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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.