What to Expect the Toddler Years Reviews

• A good reference, but....

  
  By on 2000-01-24
  I bought this book as a first time parent who wanted something encyclopedic that we could reach for in the middle of the night if necessary, and this book serves that purpose. It has a good index, which is helpful. Unfortunately, the authors seem to take advantage of far too many opportunities to peddle their agenda of weaning children by one year from breast or bottle, as well as getting them to sleep alone in a crib throughout the night. As other reviewers pointed out, they include some inaccurate information about breast feeding, e.g. they say it has no nutritional benefits (does this mean a liquid containing protein and nutrients is the equivalent of a candy cane?) after one year and question if it will somehow delay the development of self comforting skills if the child is able to obtain comfort through nursing. With regard to sleeping through the night alone, they do not simply recommend it, they write that you are depriving your child of the opportunity to learn to self comfort along with a host of other reasons why they believe it can be harmful to comfort your chld at night without commenting on the possible benefits.

  The bias is not in the questions they raise, but rather in the fact that they do not discuss opposing views. It seems to me that the reason the book elicits strong reactions is that it is probably the best one of its type available. The overall quality of the book makes these areas of bias where the authors state their position as gospel stand out as extremely disappointing to the reader who disagrees with the authors particular biases.

  There are serious problems affecting children in our country and a high rate of violence among children and adults. We have school programs to teach empathy in an effort to decrease violence among older children. Perhaps this would not be as necessary if those we look to as experts counseled all new parents to show greater empathy to our children and to worry less about teaching our infants and toddlers to comfort themselves.
  
  

• it's okay

  
  By A2GUG4MHZT2Y36 on 2006-01-03
  I have the whole 'series' and while I found the pregnancy and 1st year books helpful, I hardly ever used this book. The month by month format is helpful for babies/pregnancy, but toddlers don't really change month by month as drastically, so I disliked the organization. I agree with another reviewer that there is a bias/agenda to wean by 1 year and if you are into attachment parenting, this book doesn't fall in line with that at all. I just find it too broad and it hardly ever gave me the answers I wanted.
  
  

• Toddler Information galore

  
  By A2ZB2819N55SMW on 2001-04-18
  I recently purchased this large and informative book (I have a 2.5 year old). I should have bought it sooner, it is filled with a lot of great ideas on all areas of toddlerhood. And all us parents of toddlers know that the "terrible two's" can start way before the child is 2!

  Everyone's child and everyone's parenting is a bit different, so it is hard to guarantee that you will love this book. However, this book covers almost every topic imaginable for toddlerhood and I have found many of the ideas useful and much of the information helpful. It is a good reference tool for parents during a stage in a child's life that can seem pretty hard.
  
  

• Just Average

  
  By APR05BW2HM73D on 2000-07-26
  This book is an excellent reference for any medical concerns a parent might have, and also does well in addressing concerns such as diet, exercise, and TV watching. However, too often the authors' advice reflects western parenting prejudice and does not present research representing opposing viewpoints--although it pretends to do so. For instance, in the 13th month or so, a hypothetical question is, "Why should I wean my baby if we're both enjoying nursing still?" The reply? "Oh, you don't have to...it's your choice...but here's all the reasons why you should." And then they go on to list twelve benefits of early weaning and absolutely none of the benefits of nursing a toddler! If the authors gave even the tiniest disclaimer ("In our opinion...") I wouldn't be so hard about this, but they present every answer as gospel truth.

  In other words, whether or not you will benefit from this book depends on the state of your parenting philosophy. I prefer "The Baby Book" for advice about toddler behavior and needs.
  
  

• Fair to Medium in real life.

  
  By on 2000-02-19
  In my experience as an early childhood teacher, toddlers and early preschoolers are similar in the basic parenting needs. Getting them to become independent is a good policy as long as it doesn't go over board. Why can't kids stay kids a little longer? This book has some excellent ideas but very little that parents can contribute as a reference towards the beginning stages towards emerging into early preschool. Toddlers learn so quickly and many enter a parent's day out program at 18-months-old. The book is a little behind. For parents who would like a book to take them from one reference to another beginning stage, I'd recommend a book we just finished in a parenting class: "Mommy-CEO." This gives 5 golden rules parents can use from infants to teens and we can go back again and again to pick up tips. It's different than Eisenberg and Murkoff's book because it tells us in simple terms exactly how to promote and motivate acceptable behavior from toddlers to teens from parents who have had success. Eisenberg's toddler book is fair to medium in today's fast track families.
  
