account by providing different options so you can make EC work for you.
After reading this book, I am so excited to try EC (from birth!) with my next baby. If it were not for Christine's reassurance that part-time and occasional EC is just as good, I wouldn't even consider it. I hope everyone considering EC can get a copy of this book - it's honestly the best EC book out there.
Great for beginners.......2007-07-31
I highly recommend this book, especially to people who are just getting to know this method, as an alternative to the "Infant Potty Training" by Laurie Boucke. It is pleasant to read, easy to understand, and contains practical advice on how to start potty training at any age. The book describes how to encourage your baby to "stay in touch" with his or her own body, which makes potty training easy at any age, even if you choose to wait until the more conventional potty training age of 2/3/4. As opposed to the Laurie Boucke book, this one takes a more moderate and mild approach to the issue, with the same successful results, and I think, this book is much more practical from the point of view of modern american parents than any other book on EC I have read.
Easy to Understand.......2007-07-22
It is a wonderful explanation of what, how, why, etc. She also does not judge if you don't want to or do, or whether you do it full time or part time, or expect babysitters to do it or not. She gave good instructions for any situation. There are chapters for newborns, mid-infancy beginners like me, or how to put the theory to use on toddlers and older babies. She totally doesn't talk trash about diapers and in some instances promotes them.
I was pleased and was glad that I wasn't reading a bunch of stuff about "Diapers are bad because blah blah blah" but a good explanation that was in terms I could understand and relate, and she had pictures! Of real babies, not just sketches. That is also helpful because I never did well with boring diagrams.
Just sharing.
Practical Guide to Early Infant Pottying.......2007-06-08
This books was the most practical of the Elimination Communication books that I found. It covers all the how to basics in a clear manner and presents many different ways of incorporating EC into your lifestyle. Whether you want to practice EC full time or part time, starting with a newborn or toddler, this is a judgment free guide on how to learn to communicate with your child in a stress free way about a very basic part of being human. The guidance is clear and helpful and the tone is encouraging without prosylitizing (sp). The pictures aren't just cute but a part of the instruction.
After reading the book, I felt much more confident in practicing EC with my 5 month old. It really doesn't have to be about "potty training", which can be a stressful thing, but about communication so that your baby does not loose touch with a body awareness that he/she already has. Or if your baby is older, a gentle approach to re-contacting the body awareness with bowel and bladder.
Customer Reviews:
Well worth reading.......2003-04-24
This is a great book. It is based on facts- studies, observations, etc. It is not an academic book that you might read if you were going to school. It is written for the parent, the person who takes care of children, the average every day person who is curious about how children learn and what can be done to encourage the learning. It is easily read and easily understood.
I particularly like that it doesn't stress pushing your child to learn more, learn faster, work harder. It just suggests ways that anyone around children can gently children learn.
Well worth reading.
Enjoy.
Stimulating and eye openning towards natural ways to educate.......1999-03-01
It is a wonderful guide for parents who are worried about the children's education in a career oriented, competitive world; looking for their child to grow naturaly, healthy in spirit, mind and body; but to also willing help the child in her development participating actively in their education. A child is a natural genius, it is up to the parents to discover all the wonderful potential she has unveiled. I do not want my daughter to be what I want her to be, I want her to disscover it by herself, and I would like to provide her with as much opportunities as possible to widen her choices.
Reassuringly readable without in-your-face academic verbosit.......1997-12-17
This book reminded me of the poster in my high school principal's office, of Albert Einstein and how he didn't talk until age three, didn't read until age 11, kicked out of school at age etc. etc. If empowerment is the word of the decade, then this book belongs in the shopping basket of parents of "LD" kids, educators, therapists, child psychologists et al. Thought-provoking is an understatement- highly readable and "user-friendly."
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General
| Pregnancy & Childbirth
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| Books
The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth
Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth (Revised)
