The Ministry of Parenting Your Baby

by William Sears, Martha Sears

Make your baby's first year the joyful experience God intended it to be.

WHEN A NOTED PEDIATRICIAN is married to a registered nurse skilled in child care, they share a vast knowledge of the needs of babies. But after they have seven children of their own, they can truly speak with authority. In this book, Bill and Martha Sears share what they have learned so far-both personally and professionally-about a baby's first year.

THEY FOCUS ON "ATTACHMENT PARENTING," the approach they have found works best in bringing mother, father, and baby together as a family. New or expecting parents will find helpful details in the practical aspects of this parenting approach,
• Knowing when to respond to the baby's cries
• Enhancing the bonding of mother, father, and baby
• Establishing guidelines for breastfeeding and weaning
• Understanding the baby's temperament
• And staying close to baby even while otherwise occupied

THOUGH THIS BOOK IS COWRITTEN, both Bill and Martha share occaesional "solo" thoughts, providing viewpoints from both the father's and mother's perspective in th process of ministering to a new baby's needs. Together, they inspire the reader with a parenting style that lays the foundations for a lifetime of closeness between parents and child.

Genres: Parenting

164 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Dr. Sears, or Dr. Bill as his "little patients" call him, is the father of eight children as well as the author of over 30 books on childcare. Dr. Bill is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Dr. Bill received his pediatric training at Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto -- the largest children’s hospital in the world, where he served as associate ward chief of the newborn nursery and associate professor of pediatrics. Dr. Sears is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a fellow of the Royal College of Pediatricians (RCP).Dr. Bill is also a medical and parenting consultant for BabyTalk and Parenting magazines and the pediatrician on the website Parenting.com.

Reviews

[Marian Kvamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal! I read it for the first time when I was 7 months pregnant on my mom's recommendation. After recently experiencing some parenting style insecurity with my now 8 month old, I decided to read it again. I finished it feeling inspired and encouraged in the attachment parenting style. I plan to reread it often.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. I totally agree with most things, only a few I have minor issues with. Overall a great read!

[Kaitlynn Eby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has really helped me in motherhood!!! Such a blessing

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co-authored by a pediatrician and a registered nurse. Coming from an attachment perspective on birthing/parenting through the first year, this book gives a lot of encouragement for parents to follow their instincts. I especially like how it acknowleges multiple times that every child is unique, and therefore the methods that are encouraged by a doctor, well-meaning friend, or other advice-giver should be considered in conjunction with prayer and common sense. Parents are entitled to receive divine help concerning their stewardship. Another valuable point to this book is its positive slant toward the labor and birth process. The co-authors are Christian, and they point out that the Biblical word for "anguish" in childbirth (John 16:21)can also be translated as "pressure." So it is appropriate to regard the process of labor and birth as work, or pressure, but not necessarily something to fear or resist. Pain is NOT an intrinsic part of every labor, but intense sensation is. I also especially like the guidelines for breastfeeding/weaning that are covered in the text, as well as the section on baby-wearing.