  
• Huge and Helpful---but Lacks an Easy Access Topic Format
  By A76RYJICPIA5J on 2004-10-24
  
  My husband and I agree that the "What to Expect Toddler Years" belongs in every new parent's library along with the other 2 books in the series. They have truly been our "parenting bibles." There is a great deal of useful information in this comprehensive reference guide regarding 1's, 2's and 3's, and we especially like the detailed medical information that informs without alarming us. However, we are disappointed when we attempt to quickly look up insight and strategies to solve specific behavioral problems (like biting, whining and tantrums) that continue to pop up with our 2 and 3 year-old daughters. Since the chapter format is organized by months of age rather than by topics, we sometimes become frustrated searching for the suggestions we need at the moment because the subject is addressed in a number of places under multiple months of age. Additionally, when we do find all the information (often quite repetitive from month to month), we often want more depth and a greater variety tips to try for each misbehavior. However, we do realize that no one book can have it all-even one with over 900 pages. We also wish to recommend a pocket-sized toddler behavior guide by the same publisher called--"The Pocket Parent". It has hundreds of practical quick-read bulleted suggestions to every behavior concerns you can imagine organized in an A-Z format. "Pocket Parent" is exclusively written for parents of 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5's. This totally up-beat little book is a great companion for the more encyclopedic classic "What to Expect Toddlers". "The Pocket Parent" addresses alphabetically such common concerns as Bad Words, Bedtime and Mealtime Refusals, Biting, Gimmes, Lying, Morning Crazies, Separation Anxiety, Sibling Rivalry, Tantrums, and Whining. . Consider adding both books to your home library for quick reference when you're feeling worried or totally frazzled regarding the often challenging moments of the toddler years. Keep in mind that you as parents are the true experts of your children and filter through your personality and parenting style the information in these books and use what makes good sense for your particular family.
  
  
• Very dissappointed
  By A27LY8MTLG3CUX on 2004-12-28
  I read What to Expect When Your Expecting Cover to Cover, and found a lot of great information and encouragement throughout my 3 trimesters.
  I did not read What to Expect the First Year, but I just received the Toddler Years, and have only read the first 3 months. Already, I am severely dissappointed in the book's content. Most of it is common sense, information that most mother's should already know, or have easy access to. There is no encouragement to continue breastfeeding past 12 months, in fact it makes it sound like extended breastfeeding is a waste of time, causing nothing but independance problems. I have a 14 month old who I plan to nurse for another year, and I found it incredibly discouraging to read mostly negative comments in regards to extended nursing. I also notice that other forms of Attachment Parenting are not encouraged. I realize that this is a mainstream, cover-all-basis book, however, I think that it is incredibly biased and cold hearted. Any mother who believes in Attachment Parenting, but does not have much support will most likely give up on their insticts if they read this book. I am lucky to have other sources of support, and am strong enough to overlook the ignorance of many of the comments, but I feel it is incredibly important to share my thoughts with unsuspecting mamas.
  
  
  
• DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY
  By A3MLR7W0MAKC4E on 2006-05-08
  DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. There are many, many other books out there that will provide sound advice for raising your toddler. This book is awful. Here are some of the reasons why:
  
  1. It is poorly organized and extremely difficult to find particular issues of interest if you are seeking advice on a specific subject. If you do find it in the index, the issue is probably discussed on 10 different pages so you have to flip around from one section to another in the hope that at least one of those pages will address the point on which you need guidance.
  
  2. It is WAY TOO LONG. Don't be fooled that the weight of this book or number of pages means you will be getting more information than other books. Every single "question" topic begins with a wordy and pointless paragraph that doesn't provide any insight or advice before even attempting to start getting to the point. Only about 10% of this book actually provides useful, substantive information. As a parent of a toddler, I don't have time to search through the authors' ramblings in the hope they will ultimately get to the point. It is extremely frustrating.
  
