Baby-led Parenting: The First Year

by Gill Rapley, Tracey Murkett

Learn how to tune in to your baby and develop a strong and loving relationship from birth with this practical and authoritative guide. Covering the situations and dilemmas that many parents encounter in the first year, it will give you the confidence to follow your baby's lead and make your baby feel loved and secure from the start.





- Understand babies' thoughts and needs


- Recognise what your baby is trying to tell you


- Negotiate sleeping, feeding and crying without stress


- Connect with your natural nurturing instincts





Baby-led Parenting: The First Year will help you enjoy the first year of parenting and create the perfect foundation for a calm and happy childhood.

Genres: Parenting

Unknown Binding

First published November 7, 2013

Reviews

[Karen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, this book is thoroughly useful. I loved its measured tone and empowering language, and its clear explanations of how babies’ behaviour has evolved to meet their basic survival needs.

It is clearly divided into chapters along the main themes of meeting baby, feeding, sleep etc: those crucial subjects for a new parent. Particular highlights include p65 on the father’s role during a babymoon period, the excellent baby-centred advice around bottle feeding, and the long list of suggestions to soothe a crying baby.

Throughout, and especially in the chapter on communication, Rapley & Murkett encourage new parents to develop empathy with the baby’s point of view, as well as reassuring them that responding promptly and positively to a newborn’s needs will foster independence, security, and a strong bond between parent and child.

If I had to come up with a criticism, it would be that a glossier, more colourful book, might have wider appeal with new parents. But this really is a positive book full of well-evidenced, practical information, from authors who are well-respected authorities in their field.

[Chrysti Hedding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of this book is just plain common sense, in my opinion. But then again common sense isn't so common anymore. Of course you're going to follow your baby's cues (yes, even if you follow a routine). If she's hungry feed her. Put her to bed when she acts sleepy. No rigid routines. Of course, I'm a fan of routine (NOT schedules), but my 2nd baby isn't. :) So this book has been good to help me understand her rhythm. I also liked what she had to say about baby-led bottle feeding. I didn't agree with a number of things that Ms. Rapley discussed in this book, but I knew that would be the case when I picked it up at the library. I specifically didn't like the chapter on sleep because I'm a firm believer in teaching a baby how to sleep.

[Noni Rosliyani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tries to balance other parenting books, which usually contain rules for babies sleeping for how many hours, how many hours to eat, and so on. Trying to get readers to read baby instincts. How many hours they want to sleep, what time to eat, it's all up to the baby. In fact, there is no rule that babies must sleep alone, babies cannot be carried when they cry.

I myself am not very suitable if I apply all of them. It's been proven in my first child, when everything was based on baby's instinct, my life was literally "taken away" by him. So, even though Gill Rapley doesn't advise us to establish a daily routine for babies. For me, the daily routine is very important. A few rules are also necessary because our life is not all for babies.

So, I can only take a little from this book. Namely so that we can be more relaxed dealing with babies. Do not set expectations too high or be ambitious in pursuing milestones as applied by experts. Because every baby is unique.

[Syakira Rahma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains very general information about taking care for a baby. I feel like i already done baby led parenting since my baby was born. I think this book is good for pregnant parents to prepare for what’s coming, but not very useful for parents with older babies.
The book is no better that the BLW book, but i enjoyed reading the book.

Nb: the Indonesian version is terrible.

[Aija Nelsone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Domāju, ka noderēja kā jaunam vecākam bez pieredzes. Tā pa īstam noteikti varēšu novērtēt, kad mazais būs rokās un būšu ņēmusi vērā grāmatā dotos padomus.