Kaarla V. (hestia74) reviewed Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care: What You Need to Know for the First Year from America's Most Trusted Nanny on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book has a few good features, like a master list of essential baby items you need to have on hand by the time he/she arrives, a list of activities to do with your baby according to age to stimulate development and encourage exploration, and hazards you need to watch out for while your baby reaches every developmental stage (need for baby proofing). Frost also included a complete section in the book dedicated to exceptional circumstances, like multiple births, preemies and other babies with special needs, and adoption, which was very nice.
Her advice on breastfeeding, however, is atrocious. She recommends putting the baby on a schedule! She even includes sample schedules to manage your day-to-day, which includes specific times to breastfeed. This goes completely against the current advice to breastfeed on demand, especially during the first three months (the "fourth trimester"). There is just no way a breastfeeding mother can establish an adequate milk production by putting the baby on a feeding schedule. On top of that she even suggests that getting enough sleep is what makes a mother produce milk! While sleep IS very important to a breastfeeding mother (any mother!), what truly establishes production is feeding your baby on demand. There's no other way.
In the first chapter, Frost includes a very short sub header titled "What kind of parent do you want to be? I suggest that if you want to be an AP, breastfeeding mother, to skip this book. The good features mentioned above can be found easily on other parenting books, or even for free on the web.
Her advice on breastfeeding, however, is atrocious. She recommends putting the baby on a schedule! She even includes sample schedules to manage your day-to-day, which includes specific times to breastfeed. This goes completely against the current advice to breastfeed on demand, especially during the first three months (the "fourth trimester"). There is just no way a breastfeeding mother can establish an adequate milk production by putting the baby on a feeding schedule. On top of that she even suggests that getting enough sleep is what makes a mother produce milk! While sleep IS very important to a breastfeeding mother (any mother!), what truly establishes production is feeding your baby on demand. There's no other way.
In the first chapter, Frost includes a very short sub header titled "What kind of parent do you want to be? I suggest that if you want to be an AP, breastfeeding mother, to skip this book. The good features mentioned above can be found easily on other parenting books, or even for free on the web.