  3. The authors feel the need to "preach" their particular political position on various issues over and over and over again. Even if you agree with them, it's totally unnecessary. For example, they include discussions about the importance of teaching your child to recycle and respect the earth. OK, fine. But they then raise this point over and over when it is a totally unnecessary (NAGGING) aside - like when talking about placing a cover on the floor so your child can enjoy a messy art project, they mention newspaper as a possible cover but can't resist adding "(you can recycle it later)." It is annoying.
  
  4. Almost 100% of the advice they give is worthless because they always add caveats. For example, they will say something like "be sure to praise your child so he will develop good self esteem" only to follow shortly thereafter by saying "but don't praise him too much or he'll think your opinion is meaningless or will develop an inflated ego." Another exmple, "set limits for your child so she will be less likely to have tantrums" followed by "don't set too many limits or your child will feel stifled." You spend hours reading the book, and are still left as clueless as you were before you started.
  
  5. Much of the "advice" is ridiculously self-evident. Do you really need to be told that physical affection is important for a toddler?
  
  6. Some of the advice is contradictory. For example, they recommend against any television for young children, but then talk about ways of distracting them from a tantrum by acting out a favorite TV character's voice or a song from a TV show.
  
  7. The authors expect you to be an absolutely perfect parent and always say and do the right thing and never lose patience with your toddler's fifth tantrum of the day. You need realistic advice to deal with the real world.
  
  Don't waste your money here. Find a book written by authors who are not so self indulgent and who are more interested in giving you direct and useful advice without all of the meaningless blabber.
  
  
• Great information but the format is not as effective...
  By on 2002-02-08
  as in Eisenberg's earlier books, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "What to Expect The First Year."

  Like those two volumes, "What to Expect Toddler Years" is arranged month-by-month. This doesn't work as well since toddler development is much less predictable and more individualistic than infants development; hence, the issue in question might be found in "The Twentieth Month" even though your toddler is only, say, 15 months old. Also, the monthly "milestone" lists for toddlers are guaranteed to make you neurotic, as toddler development is much more individual than infant development.

  However, the book contains a lot of great information and advice. I think it would have been better to organize it into sections such as "Feeding," "Discipline," "Sleeping," "Playtime," etc., rather than trying to break it down month-by-month, but taken as a whole it is a valuable reference. Just don't panic if your 13-month-old is already throwing tantrums and they aren't addressed til Month 24, and if your 18-month-old still hasn't mastered a spoon even though the list says she "should" be able to do it by now.
  
  

• I have to
  By A1CT5Y62BPBAE4 on 2004-12-14
  I got to the part about breastfeeding, and stopped reading. I mean breastfeeding coming between my husband and I. Forestalling development of self comforting skills. Increase of ear infection. if you nurse beyond a year. I did not read any reviews on this book prior to buying and sort of wish I had. So personal I think the book is outdated. Would much rather read something along the lines of the Girlsfriends Guide to Toddlers or the Emotional Life of Toddlers. My daughter is still nursing at 20 months, and has recently moved from the family bed into her own bed. At he rown request. And I will contiune nursing until my daughterdecided otherwise. SO anything with such a negative attitude to nursing is sat on the shelf until it is resold on Ebay.
  
  
• Good, but disappointed
  By AG4JGJPSR7TJM on 2005-04-21
  As a first time mother, I loved the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting. "What to Expect the First Year" was a good book too, however I was disappointed by the blatant explanation of masturbation in infants. Exploration of their bodies yes, masturbation no - that is something totally different.
  
  The above book "What to Expect The Toddler Years" was mostly good.
  
  What really turned me off and was disappointing was the section about homosexuality and the book's attempt to diagnose it in a toddler. I returned the book as soon as I read this part.
  
  The opionated statements about masturbation and homosexuality about children in this book are not scientifcally based and are not appropriate. When present these behaviors are usually not the norm.
  
