Baby on the Way (Sears Children's Library)

I was really excited when I found this book (along with "What Baby Needs" )by the Sears family, since I believe strongly in attachment parenting, and like other reviewers, wanted a book that showed the mother breastfeeding as opposed to bottlefeeding. However, I think that is the only thing I ended up liking about this book.My son just turned 2, and I found it way too explicit, and ended up skipping entire pages because it is just way too much information for him. The book is very mother-focused, showing how mother gets extremely hungry, thirsty, tired, and nauseated with morning sickness ("Like the way your tummy feels yucky when you eat three slices of birthday cake and ice cream.") It also talks about mother's nesting instincts. While an older child may pick up on these things, a toddler doesn't even notice this.Also, the detail of explanation of the contractions of the uterus ("Your mommy's uterus tells her it's time by starting to squeeze."), and how mother will have to take very deep breaths when the squeezing starts, seems like too much information for a toddler in my opinion.The language is also very explicit and scientific, using words like "breasts" and "vag---a" (so as not to be so explicit myself.) I do not want to teach these words to my 2 year old yet. While the book does have a section to the caregivers, recommending the changing of words to suit your child, I ended up changing or omitting over half of the book, and it defeated the purpose.On the other hand, the Sears' other book, "What Baby Needs", was more appropriate, and my son seems to like it. (Though I find it extremely dry, and somewhat of an over-advocacy of attachment parenting.) Again, I am a strong believer in attachment parenting, and only because I esteem the Sears' so much, I am giving this book 3 stars instead of 2. I just think some things can be left to the pictures or a parent's explanation (ex. just showing baby in a sling, instead of spelling out that this may be a way baby is held) would have been sufficient. If I wasn't on bedrest, I would be returning this book, as I am very disappointed with it.I do highly recommend "On Mother's Lap", which is a beautiful book with a beautiful storyline for younger children, and does not feel the need to be overly explicit, since the simple words, facial expressions, and actions describe very well how the boy feels. I have also ordered "Hello Baby", which I later found, and it has excellent reviews.I hope the Sears realize the orientation of this book, and add an age recommendation to the book's description.

Great book! My 2 year old loves it, but there are plenty of ideas in it that make it appropriate for older kids too. I love that it includes midwife as a care provider and doesn’t assume you’re going to have your baby at the hospital. We ordered a used copy and it’s in great condition. Make sure to get “What Baby Needs” as well!

I loved the book. It’s perfect what what I want to teach my soon to be big brother. I bought it used and it said it was in “good” conditions but it’s missing a whole page :/

The idea seemed like just what we were looking for- and there are some cute/sweet/helpful things (I liked that there will always be room on the lap for you). However when the description mentioned covering “all aspects”, it should have added that coincide with attachment parenting. Which is ok, but there are a few things parents to be may want to be aware of. Only vaginal birth is covered (along with a whole page on contractions)- no mention of the possibility of a c-section. Also breastfeeding is, according to this book, the only way a baby is fed (including additional info at the end about how this should be the only way and LLL resources)- no mention of bottles being used in any way at all. The book was just ok at best- not worth the price and I wouldn’t purchase it again. There are much much better books about coming babies available!

This is a great book to prepare young children for what to expect during the pregnancy. It will not be for all parents as if you have very young children or don't plan to tell them until closer to when the baby is born, it is less helpful as it does focus mostly on the pregnancy as others have said. For us this is what we were looking for as I am still early in my pregnancy so it will be a long time before the baby comes (esp in 2.5yo time). However, my daughter is very perceptive so we could not have told anyone else or even discussed between ourselves if she were around at all without her picking up on it, so she does know about it. If you are looking for a book to prepare your child for bringing the new baby home as some reviewers seemed to be, what you want is "What Baby Needs" also by Dr Sears. It is in the same attachment parenting style with emphasis on breast feeding, but has nothing about the pregnancy just about having a new baby at home.

With the arrival of our 3rd baby, we were given What Baby Needs, which was an extremely helpful way to explain to our older two what their new baby needed and why she cried and wanted to be held a lot. It was even more perfect because the book has an eldest sister, a brother, and a new baby sister, which is what we have. Now that we are expecting our 4th, I found this book. It helps explain about why I'm feeling the way I am (tired and nauseous), as well as why we have to wait so long for the baby to get here. Both are excellent in starting conversations with our 4 year old about what she should expect during my pregnancy and once the baby gets here. A cheaper option that's also very good is What to Expect When Mommy's Having A Baby, which our hospital gives out at big sibling classes (Under $4 on Amazon)

We're expecting #2 & bought this book recently for our 2 y/o. She loves it and is actually sleeping with the book tonight! The text is very easy to adapt to our family -- we make it personal to our daughter whenever we read it. The tips for parents at the beginning are a great feature that I haven't seen in other books like this, and there are lots of little extras throughout the story for inquisitive kiddos. It is pro-attachment & pro-breastfeeding which is awesome for our family. My favorite little suprise was the great illustration of a newborn with the umbilical cord & clamp attached -- exactly what my daughter found the most curious as well. I found it reassuring to be able to explain in advance that it wasn't "owie", and the book even gave suggestions on how to explain it on her level. Our family feels so much more prepared!

My daughter is about 2 months pregnant and has a little one of 3 yrs.I got her this book because the reviews were brilliant.And, indeed, she and her son love it too.It is fast becoming his favourite book of the moment.A great help to introduce a new baby on the way.Along with the peppa pig book about baby Alexander!

We used this and "What Baby Needs" by the same authors when expecting our younger child - they are both fantastic books. We were looking for something that didn't mess about when it came to facts, and that made our older child feel a part of the pregnancy - this was perfect. Pitched so well that our then 18month-2 yr old loved it but there was loads of additional information suitable for older children too that could be included in discussion. We absolutely saw the results of this 'prep' when it came to her big-sisterhood in action!

I bought this to help to prepare our two-year-old for the impending arrival of his baby brother or sister. He loves reading it, and it's easy to 'edit' the text to suit your child's need (eg we include his favourite sandwich filling, crackers instead of pretzels, etc). I think it is definitely helping him to understand what to expect.

Delighted with this book. A thoughtful book to read to prepare a young child for a big change in the family.

Very easy to read, it help to engage your little ones in the adventure of a new baby.My daughter doesn't stop asking me to read it (She understand English but does not speak it) She is just 5. We gave it as a present to her when we gave her the news that she will have a brother.The drawings are very helpful to explain the process of waiting for the baby, it does not go into medical details is more about the family.