Recommended baby/parenting books? There are so many out there...

[MummaSue]

The Science of Parenting by Margot Sunderland

Parenting by Heart by Pinky McKay

Sleeping like a baby by Pinky McKay

Nighttime parenting by Dr Sears

The Attachment Parenting book by Dr Sears

The Fussy baby book by Dr Sears (not just for fussy babies, this book is AMAZING and I wish I'd had it from the start).

The Wonder Weeks

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[KarenM]

Well Adjusted Babies is awesome.

[boomba]

helping your baby to sleep.....cant remember the authors atm
why is your baby crying... Sheila kitzenger
good luck xx

[buliej]

Wonder Weeks is great - also, go to their website and sign-up for email notices based on baby's due date - then you just read the relevant chapter when you get the notice that your baby is entering a developmental leap - it's very interesting and practical and gives ideas on new games to play with your baby based on the mental leap they are going through. I thank Loula for pointing me to this one.

I like Baby Love - I ordered it from the book depository - it covers a lot of info.

For sleep - my #1 recommendation is a book from the States that a friend told me about - check out the reviews on Amazon - Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child Dr. Marc Weissbluth (a pediatrician and father of 4) - I only wish I had been told about it pre-birth and read the first half prior to having DS - it has helped me understand his needs for sleep so much as well as what to pay attention to so that I get to know him as an individual with his own sleep requirements while at the same time understanding that babies need sleep and you have to work to give them what they need (the example they give is that your child may want ice cream for dinner but you are not going to give them ice cream for dinner because that isn't what they need for their wellbeing).

I just borrowed Happiest Baby on the Block from the ABA (our branch of the ABA has a lending library) based on a recommendation but haven't had time to open the cover - you will find that - I had all these grand plans on reading before baby and after based on age but the day just disappears and sometimes when I have time, I just want to read escapist fiction! Thus, I have about 8 books and only use 2-3.

I tried following one of the books that has a "schedule" - it so did not work for us - DS wanted to sleep MORE than the book allowed. The only thing I took from there is to have an established bedtime routine as well as bedtime - but even her bedtime was too late for DS.

Get your DH involved in picking/reading a book - my husband didn't book shop but he definitely reads them now and is really interested in what they say.

[buliej]

PS - I'd also recommend doing a breastfeeding class either through the ABA or the hospital (I'm not sure what the options are where you are) - but I found it really helpful. Partners were welcome at the hospital class I took and although DH kicked and moaned about going, he ended up finding it worthwhile and it gave him a very good understanding of why it was so importnat to me to BF and thus, he was able to support me during the very tough first 2 months of BF'ing and that support was so important. If you can't do one because none are offered in your area, I highly recommend researching Lactation Consultants who do home visits in your area (or who would even seen you in the hospital) - your GP or OB may be a good starting place (I know you don't have a fixed OB at the moment) - there's also an Australia-wide website that lists certified lactation consultants by area but I can't remember what it is - a good google search should find it. The private LC visit at home was money well spent.

Without the lactation room at Frances Perry (where I delivered), 1 or 2 super midwives there (and then a home visit by a private LC) and DH waking for every feed with me during the first 6 weeks at home, I don't think I would have made it breastfeeding - it was a lot harder than I expected (mostly because DS was 4 weeks early - but not entirely).

[BellyBelly]

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[Possums]

Thanks again everyone, this is really helpful