  I thought the book was to cover topics the majority of parents could "Expect" in their infant and toddler.
  
  
• the best toddler book out there of its kind, a true lifesave
  By A1O4PRNUJ5DLM9 on 2000-01-26
  The authors write the most comprehensive survey of all aspects of parenting a toddler. In particular, I find the advice on behavioral issues so helpful. Something I didn't "expect" to be so enlightening and thorough. The common sense format makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. A must for any parent!

  I'd also like to comment on the customer review from NY dated 1/24. I do not think the author's biases on nursing and self comforting stand out any more than any other author on the wide variety of subjects on children that are out there. We are ALL passionate about raising our children the way we think is best for each and every one of us, including the authors. I'd be surprised if they were NOT apparent. I'm happy to know that you still found it helpful!
  
  

• Practical and useful -- a must read
  By on 1999-09-20
  Don't be put off by a few negative comments in these reader reviews. There is a reason this series is a national best seller. I have young twins and this book (and the entire series) has been simply invaluable. I use it as a starting point/reference, read a few other books that have different perspectives (I like Penelope Leach but think Dr. Sears is much too liberal for me) and then apply common sense. That is what parenting is all about, right?
  
  
• Easy to read, but not always scientifically accurate
  By A2960ZUR401XJ6 on 2006-01-11
  The "What to Expect" books have become Gospel to pregnant women and new moms everywhere, but I take issue with some of the "studies" they generically refer to when citing what to most readers would seem like facts. Such as the claim that breastfeeding a child over the age of one has "no nutritional benefits." This is just plain false. Do the authors think the nutrients, immunoglobins and healthy cells contained in breastmilk just "disappear" after our toddlers' first birthday party? The book is "dumbed down" for easy digestibility, but I often think the facts are overlooked as a result.
  
  Also -- tackling issues such as physical affection with our toddlers in terms of what's appropriate and what's not appropriate is utterly ridiculous (one of the entries refers to kissing our babies on the lips). Who are they to say? It's almost creepy that they even try.
  
  
• good as a reference - but not so good with parenting advice
  By A1R804ZIEQJDMW on 2000-05-12
  While I think this publication is an excellence medical and milestone reference guide, I feel it is too heavy handed with many parental "advice". The book gives short lame reasons why a mother must wean by 1 year or suffer the "consequences", and co-sleeping is painted in the most horrible light, regardless of the fact that many many families, including myself have sucess with co-sleeping and can be insulting with comments like I am "cowardly" for following my motherly insincts and not letting my baby cry it out when she is in need. My recommendation is to see this book as a REFERENCE and not a be all end all guide to parenting. Parents should follow their hearts and their instinct and not always what it says in some book.
  
  
• There are better resources out there
  By A2KOKH3LC4CZRO on 2001-06-19
  This book is probably helpful for basic first-aid and illness care. But the negative stance on breastfeeding past age 1 irritated me. If I weren't so comfortable that I am doing the right thing by continuing to nurse my 14-month-old, this book would have made me guilt-ridden. For a series that tries to extoll the virtues of raising a healthy child through the right diet, this forced weaning attitude is a serious contradiction. American women need to be educated about the value of prolonged breastfeeding for their health and their babies' health. This book does the opposite.
  
  
• Some good information -- too much oversight
  By AFEU7MGZMZ677 on 2000-08-20
  Overall a good book in terms of sheer information. Having the stages to refer to is very helpful to use as a guideline. However, the authors completely ignore the possibility of sleep sharing, which is a common practice among parents who practice attachment parenting. Detaching yourself from your child at night is something every parent should consider carefully. Americans, especially, take for granted that "crying your child out" is the right thing to do in all cases, and this book does nothing to dispel that tired, false, myth.

  A good read, but, as with anything, do what feels right. Don't let this, or any, book convince you to do something that feels wrong in your heart.
  
