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nanikeeva's review against another edition
5.0
the science is a bit less rigorously focused on than Oster, but entirely makes up for it with human/psychological components of parenting, communications, etc
megbooks02's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is the best baby book out there that explores the research on controversial baby topics! Most popular baby books are not written by experts, but this one is. If you’re about to have a baby, this will be one of the first books I recommend to you!
nbvanderhyden's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all, “The Bottom Line for Baby,” let me tell you-
Friggin’ amazing. Seriously, I am in awe at how concise, organized, unbiased, and comprehensive this book is. I love that the contents are organized alphabetically like an encyclopedia instead of by content likeness. I love the topics that were covered - from typical ones like pacifier usage and sign language, to sticky ones like screen time and vaccines, and obscure ones like amber necklaces and circumcisions.
I recently read Nora Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck” and although she speaks primarily about issues I haven’t experienced -yet- I very much enjoyed it. One thing she discusses is how “Parenting” (capital P) used to just be “parenting” (lowercase p). Nora’s generation parented their kids. They hung out with them occasionally kept them alive, educated them. Now, Parenting is more complicated and involves sleep coaches and lactation consultants and every parent needs to be an expert. My mom has told me that it is harder for me to be a parent than it was for her. There is so much more information and expectations on parents.
Tina Payne Bryson, author of this book (as well as popular The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline, which I proudly have), also says that parents are “faced with the astounding volume of parenting information” coming not only from our parents and friends, but also from Google, social media, mommy bloggers, and I’ve even used WebMD (although knowing there was a chance the issue was either Cholera or pregnancy).
Bryson takes a scientific look at 70 different issues parents can expect to have questions on. (As a mom of 2 girls, there are only maybe 3 topics in this book that I haven’t discussed or researched on my own.) For each topic, she states the main conflicting views, does the research for you (you overwhelmed, overtired and probably dirty new mom), explains her findings unbiasedly, and then summarizes what they mean. She occasionally offers her own personal note if a topic is one she has had personal experience with to stand in as an example.
Above all, I appreciate that the author clearly states that while she is providing the information, you as the parent are still the only one that knows YOUR child, YOUR family and trusts you to make the best decision. For example, in the section on Baby Powder, the bottom line is not to use it. However, I do use talc-free Burt’s Bees powder on my 22 month old nightly. I love it. It smells good, doesn’t affect my baby, and I feel is just an extra layer of protection from diaper rash as she wears one diaper all night (and, in fact, she has NEVER had a diaper rash). Even though I dismissed this bottom line, I still appreciate the research and findings. I’ve just decided that for my family, baby powder works.
I wish I had this when I had my first baby and plan on buying this for every baby shower I attend in the future. It should be in handy reaching distance for all parents with kiddos under the age of 1, or as needed!
Thank you for allowing me to read this book! It was a total joy and I can't wait to help promote it for you!
Friggin’ amazing. Seriously, I am in awe at how concise, organized, unbiased, and comprehensive this book is. I love that the contents are organized alphabetically like an encyclopedia instead of by content likeness. I love the topics that were covered - from typical ones like pacifier usage and sign language, to sticky ones like screen time and vaccines, and obscure ones like amber necklaces and circumcisions.
I recently read Nora Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck” and although she speaks primarily about issues I haven’t experienced -yet- I very much enjoyed it. One thing she discusses is how “Parenting” (capital P) used to just be “parenting” (lowercase p). Nora’s generation parented their kids. They hung out with them occasionally kept them alive, educated them. Now, Parenting is more complicated and involves sleep coaches and lactation consultants and every parent needs to be an expert. My mom has told me that it is harder for me to be a parent than it was for her. There is so much more information and expectations on parents.
Tina Payne Bryson, author of this book (as well as popular The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline, which I proudly have), also says that parents are “faced with the astounding volume of parenting information” coming not only from our parents and friends, but also from Google, social media, mommy bloggers, and I’ve even used WebMD (although knowing there was a chance the issue was either Cholera or pregnancy).
Bryson takes a scientific look at 70 different issues parents can expect to have questions on. (As a mom of 2 girls, there are only maybe 3 topics in this book that I haven’t discussed or researched on my own.) For each topic, she states the main conflicting views, does the research for you (you overwhelmed, overtired and probably dirty new mom), explains her findings unbiasedly, and then summarizes what they mean. She occasionally offers her own personal note if a topic is one she has had personal experience with to stand in as an example.
Above all, I appreciate that the author clearly states that while she is providing the information, you as the parent are still the only one that knows YOUR child, YOUR family and trusts you to make the best decision. For example, in the section on Baby Powder, the bottom line is not to use it. However, I do use talc-free Burt’s Bees powder on my 22 month old nightly. I love it. It smells good, doesn’t affect my baby, and I feel is just an extra layer of protection from diaper rash as she wears one diaper all night (and, in fact, she has NEVER had a diaper rash). Even though I dismissed this bottom line, I still appreciate the research and findings. I’ve just decided that for my family, baby powder works.
I wish I had this when I had my first baby and plan on buying this for every baby shower I attend in the future. It should be in handy reaching distance for all parents with kiddos under the age of 1, or as needed!
Thank you for allowing me to read this book! It was a total joy and I can't wait to help promote it for you!
ladywhiskers's review against another edition
It's fine, but not as evidence based or best-practice as I would like - e.g. the sleeping recommendations differ from the AAP guidelines.
lynnaeaowens's review against another edition
4.0
A much less thorough "Expecting Better"/"Cribsheet" quick reference-style book. Each topic is presented as an issue with two opposing viewpoints. The research is then summarized and a recommendation is made. I like that the book focuses on research and that Bryson succinctly summarizes complex issues and the existing research supporting both perspectives. I did find it quite simplistic though. I didn't learn much as I've read other more detailed books already. Sometimes presenting things as two opposing perspectives felt forced (like is anyone really arguing against reading to babies??).
4/5
4/5