First-Time Parent: The honest guide to coping brilliantly and staying sane in your baby’s first year

Product Information

only disposable & cloth nappies/dippers are cover; there is also Elimination Communication as an alternative method for babies' toileting needs that should be mentioned Many Mumsnet users recommend this for the teen and 'tween' years for reassurance that others are going through the same trials as you are as much as the tips and advice offered.

You need 'Oh crap! it’s Potty Training.' She is amazing. And fun. Her method totally works. She makes you commit."(Tried and tested by Mumsnetter PiratePetespajamas) Our verdict Our baby is almost 12 weeks and we found it so helpful as we are both clueless! It is now a ritual to read every week so we know what to expect or look out for! Of course baby doesn't read the book and is following their own timeline when it comes to milestones etc... but when you know absolutely nothing and don't really have anyone around it is good to have it."(Recommended by Mumsnet user SunnySideUp2020) Our verdict It’s a tad dated now but still full of gems to reassure any Mum that as long as you do a good enough job that’s fine."(Rated by Mumsnet user Majorcollywobble)What are your preferences?: It's always a good idea to know what sort of parenting tips you don't want - i.e., if you are against sleep training, don't go for an author known to advocate controlled crying. Ease of reading: Look for books that have short chapters, easy to read formatting or bitesized chunks of information. These are much easier to dip in and out of as you wish and make some of the more overwhelming information easier to digest. A non-preachy, approachable tone is always a winner in our eyes too. Parenting is hard enough without being preached at, right?! I enjoyed the Mumsnet guide to babies. It basically collated all different and often contradictory advice in one place and gave me the confidence to see that there was no one right answer!"(Vetted by Mumsnet user Xiaoxiong) Covering stages of parenthood from early pregnancy right through to the young adult 'all grown up' years, this is one of the best all-encompassing, big-picture parenting books available - and it's not hard to see why it crops up time and time again as one of the best parenting books on the Mumsnet forums. Offering a pyschological perspective on your child's development, pyschotherapist author Philippa Perry takes readers through all the key dos and don'ts of the parent-child relationship. The First-Time Parent is on your side, and reassures that you can cope brilliantly with your new baby and your new life.

www.lucyatkins.co Lucy Atkins is an award-winning author and journalist. Her last novel, MAGPIE LANE, a literary mystery set in an Oxford College, was chosen as a Book of the Year by the Guardian, The Telegraph, Good Housekeeping magazine and Radio 4's Open Book. Lucy's third novel The Night Visitor, has been optioned for television, Her new novel, Windmill Hill has been described as 'a triumph' by Philip Pullman.Few stages of early parenthood are as tough as potty training can be, so a parenting book which promises to make the whole process easier and faster can be worth its weight in gold. Forget unrealistic childcare manuals – this is the book you really need to help you cope brilliantly with those first chaotic days and months ahead. Frances Goodhart and Lucy Atkins. 2013. How to Feel Better: Practical ways to recover well from illness and injury.

Mumsnet users describe Leach's advice as 'sensible' and 'non-judgmental' and the book features useful diagrams for every stage of early parenthood from feeding to walking. It's divided into five sections covering newborns, the first six months, six to twelve months, toddlers and children aged two to five. Milestones covered include sleep, play, communication, potty training and navigating the early years of education. With so many parenting books to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s some things to take into account when making your choice: I found "First Time Parent" by Lucy Atkins to be kind, helpful, practical and not judgemental /espousing one parenting style over another."(Recommended by Mumsnet user InstantUserNameJustAddWater) It’s often useful to invest in a few complimentary titles. For example, you might have space on your bookshelf for a simple guidebook for advice on feeding, changing and bathing your baby, as well as a book covering a parenting philosophy you may like to try. Are there different formats?Lucy Atkins. 2010. First-Time Parent: The honest guide to coping brilliantly and staying sane in your baby’s first year. HarperCollins. As a health journalist and mother-of-three, Lucy Atkins is familiar with both the medical aspects of baby development, and the reality of life as an exhausted first-time mum or dad. Lucy Atkins is an award-winning author and journalist. Her last novel, MAGPIE LANE, a literary mystery set in an Oxford College, was chosen as a Book of the Year by the Guardian, The Telegraph, Good Housekeeping magazine and Radio 4's Open Book. Lucy's third novel The Night Visitor, has been optioned for television, Her new novel, Windmill Hill has been described as 'a triumph' by Philip Pullman.