  

• The Best Toddler Book There Is
  By on 1999-04-06
  The "What To Expect" series of books are the best-organized, most balanced series on childcare I have found (and I have browsed through many and purchased many others). The fact that the authors provide, among other things, opinions on what might work for a given child seems to unduly annoy a number of parents and reviewers, even though their pediatricians presumably hold and deliver opinions as well. The book does NOT, contrary to the reviews, encourage mothers to stop breastfeeding at the age of one. It does point out, however, that continuing beyond then will make it more difficult to stop. This has been true for every woman I know who nursed a child beyond the age of one, whether they did so intentionally and happily or whether they simply were too exhausted to wean. As is true of all child care books, you should use only those ideas that make sense to you to help you make sense of the often incomprehensible -- the toddler.
  
  
• You can't trust information in this book!
  By on 2001-09-27
  The books' information on breastfeeding after 1 year stunned and outraged me! If from the beginning they make such outrageously false statements as "nursing beyond one year does not have any nutritional benefits", etc., how can you trust the rest of the book? There is tons of research that proves beyond any doubt that extended breastfeeding is good both for the baby and for the mother, but somehow they bluntly ignore it and tell you that it's actually bad! What they basically say is OK, you can go on nursing if you want to, but here are 10 reasons why it's bad for your child and why you shouldn't do it. This just left me speechless! It's OK for me though, because I read other sources and did my own research on breastfeeding long before I bought this book, but what about other mothers who rely on this well-known and supposedly trustworthy series of "what to expect"? I urge every mother who thinks about continuing nursing after first birthday to ignore this book and read other literature, like "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears or Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma J. Bumgarner.
  
  
• Well Intentioned Compendium of Useful Information
  By on 2001-11-29
  I agree that there are areas of this volume that show a particular bias, as with the notion of breastfeeding after the age of one year. As a Mom whose child nursed well after his first birthday, I can still say that there were many, many times I reached for this book. Being a first time parent, I often find it comforting to know that this sequal to 'What to Expect the First Year' is only as far as my book case. -- In my experience, the developmental milestones have often provided the reassurance I was looking for, and if (like me) you've never shared your daily existence with a toddler before, you might be surprised by some of the behaviors/situations that arise. No book will ever be written that will be the 'perfectly adequate and correct path to raising the child of your dreams'. -- Happily, we're all far too unique for such a 'one size fits all' approach. This little volume simply offers a perspective of what some other parents have encountered along with a possible response. -- After all, it is only one resource. It offers a starting point, opens the dialogue. That's all that a book should reasonably be expected to do. I am grateful for, not resentful of, this book's intentions. I always read or discuss issues pertaining to parenting with the notion that it is up to me as a parent to do the research, evaluate the knowledge I get and frame my own point of view of what is relevant for my particular child and family.
  
  
• What to expect from this book? Garbage!
  By A25FSY93BF0VG on 2002-09-07
  The authors' tone is that of know-it-alls, yet, I see their credentials nowhere in the book! Hmmm...maybe, they have none!?
  The information given is simply their opinion presented as facts.
  The question/answer format is maddening and redundant.

  I stopped reading the book when I got to the section on why you MUST wean at 1 year old. Their reasons (read:opinions) are not based on any scientific data or research, and they go against what the American Academy of Pediatrics and all other medical organizations in the world recommend.

  Why an educated parent would want to get his/her info from a source as this obviously ignorant pair of women is beyond me...

  If publishers didn't just care about money, they wouldn't let this kind of garbage be printed.

  My copy of this book was picked up with th erecycling yesterday. Good riddance.
  
  

• medical errors
  By A9TV4FYXST6M4 on 2005-02-01
  The authors are totally irresponsible to state that there are no benefits to breastfeeding past one year. There are a multitude of health benefits. In fact, the older the child, the more concentrated the immunities, antioxidants, etc. The Am. Ac. of Ped. recommends a bare minimum of one year, and after that, as long as the child and mother desire to do so, and the World Helath Org reecommends a bare minimum of 2 years. The human brain is not fully formed until age two, and thus, natural milk developed especially for humans is extremely important during this time.
  Also, crying it out is not necessarily safe if it has to be used too often. There are dangers of brain re-wiring for extended periods of crying due to abandonment. Your sleep is not! more valuable than your child's security (unless you are so sleep-deprived that you endanger your child's physical or emotional health or welfare).
  Besides these, book is useful.
  
