babyreview.com.au

What to Expect The First Year, by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

I must admit that as I am writing this I have a soundly sleeping baby and have a hot cup of tea next to me! But not so long ago this seemed like a far off dream, as I lived to baby’s beck and call. I was constantly in a daze and needless to say, constantly drinking cold tea. It was in these first months, in particular, that I referred to What to Expect, The First Year on a daily if not hourly basis, and I felt reassured to know that it was always at close hand with sound advice and reassurance!

I found What to Expect, The First Year to be a comprehensive all in one parenting book (has the size and weight to match) with practical and realistic information, helpful references and in general was presented in a clear and easily digestible manner. It also has a thorough Contents and Index which made it very user friendly, which I found to be an important factor in those first months of being an anxious new mother and the fatigue that comes with the territory. Furthermore, I thought it was good that sometimes topical issues such as breastfeeding or bottle, getting baby to sleep through the night and going back to work etc. were discussed neutrally, presenting all sides of the topic.

What to Expect, The First Year has a comprehensive month by month guide and also has special sections on topics such as making the transition to parenthood and changing lifestyles, breastfeeding, becoming a father, from only child to older child, starting solids, stimulating baby, first aid, recipes and much more. It also has a section in each chapter of questions and answers which are wide ranging, sometimes being just the thing you need to know and other times great for some interesting/tasty reading.

It is now up to it’s 4^th Edition and is one in a series of What to Expect books, covering preconception to the toddler years. There is also a What to Expect, Kids range all of which can be found at http://www.whattoexpect.com which also has lots of other good information and fun things to peruse.

A beautiful gift for Baby is a classic board book. Babies love looking at the illustrations in the book,  listening to your reading voice, touching the book and sometimes chewing the pages.

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle is always a favourite. From comments on earlier posts, this book seemed a popular Christmas gift for Baby. The caterpillar with his insatiable appetite for all sorts of things, teaches Baby to count as he carries on eating and helps Baby learn about nature with his final metamorphosis. A brilliant book which recently celebrated it’s 40th anniversary.

Another classic book which is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary, is ‘Goodnight Moon’ written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. A perfect read for Baby at bedtime, with rhythmic words and calming images.

I am finding that my Baby is currently enjoying ‘Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes’ written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Reading this book is like taking my Baby on an adventure around the world, as my Baby is introduced to babies from all corners of the globe. The illustrations are gorgeous and Baby inevitably tries to touch the illustrations of hands in the book – very cute.

What book is your baby’s favourite?

My baby touched tinsel for the first time and was intrigued by it. She twirled it through her fingers, giggled at it’s texture and was mesmerised by it’s sparkle.

I was adding the finishing touches to the Christmas tree, hanging decorations and lollies wrapped in foil (out of reach of baby – of course). Baby looked at the tree quizzically – probably wondering why a live pine tree was in the living room!

I placed baby’s final presents under the tree. From reading all the comments, it seems books have been a popular choice for baby presents this year. Under our tree, there are a mixture of baby presents – toys, books and dresses! One of the delights of having a baby girl is dressing her up. I’ve bought baby dresses by Country Road, Origami, Sprout and Pumpkin Patch. Her summer wardrobe is set to be more extensive than mine!

Books

Babies adore nursery rhymes, especially those recited by a parent with an animated voice and face.  Hand actions are an added bonus in nursery rhymes like Incy Wincy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. My baby’s face lights up when we sing Patty Cake together and surprisingly The Grand Old Duke of York.

I recommend Mother Goose Treasury by Raymond Briggs as a comprehensive collection of nursery rhymes. The illustrations are fun and I’ve found nursery rhymes I remember from my childhood, just by flicking through the pages.

We recently received the Mother Goose Treasury as a gift and it has provided baby with an endless supply of enchanting entertainment. Books definitely make great gifts for baby this Christmas – what are some of your favourites?