Some useful information, but a lot of anger at mothers
930832
I took a look at this book to see if it might be something Icould recommend to my son's father, now that we're separated. Whilethere is some good parenting information, there are also some serious problems. Brott clearly isn't completely over his divorce yet. Little digs against mothers crop up even when he is discussing unrelated topics (for example, when he is discussing becoming a stepfather, he feels compelled to claim that mothers are more likely to abuse children than are stepfathers (he gives no reference to back up this bizarre claim). He condemns giving the mother sole or primary custody for various reasons, but supports *fathers* getting sole or primary custody--in his discussions of custody, he fails to focus on the children's best interests, but instead emphasizes the father's rights. Ditto his discussion of child support--he seems to think that mothers use child support payments to indulge themselves, without considering that adequate child support is what is the children's best interest. Furthermore, his proposed visitation schedules for breastfeeding infants are ludicrous--for example, for a one month old, breastfed, he suggests at least 3 hours a day, plus 8 to 12 hours on the weekends--a schedule that is highly likely to prevent breastfeeding from being successfully established. He also claims that extended breastfeeding (past 1 year) is merely a ploy to interfere with the father's relationship with the child. He also suggests giving "tastes" of food to very young babies (newborn to 6 months), apparently unaware that early introduction of solids can increase the risk of allergies developing. One good thing about this book is that he has included lots of information for gay fathers throughout, but I suspect that there are other books for gay fathers which do not have the problems of this book. I decided not to recommend this book to my son's fathers. Instead, I gave him a copy of _Helping_Your_Kids_Cope_With_Divorce_the_Sandcastles_Way_, which includes a wealth of balanced, compassionate, realistic advice for divorced parents of both genders.
3458357
As a special education teacher, I wish I could recommend this book to my parents, but I can't. It's not the religious viewpoint that I object to, it's the worldview.
I felt that this book was written by and targeted to a very narrow demographic: upper-middle-class happily-married Christian stay-home moms who have the privilege of choosing whether or not they will go back to work after they become parents, and who can afford four-year university educations for their children with average or above-average IQs.
  I was initially surprised by the subtle (and not-so-subtle) put-downs of "selfish" (p. 12) working mothers who consign their children to daycare, which the author equates with third-world orphanages, where she says children are subjected to sensory and cultural deprivation (pp. 30-31).
  Then, I was disappointed by the insensitivity to cognitively-impaired and developmentally delayed students. Dr. Angelotti takes pains to emphasize that the appropriate term for her own children is learning difference, not learning disability, but then she has no qualms about referring to developmentally delayed children as "mentally retarded" (pp. 33-34), which many special education professionals, parents, and students would find offensive.
  Early in the book, Dr. Angelotti also seems clearly biased against what she calls "learning a trade," and relegates this to "mentally retarded" students and students who are "bitter and angry" (pp. 16, 34, 60). Much later in the book, Chapter 5 to be exact, she comes around to discussing "trade school" as an option for some students,and she assures us that "others have chosen trade school and gone on to be very successful in their lives" (p. 121), but she has already made it clear that she feels college is the best and most desirable placement for all students, which in my professional experience simply isn't true.
  There is much useful information in this book, but it is significantly overshadowed by its shortcomings. If you are an upper-middle-class happily married Christian stay-home mom whose children are average to above-average intelligence and college-bound, this is the book for you. If not, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
2123418
[...]

What a horribly offensive article. I hope this woman is not the mother of females. I cannot believe that the word feminist is actually associated with these statements.  Princeton should be horrified that their name is being used to spout anti  women nonsense. You know what 'Princeton mom' I have a mother who is supportive and smart, interesting sucessful and has four children with children. My father who is as ' worthy' as any man you are proposing we should be trying to marry would rather throw up on your pastels than have a 'pleasant conversation ' with a  disgusting excuse for a person as you appear to be.
3930031
Let me begin by writing that this book/author has good intentions and is written with a gentle, encouraging tone.  For mothers who are already on the green bandwagon, this book will undoubtedly become their go-to manual.

