Babyhood

by Penelope Leach

Book Overview

Leach shows, almost month by month, what your baby will do so that you can understand and anticipate your child's development and behavior. She explains what is happening to the child--physically,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394714369
• ISBN13: 9780394714363
• Release Date: June 1983
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 440 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

IT MAY LOOK OUTDATED BUT . . . .

I absolutely loved this book. It wasn't that terribly interesting to me in the first year of my son's life but in the second year I always turned to this book when I needed to be reminded why my son kept doing things that drove me bonkers!! The author gently and very supportively explains the mother child interaction in a way that gave me so much more patience for my little man. I have to say that I agree with the other reviewer who found that the author doesnt try to give moms a guilt trip like so many other books do. There's a whole bunch of Parenting books out there that can make you feel really small but this one helps you take a deep breath and plunge back into the fray knowing that you are doing the best you could!

Babies haven't changed - still a relevant resource!

While I share the disappointment that this book has not been updated, I disagree wholeheartedly with the charge that this book has little relevance for the contemporary parent. I presume most people who are reading 'baby' books are using several resources, and if you couple what you know from the more contemporary resources with this book, I think you'll not only come away with an understanding of early child development, but perhaps a new respect for Penelope Leach as an expert in the field. As for her advice on feeding prior to 1 year, she advocates the breast for at least 6 months which consistent with contemporary thinking. But beyond that, she's practical in that she understands that breast feeding isn't always possible and without the guilt trips of so many writers with a mission, she lets the mother off the hook and in fact, provides some real comfort.I read this book with my first child over 6 years ago, and I'm reading it again as we've a baby due next month. And yes, I'm reading several other "how to" and "what to expect" books yet I'm still enamored with this book. If you have an academic bent, this book will not only provide you with solid information, it will provide you with an enjoyable read.

It does more than skim the surface!

I have read dozens of books (including Dr. Sears' and the 'What to expect' fluff books), and I have found this book to be the most informative. It gives you pros and cons of many case studies and allows you to draw your own conclusions. Without being preachy, this book thoroughly explains the point of view and the reference capabilities of the infant. My one year old is delightfully outgoing and happy; the information I gleaned from this book has contributed greatly to his disposition. I also LOVED 'How Babie's Talk'.

More than just a how-to book!

If you're interested in an in-depth look at what really makes babies tick, and want to know why as well as how, this is the book for you. No, it's not the book to grab when your baby is crying and you don't know how to make it stop, but I still found it the most reassuring book around. For those interested in the psychology of their babies, I heartily recommend this book.

The best "baby book" that I read!

Seemed as though Dr. Leach spoke to me, in her manner of writing. There's a tremendous amount of information in this text. Dr. Leach provides insight as to the emotional maturity of both the infant AND the parent, which many other resources did not. Many people told me to read "What to Expect When You're Expecting", and I did. Where that book just grazed certain topics, Babyhood explored them fully and provided various methods of approaching developmental milestones or the lack thereof. I'm a very thorough person - into detail - and loved it!!