  
• Moms On Call
  By on 2000-09-01
  Moms are always on call. The authors are very good at helping us to see this. It's a good book to have around as the days with toddlers can drive one simply insane. But please don't let children cry it out. Babies, children and even teens need prompt attention when tears begin to flow. For the things that this book has missed, buy Jodie Lynn's book, "Mommy-CEO" and Vicki Iovine's toddler book. They will make you laugh while keeping "What to Expect" on hand for an age related tip. Yes, it will help us to see "stuff" but the other two helps us to understand managing a toddler isn't the most terrible thing in life and laughing sure does help.
  
  
• This book is poorly fomatted and inaccurate
  By A2HC9MB7RTPCXX on 2002-03-29
  As the parent of a toddler, I find very few uses for this book. The question and answer format is impractical and difficult to navigate if you're in a hurry (and what parent isn't?). The section on common illnesses is poorly categorized by the name of the illness (if I knew that, I wouln't be looking it up). In addition, much of the information is just plain wrong. For example, the authors state that breastfeeding loses its value after the first year. This is in direct conflict with the World Health Organization's statement that children should nurse for at least two years. There are many other inaccuracies in the book. In short, I would avoid this book.
  
  
• This book could be harmful
  By A1HI2IX0NKPFY on 2003-02-26
  ... I was quickly appalled at much of the "facts" presented by the book. It is quite one-sided and often missses the true needs of many toddlers. Nursing beyond the first year has many benefits, including in the middle of night for some children. This book only gives one side on this issue (as well as many others) and it's the negative one. I was also appalled by the recipe section. It contained only a few recipes and most of them were desserts. Toddlers don't need desserts even those that are "healthier." I could go on, this book is off base more than it's on. Overall, I feel sorry for the children whose parents follow this book's advice.
  
  
• Very Good, But Buyer Should Still Beware
  By AVTI1QBNYU045 on 2004-09-29
  Set up in a Q & A format, the What to Expect parenting books are full of interesting questions, practical information and worthy advice. No first-time parent can afford to be without one.
  
  Which is not to say these tomes are gospel. No, rather than divine inspiration, the ultimate wellspring of facts, ideas and opinions is purely human. And while the humans involved (Dr. Murkoff, et al) are qualified professionals and certainly very well-intentioned, they do not come to the readership without their prejudices and cultural agenda. And while we certainly cannot fault them for this, for we all have professional and personal biases, it is important to recognize that the biases are there and when these biases are engaged. Not always an easy task
  
  One of these biases is the consistent (and probably unconscious) favoring of consumer culture. For example, the authors take the stance that toddlers and preschoolers should learn as early as possible to go to sleep on their own -- a perfectly valid philosophical stance. They go on to discourage parents from rocking, singing or otherwise cajoling little ones to sleep. So far, so good. If, however, you find yourself parent to a child who simply cannot get the hang of lulling himself to sleep, Murkoff encourages tapes, light displays and, in extreme cases, a product that attaches to the crib and simulates the sensations of a car ride.
  
  Well, which is it? Should a child have to get herself to sleep or not? And if we allow that some kids develop this capacity later than others, why is it okay to use plastic gadgets from the store but not mom or dad's loving arms? In the long run, isn't the latter healthier? If not, a doctor should give scientific data supporting her position OR admit that the position is not scientific, but philosophical. Murkoff does neither.
  
  (In at least one case, this pro-marketplace bias even defies reason and works against the health of children. In Toddler Years, Murkoff denounces the apple boycott of the late `80s, early `90s -- an indefensible position. What should the public do? Buy and feed their children apples they know to be tainted???)
  
  And speaking of science, don't look for much in Murkoff's arguments concerning the vaccine controversy. Murkoff understandably takes the orthodox position on vaccines. Her disdain for those who raise concerns is a little harder to understand, but these days there are enough people with enough concerns that the issue can't be readily ignored and so Murkoff feels a need to address them.
  
