First-Time Parent: The honest guide to coping brilliantly and staying sane in your baby’s first year

This was a brilliant book, funny and great content for parents and anyone involved in looking after a baby. It's practical and not patronising - I defiantly recommend this book to others who want to think about issues beyond the birth. This is one of my favourite books to read in the parenting genre. I bought the kindle edition and may now baby the hard back version too because while those boxes can be read on a kindle and pictures can be seen, I think I'd also enjoy having a hard copy too. The kindle version is good with cross linking to jump to a section and looking up words easily, adding my own notes and bookmarks but paper has its advantages too if you want to see tables better. I recommend reading this with "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" by Tracy Hogg. The two together give balanced advice and the ideas work well together (in my opinion). Yes, some babies really do cry and cry. Also, I bought a cheap funny book (less helpful for advice and structure but some good tips from a collection of mothers) called "Things I Wish I'd Known: Women tell the truth about motherhood" edited by Victoria Young. I'm sure you have your own "favourites" but these were mine so far. Enjoy

This is a book that gives you an overview of parenthood, especially the first year after baby just born. It is neutral enough, and with pictures guidance on some topics, making it easier to follow.Should be an easy first book to read, understand, share and discuss with parent regarding parenthood.I could not have asked for for more as the first book to read, about the first year, and pre-empting what we might face together as a family.

The book has brilliant content and is well worth reading for any first time parent. My only criticism is the title, as it states first time parent but in the main seems much more for first time mums than dads. I read it as a father to be and still enjoyed it, but I did find that while useful, the other books I have read specifically targeted at Dads to be more relatable.

Expensive so if I could have got it second hand or from the library it would have been even better. But its a great book to own, dip into, lend out. I have a 5 month baby and so much of what she writes is SPOT ON. Down to earth and funny enough to make me laugh out loud at times. Would be great to read before having your baby, but still worth buying now, at the 5 month stage. Great section on what you really need to get before baby arrives, and what you dont need but will make life much easier if you get it. Great section on the whole buggy/pram/travel system choice which is mindboggling to the first time parent. Lots of great sections. Very supportive. Very good non hyped perspective on all the crucial parent/baby issues I have been finding out about through daily experience ie the issue of (lack of) sleep and breastfeeding/bottlefeeding/weaning. Very well worth a read.

I bought this book 2 years ago to take to the US when I visited my newborn grandson. I left it with my son and daughter in law as it was such as useful book - and very easy to read.I have just bought another copy for my other son in the UK.

The writing is easy to digest. Lots of helpful information as if you’re speaking to a friend who’s been through the journey of parenthood and is passing on pearls of wisdom!This is a personal preference but I don’t like the use of ‘he’ in one passage and then ‘she’ on another passage. Could have used pronoun ‘they’ or just referred to them as the baby. Some elements are outdated such as the continued mention of Mothercare and Babies R Us.Given this book was published around 2009 I don’t think the cost is justified given some of the information is outdated. Definitely worth a read and a solid 3* as there is helpful information.

Being a first-time parent-to-be I've been overwhelmed by the information available in the big wide world and ended up feeling totally flustered and panicked every time I decided to learn about something new. Advice everywhere is just so conflicting that you don't know what to believe and it leaves you wondering what the actual truth it.I stumbled upon this book and it's been a real lifesaver! Now I won't naively say that having read this book I'm now perfectly prepared for the arrival of my child; I'm realistic and know that anything can happen. However, I feel reassured that I can cope. It's nice to know about the less-than-glamorous aspects no-one tells you about and that other parents aren't all amazing at changing nappies from their first go. It gives me the confidence to make mistakes and know that we'll get through it all.I enjoyed the structure of the book too, taking you through the necessary bits of equipment and goodies you need (rather than be tempted by all the gadgets around), the hospital bit itself and then going home with a newborn. The information was clear, worded in a friendly but not patronising manner and the book was a pleasure to read. It's something I think I may be referring to quite frequently!