A contented baby or a contented mother? (The Contented Baby's First Year - Gina Ford)

Member Name: rhianjo

Product:	The Contented Baby's First Year - Gina Ford
Date:	12/06/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good ideas, great pictures, informative

Disadvantages: Bit too strict for me

I bought this book from Amazon in a fit of pregnancy hormones when I suddenly realised I had no idea what on earth to do with a little human being.

If you google Gina Ford you soon realise that people either love her or hate her and her methods. I must admit I am sort of inbetween, her ideas are fine but it's obvious that her views are professional rather than mothering.

This is a hardback book with lovely big pictures, some of which are very helpful (e.g. swaddling although I could never get the hang of it myself) with lots of informative text. The book is split into months, so you could read one chapter at a time. It tells you what to expect, what your baby may do and how to regulate their lives into a routine, some games to play and at the end of the chapter she answers 'readers questions' on a topic to provide a helpful case study.

Personally, I think her routine's a too strict. I have a adopted a more laid back routine based on her book and it's working a treat, my son is certainly very happy and very contented. But whether that's just how he is rather than what he does I don't know. I found some information useful like tummy time and how long etc. but it's also an example of how unhelpful the book can be because I then worried because he hated being on his tummy until a week ago.

She covers all the main topics within the month chapters like weaning and sleeping although most of the time there is another book of hers mentioned somewhere!!

It cost about a tenner on amazon, I haven't seen it elsewhere but then I haven't looked but I'm sure you could get a second hand copy on ebay for a few pounds.

If you use this book as a guide only you'll do okay. I'd recommend borrowing it from a library rather than buying it to see if you like her methods first.

Summary: A good reference book but don't get too regimental with it