My criticisms:
-much of the advice would only work if a) you are NOT a working mother, and b) you are committed to almost completely giving up your own personal interests/outside of the home activities/sleep for the first 3 years of your child's life.
-the advice is at best confusing, and at worst, dangerous (I am pro-vaccines, and very concerned that books such as this continue to perpetuate bad science around vaccinations)
-the author has picked only references that support the lifestyle choices that she feels are correct, completely discounting research that would disagree.  one example - the book mentions formula feeding (a reality for many working mothers) only once, and negatively - scientific research does not entirely support this view (one example: [...])

Of course, these are my opinions and I am biased (having formula fed)...I just wish there were more of these dreamy tomes that supported the opposite (and often more realistic) 'way' of raising children.
3852366
If you're looking for child-raising information for toddlers, this isn't it.  This book is more of a reaction to the hyping expectant parents undergo by all the companies wanting to sell their products.

The author, despite peer pressure, does seem to do a good job of reminding herself and the reader that this is stuff PARENTS are talked into or want, NOT what a child needs during the first year or two.  She does a good job in stating and re-stating that what young kids/babies need are loving adults in their lives who care about them and are there.  Parents, relatives, etc.  This is first and foremost in establishing a stable, loving, confident child.  A kid can have all the *stuff*, but if she doesn't have good role models/loving adults who are teaching proper behavior & etc., then what is the point?

Ok, yeah, I've been there, done that, couldn't afford the t-shirt.  I was kind of hoping the book would go a bit further along the developmental timeline, but as the author's son and mine appear to be about the same age, she's not yet there either.

If she'd wait another year or three, this book could be greatly expanded and, imo, more useful.

(500-ft apartments have more than 1 bedroom?  Wow!)
3483339
As a graduate of Barnard College, I would consider myself a feminist.  However, after reading this book, I must say that I am disgusted by the influence of the modern feminist agenda in the media, acadamia and politics, and the subsequent damage which this "feminist" influence causes to children.

New mothers who are trying to make a crucial decision about whether or not to stay home or to return to work are unwittingly given incomplete information.  Isn't the women's movement about educating women and giving them the freedom to choose their own path?  If so, shouldn't feminists be truth-seekers, educating themselves and other mothers about both the pros and cons of daycare?  In Robertson's book, I found  example after example of the opposite happening in our society.

Studies showing detrimental effects of daycare have been vilified, or simply refused publication.  Childhood experts have taken their anti-daycare (or pro-mother-at-home for the child's early years) comments out of their books because of backlash from feminists.  I could continue to give mortifying examples, but please read the book because Robertson does a very thorough job of spelling out for the reader just how bad daycare is for children and why we never hear anyone say so.

