Your Baby's First Year Week by Week

This book is abundant with useful information. All the important milesstones for each week are highlighted and different topics applicable to that week are written about in detail. I loved children prior to having my own but was clueless in the infant entertainment department. In addition to the basics, the tips on how to play with your new baby through all of his/her stages was very useful. The authors explain how the simple games help your baby develop and learn. The baby massage sections are an excellent way to learn to calm baby and bond with her as well. My husband and I used this book as a reference numerous times during the first year for both our little girl, who is now four, and currently for our 6 month old son.

There is a short but sweet summary on how to Ferberize your baby in week 23. What a lifesaver! In just 2 days this method helped our infant sleep though the night and put himself back to sleep. The book states clearly that this is not a method for infants younger than 6 months. Ferberizing is not letting your baby cry it out alone as some critics have mentioned. Each parent must use their common sense and do what is best for their baby. We used a timer and never let our 6 month old baby cry for more than 7 minutes. We always stayed in the room to soothe him. After 3 rotations of this he became better at putting himself back to sleep. If he cries in the night, do we leave him on his own "to cry it out"? No of course not, clearly that would be dangerous. Since using the Ferber method he is able to sleep better and the whole household has benefitted. If you don't choose to Ferberize there is other advice in this book that any parent will find useful.

There is a chapter on feeding your baby solids at four months. These are suggestions, not absolutes. Ultimately it's your choice as a parent if you give your child solids at 4 or 6 months. The book is simply letting you know that it's safe at 4 months. Previous reviewers have criticized this aspect of the book sharply. Have these same reviewers noticed that babyfood containers at the store print on their labels that it is safe to feed solids to a 4 month old baby? Does it mean you have to give solids to your 4 month old infant? I don't think so. My son was 20 lbs at 4 months, sitting up and reaching for my food. He was clearly ready to eat solids. This book gives guidelines to assist you in being mindful and making the best choice for your baby.

Curtis and Schuler do a comprehensive job of giving the reader different points of view and ways to care for a child in the first year. All the information is arranged in short peices never more than a few pages long. These small sections cover everything from strollers and gear to infant sleep and illnesses. This is a modern, relevant book on how to care for your newborn. It can smooth out some of the bumps in the road for first time parents.

Thank you!

I got this for my daughter's first baby. My first grandson! She's an intellectual type so this was right up her ally!