Preparing For Baby

As we are counting down the days until we bring a newborn into our home for the third time, I have been re-reading some of my trusted baby books.

For pregnancy and delivery I have two favorite books. The first is What to Expect When You’re Expecting, it has been called a must-have book for parents to be, and I have found it very helpful through all of my pregnancies. The second book is The Whole Pregnancy Handbook, which is a guide that combines both conventional and alternative medicine. I just found this book during this pregnancy, and I have been very thankful for the advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. The only thing that I don't like is that the spiritual or mind/body advice & testimonials in the the book are in no way Christian, but overall I recommend the book.

I have also re-read On Becoming Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo, & Robert Bucknam. When Joshua was about 8 months old & still not sleeping through the night, a friend recommended Baby Wise to us. I read the book and immediately started using the techiniques in the book. That night Joshua slept through the night, it was hard at first, but it worked. With Mercy we started scheduling her from the beginning and she was sleeping for 7-8 hrs. through the night at about 8 weeks. Again, I don't agree with everything in the book, but it has worked for us. Also note that Gary Ezzo has some controversial teachings (parent-directed feeding) and many people disagree with his work and organization (Growing Kid's International).

I also have taken out my dog-eared and falling apart copy of The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two by William & Martha Sears. I have used this book with both Joshua & Mercy. Again, Dr. Sears is a follower of attachment parenting (which can be considered the opposite of Gary Ezzo's methods) and I am not an adherent to that style of child rearing. I like to think that by using both Baby Wise and the Baby Book I get a good mix, and it has really worked for our family.