Ashley B. (monkeybunnsmama) reviewed Disappointed, information is WELL outdated on 7/12/2009 + 6 more book reviews

I was disappointed by most of this book. First of all it was published in 2003 and the breastfeeding and cloth diapering information is terribly outdated even for that time! Don't refer to this book for any info about breastfeeding-instead refer to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book). You do not need to use a wash cloth on your nipples to "prepare" them for breastfeeding. Also to limit your child to feeding on a schedule you are more likely to have supply issues. Also the WHO and AAP say to breastfeed for at least a year-not 6-9 months as this book states. As for cloth diapering don't think you have to use plastic pants and prefolds to get the wonderful benefits of cloth diapers. I make cloth diapers (I make them to sell) and know you can use great materials and a waterproof outer layer to prevent leaks.

I had to roll my eyes at a lot of the things in this book. I felt like they were saying if you don't do it this way you're just wrong and a bad parent. I also got the feeling that in order to follow the Montessori method you need to pretty well neglect your child and let them do whatever they want! This book says to let your child use GLASS pitchers and glasses to learn how to drink.

I am choosing to use a few suggestions from this book-that's why I give it a 2. I do believe that parents over parent and need to let their child do more for themselves. My son just started walking so we let him walk in to and out of stores on his own. I also let him do a lot of other things on his own so he can become independent. However he will remain in a high chair attached to a chair so he can be on our same level, and I (gasp) eat dinner with him (and pretty much always have). I am a busy work at home mom so I don't always have time to let him linger and struggle nor do I have the patience to let him scream because he gets frustrated.

I think this book could have easily been written with a different tone. It should have given suggestions and ideas and presented them in a way that you feel secure in your parenting style and what things you choose to participate in. I thought this book would give me better ideas of what to do with my child and ways to help teach/let him teach himself. If this is what you're expecting you might be disappointed.

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