  However, instead of mustering data to defend the orthodox position, Murkoff stoops to ad hominem attacks against the dissenting minority. Considering last year's revelations that when combined, the mercury level in childhood vaccines did indeed exceed safety standards (safety standards for adults, to boot), it behooves every professional to be professional in her thinking and method when arguing for one side or the other.
  
  (NOTE: parents should check with their pediatricians to see whether thimerisol and other mercury additives are present in the vaccines used in his/her practice, and to what level.)
  
  These are not petty criticisms. They are important tools for understanding Murkoff and the non-scientific aspects of her advice. Readers need to be aware of any expert's bias so as to separate fact from opinion. There is so much in What to Expect that is wonderful and useful, but parents still need to make philosophical decisions based on what's best for their families. Knowing where Murkoff is coming from helps us to sift out those ideas which will not work for everybody and judge them against our own individual needs and beliefs.
  
  
  
  
  
• Very Helpful
  By A1IOYAXZ2MTTZ9 on 2005-02-21
  I initially didn't buy this book based on the reviews. But, after I read a little bit of it at the bookstore - I had to get it. I found several of its topics VERY helpful. YES, some things in the book seem like common sense, but with a first child and lack of sleep and so much information out there, it's nice to get a quick, concise OPINION based on the information the authors have. We do not use this book as a bible for raising our child, but we do get some great ideas from it. We have really enjoyed having this book on hand, just as a quick second opinion when it's not something important enough to call the pediatrician. Most of our friends have older children or no children so it's handy to have in the house. We enjoyed the previous two books and have found this one just as helpful.
  
  
• Fairly useful
  By A2MOBMVHECYVLE on 2000-05-20
  This is very comprehensive. Thank goodness there is a comprehensive index, becuase the arrangement is a bit off-putting.

  The chapters are broken down "chronologically" - The Thirteenth Month, The 25th to 27th Month etc etc.

  Within each section it contains "milestones" type information - carefully labelled 'what your child MIGHT be doing' (it reinforces that children develop at different rates, but it still does encourage you to compare 'your child' with some 'norm'.

  After that there are sections on 'What You May Be Concerned About' - for example, at the 19th month it might be 'night wandering, 'underactivity' or 'unclear speech' amongst other things. Thing is, these are not necessarily chronologically-linked. So you need to read right through the Table of Contents and use the index (some page refs are wrong, by the way)to find the topic you are interested in. Then follow sections on 'What You Need To Know' and 'What Your Child Needs To Know', again int he age-specific sections.

  I think it would be much better arranged thematically. Perhaps a short section on things that really are age-specific. There are subsequent sections on things such as special needs children, toilet learning, feeding.

  I have found the information on illness particularly useful and at other times much other information useful, interesting or reassurring.

  I think this book earns its place in a parent's reference library. Its usefulness extends well beyond the toddler years, and for some things is still good in the early years of school (by which time life is so busy there isn't a lot of time for consulting books!)
  
  

• Good for a guilt trip
  By on 2001-11-12
  While I did appriciate the medical reference guide. I thought that the authors were quite biased. The overall attitude of this book is 'if you don't do it the way we do it then you're doing it wrong'
  The book gives reasons that have no medical basis as to why a mother must wean by 1 year. Anything other than letting your baby cry it out is seen as 'cowardly' and co-sleeping is completely looked down upon and discouraged.
  I found this book to be insulting, as if by following my insincts I was actually harming my child.
  
  
• Stick to what you know
  By A329EGWNLDZPO7 on 2006-03-06
  The authors of this book really need to stick to what they know. Extended breastfeeding and it's benefits are clearly not one of them.
  
  They couldn't possibly have even researched the topic properly because the information they offer is almost laughable. Please, at least get on board with what the AAP and the WHO are recommending. They don't even do that.
  
  I might have taken this book filled with opinions (since they're very selective on facts) a little more seriously if more research had gone into it.
  
  What frightens me is that so many women use this book as their parenting "bible". Time for a new bible.
  
  

• Reader Rabbit: Playtime for Baby

• What to Expect the First Year
• The Happiest Toddler on the Block: The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year-Old
• The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers
• Toddler 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for your Toddler
• The Toddlers Busy Book