I recommend this book to any parent struggling over their employment-childcare decision.  I would also recommend this to mothers raising their children full-time because it will support your choice to put your children first.  Most of all, I recommend this book to policy makers who falsely believe that government funding of center-based childcare will solve problems.  Please read this book.
3429492
Some useful information included in this book, but not exactly what I had hoped for. I feel the author tries to reach a span of consumers but the book is mostly directed to expectant mothers who want to begin to integrate exercise and healthy eating into their pregnancy. I was hopeful the book would offer more information in terms of advice in maintaining an already active healthy lifestyle.
3881315
I found this book to have a lot of useful information, but it starts off very wordy. I read a little bit each night, instead of sitting down and trying to read large sections of the book.  I would get bored and forget what I'd read.
The Pregnancy Diet
There is a recipe section, that if I had the time, may be of some use. However, making cream of tomato soup from scratch is time consuming and more expensive that buying the can and adding milk. All of the recipes in that section need to be made from scratch, even the French fries, not a practical suggestion for someone who has a job.
Part 2 - Nine Months & Counting
The Question & Answer format was really helpful. Most of the questions give you about half a page of really useful information, with facts, but not overstating the answer to the question presented.
Part 3
From postpartum to breastfeeding to Daddy, the section mixes the Q & A format with the informational format from the 1st section of the book. This section is very useful for understand your postpartum 1-6 weeks and tips for breastfeeding holds. The "Expectant Father" section is in the Q & A format, and may have some things that Mommy hasn't realized about Daddy. You're husband or partner may not read the whole book, but is 1 chapter really gonna hurt him?
Part 4 - Special Concerns
This was something that had never even crossed my mind until I read this book. From common colds to measles, as well as how to deal with symptoms of illness. "I have a fever, should I take aspirin?" and a bunch of other questions like that. It is an informative section that some may not even think about when they are expecting.
Pregnancy Notes section
I think that this is a very creative section because you have 2 pages to write down your personal notes for each month. The book also suggests that you show the notes to your doctor, so they know what's going on, since they can't be with you 24/7.
4601554
This book is just loaded with helpful info. Common problems, fixes, suggestions, etc. Super helpful and recommended. HOWEVER, as a working mom and as a mom who in the beginning was almost exclusively pumping I felt so horrible and guilty reading this book. The stuff about how the cortisol levels go up for babies when in daycare away from their mommies, etc etc. It assumes you are a stay at home mom with all the time to spare(nope), who can sleep with your baby (I can't). It made me so angry. But I do recommend it because it does have a lot of useful tips that I didn't find anywhere else. Just get the info but don't pay attention to the guilt-inducing emotional baggage. You do the best you can and your baby is grateful. I recommend getting this book, reading [...] and also getting "<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Breastfeeding-Made-Simple-Seven-Natural-Laws-for-Nursing-Mothers/dp/1572248610/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers</a>" (more scientific/simple in explanations and much more gentle and working-mom supportive in my opinion). The trio will be a perfect guide.
1399517
This book on pregnancy and what to expect has been a big seller since it was published. Some of the information is useful. However, as defined by many, there is no research or background inpformation that is credible. It is filled with many examples or here say of what occurred with the author and people she may or may not have known.

In this day when facts are sometimes difficult to come by, it is important to purchase self help or medical advisory books that have data and research to back up the information. Anyone can create their own facts and pass them off as the truth. We see this daily in the media and in politics. Whenever some women get together horror stories of birth and pregnancy may abound, they are hardly the truth, they may be one person's experience.

That said this book does contain helpful information about diet and care if yourself during pregnancy. But,move careful, take everything with a grain of salt.

Not Recommended For Me.  prisrob 07-15-15
1909942
I bought this book as a potential Christian Childbirth text and while the information was presented in an easy to read and understand manner and each chapter had some great information, I can not recommend this to my loved ones or my clients.
This book felt judgmental and several times I had to force myself to keep reading. It truly feels like this book has a anti-doctor and pro-midwife agenda to it.

It does give great information on how our Creater has created and designed birth physically, mentally, and emotionally.
3181285
I wonder what she was trying to accomplish by her repackaged book? Maybe she was trying to reach more people- the ones who refuse to feel guilty because they are not willing to do right by their baby and give the food  all babies deserve. It's sad a book like this even sells, because in  millenia passed, everyone knew that babies nurse at the breast, bodies  aren't merely sexual, babies deserve their biological norm (mother's milk)  and our society might not be so geared toward the nanny crowd. (see some of  PR's other titles.) It's very unfortunate that Peggy "I Own my Own  Press" Robin had such poor advice on how to continue breastfeeding  because now she is busy lashing out at some of the very people who can help  babies get the breastmilk they deserve.  I'm no cultist- I'm a  physiologist who recognises normalcy when she sees it and an inferior  product when she sees that. Breastmilk is normal, formula is an inferior  choice. Mothers to be, if you feel hesitant about breastfeeding, read  "So that's What they're For! Breastfeeding Basics" by Janet  Tomaro. She'll give you real information- not the results of spying on  people who justify her hostility, as Peggy Robin does.  Watching women  breastfeed can help, and making sure your partner supports you makes the  initial weeks easier.  If you have problems, call a IBCLC- International  Board Certified Lactation Consultant 1-800- TELL YOU.  No book can solve  all problems!  Find a qualified person, or a few!
  I don't think anyone  disparages women who adopt and are given no information on induced  lactation, but I would like to see a positive attitude toward the human  body and the development of human milk banks. Peggy certainly isn't helping  that issue either.  If a parent-to-be visits a pediatrician who does not  actively advocate breastfeeding, she needs to get a copy of the American  Academy of Pediatrics Statement on the Use of Human Milk to that physician.  Peggy is not on your side in ensuring optimal health for you child. Oh, and  yes, those of us with breastfed children do see physicians. No one has ever  said that breastfeeding protects against all illness even though Peggy  would like anti-breastfeeders to think that we put out as much  misinformation as she does.
980664
I think that what LLL has done and does for breastfeeding is invaluable - returning the practice to the realm of the mother and away from the medicalized conceptualization of nursing being only about nutrition and in need of professional guidance. They do however assume that all mothers can work out to stay at home after giving birth and there is a strong moralistic tone in the book. Not surprising, since the founders come from a religious influenced background. Irksome nevertheless.

