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

An amazing book I am grateful to have. I have three three children, two grandchildren and one on the way. My youngest child is thirty-one. I realized that I was out-dated as my grandchildren started popping out of the oven and plans were put in place for me to babysit one day a week. What a blessing to be alive and observe my grandchildren's development. I see this book as a gift from GOD to me. I have learnt a lot from it. I'm excited and confident to begin my new role. First-Time Parent is interesting, informative, down-to-earth, practical, relevant, easy to read, understand and most of all empowering.

Bought as a gift for new parents. Easy to understand and informative. Recipients very pleased.

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.

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

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!

Misdescribed condition.

This is the only book that has successfully reassured me on many occasions that I am doing fine as a mother! I had picked up Gina Ford (binned it!) and the Baby Whisperer (only took advice in napping from this), but felt that they were too prescriptive on what baby 'should' be doing and what I 'should' be doing. All that does is make you feel that you and baby are failing in some way. This book is amazingly reassuring. It says regularly that there is no 'right' way and that every baby is different. It regularly reminds you that what you're going through, and what your baby is doing, is nothing new or different, or right or wrong necessarily. It just gives you lots of ideas to try in order to solve any issues, recognising that some things work with some babies and others don't. It's incredibly down-to-earth and practical, like having a best friend or your own Mum guiding you through motherhhood with a hug and a smile and no judgement (unlike some friends or my own Mum.....!). Whenever i've have felt anxious about anything, i've picked up this book and felt so much better. The only slight criticism i would have is on the daytime naps. I had trouble getting my son to have them and there isn't an awful lot in here telling you how to get him to nap, how often or how long for. That's when I used the Baby Whisperer.

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.

I really loved this book. Great pictures, easy to read and straight forward advice. A definite buy for first time mums.

Book is a complete guide on how to take care of a newborn in a proper way, how to take care of oneself as a new parent as well as what arrangements to make before the baby arrives. Must be read by all parents to be.

Pros: - This is a brilliant combination of being both informative and fun. So refreshing in an age of judgmental, scare-monger-based parenting advice. - Great layout. Nicely designed chapters with color printing. - Lots of illustrative photos, which are really useful. - British sense of humor (the author is a Guardian newspaper writer). Cons: - None!

better books out there

A very down to earth book with practical advice and no nonsense information. Very useful for first time parents or those like me who have a second pregnancy after 12 years!