What I am offended about in this newest edition is that an image of a mother in a BATHROBE is on the cover. This perpetuates the idea that nursing  is to be done in private only, and that is detrimental to advocating for it.
1028654
Because, some of the information is useful but you have to wade through a lot of <you know what> plus the author's ego .....
2294534
This book positions itself as a reference book.  Someone recommended it to me when my son was born and I was very eager to get some basic information on what to do.  It took me a long time to clue in to the fact that this is not a normal/standard child-rearing advice, but a unique theory of attachment parenting.  I remember reading chapters about baby-wearing and sleep-sharing and thinking how clueless I was not to ever have heard about such a common things.

Well, turns out a lot of those things are not all that common.  Plenty of healthy kids sleep in cribs and are moved around in strollers.  And they have normal parents who care about them.  I cared my son for a while in a sling, but had I continued with it as much as the book suggested, my back would break, cause no matter how good a sling is - babies are not weightless.

I also agree with reviewers that say it's very mother-biased.  Luckly my husband didn't bother to read the book, and therefore is an excellently involved parent to our son, that can very well "connect" and understand him.

Additionally, the book made me panic everytime my child would cry - I'm mother, supposed to read his mind and calm him down right away, don't I?  What about when he's misbihaving?  What about if he's got a bad habit?  Took me a while to figure out that saying "no" and lettig him cry a bit will not hurt him, but actually will teach him something.

I'm giving it three stars because the breastfeeding and some general health information is well explained.  But I'm warning other naive new mothers that this book is a very biased pro-attachment parenting book.  If you believe in it - go ahead.  But don't assume that this is the most common sense advice out there.
4639089
I'm on my third pregnancy, and with my first two I chickened out and got the epidural when labor started, but I would like the benefits of an unmedicated birth, so I got this book to help prepare better for labor this time around.
While this has some really great tips on handling an unmedicated birth, it is heavily biased against modern medicine which I found highly irritating. It also has some really outdated material, which being last copywrited in 2003, makes some sense. For example, she mentions that episiotomies are routine, which isn't true anymore, or maybe my doctor is just awesome and knows that unnecessary cutting is dumb. At any rate, it does seem that she only references medical practices done before the early 1980s. Personally, I found her chapter comparing midwifery and obstetrics just flat out obnoxious.
I also found it annoying that the first half of the book was birthing stories. I can understand maybe a few stories at the end, but the whole first half? Give me a break! Other than that, it seems to be a pretty good resource for unmedicated birth.
681090
I don't often feel compelled to write a review on my Amazon purchases, but I couldn't help myself in regards to this book.
Not only are most of these "tips" either common sense or found in any mother's Pinterest board or Parenting magazine, but some of them actually made me almost angry that someone would publish this garbage for new mothers to be influenced by!

I stopped reading after about 20 pages, so maybe it does get better, but telling moms that there is "no reason" to make your own baby food and that throwing a frozen waffle in your baby's crib for them to knaw on so you can buy yourself some extra time in the morning is really far from the type of parenting advice I would give another mother, let alone implement myself.