M.D. William Sears

Overall, I've really appreciated this book in my seven-plus years as a parent. The most useful portion of the book for me was the large section devoted to "normal" or "needs attention" ailments in infants and toddlers. I first used it when my daughter was an infant seven years ago to look up the dosage of infant fever reducers, which never are listed on the medications themselves. It helped keep me calm and out of an unnecessary ER visit several times when my daughter had croup as toddler, show more and I referenced it just last month when my son started "whooping" during coughing fits. He's vaccinated, so pertussis wasn't really even on my radar, but when I looked up "persistent coughs" in the book and saw the paragraph describing whooping cough, I knew I needed to call our doctor. (Even then it took two doctor visits and a huge amount of time watching pertussis videos online to reach the pertussis diagnosis and get appropriate treatment.)

The conventional "baby in another room" parenting books didn't work for me with my first because I had a baby who refused to be set down or to sleep unless she was in direct physical contact with me. I would think back to my vast experience babysitting and think, "Isn't she supposed to, you know...sleep?" Conventional parenting books only made it worse; my baby didn't do any of the things they said she was supposed to do, and it was clearly my fault. But if I'd had my second child first, those kinds of parenting books might have seemed perfect for us, and I might have found the Sears's book weird (my second is a child who will let me set him down and accepts---and even demands---routines).

I had learned about attachment theory before I'd read The Baby Book, but the book offered helpful suggestions about what attachment parenting might look like. More important, it suggested that maybe it wasn't horrible---and might actually be "normal"---that my baby slept only on me or my husband, and it provided the support of reading about a family who'd lived it (not only with the children they'd birthed but also with their adopted children). I especially liked the section about infant massage and the section that describes the unique comforts that a father can provide to his infant, like a broader, flatter chest on which to rest, a resonant voice to soothe a fussy baby, and confidence in trying off-the-wall holding positions to relieve tummy complaints. And the information about food allergies was integral to identifying the root of the problems my daughter was having and giving me the confidence to change doctors when ours wasn't listening to me.

As much as I've liked The Baby Book, it didn't always accurately reflect what was going on with my child, either. There was one section in which Dr. Sears assures us that if our toddler doesn't want to go to sleep, we shouldn't worry. Just leave him alone for a while and soon we'll find him asleep in the middle of the living room floor. Whenever we were up until all hours with my daughter, my husband and I would joke with each other, "Don't worry. She'll be asleep in the middle of the living room floor in a few minutes."

For the diversity of real-life experiences I needed to witness to make my own choices about day-to-day parenting issues, I relied on the moms I met at the monthly La Leche League meetings I attended. They were the moms who finally taught me how to wear a sling. I swear, I threw that darned thing in the trash half-a-dozen times only to fish it out again and sit down with the demonstration video and try it all again. It's difficult to practice babywearing, no matter how much you buy into the idea, if you can't figure out how to do it.

Basically, I find The Baby Book to be a great reference, but like with parenting advice from any source, you can't rely on it as your only resource. Each child is different, and the dynamics of each family are different, so no advice is going to be helpful (or even reflect reality) for everyone. But if you're able to take what works for you, leave the rest, and look around for support from a variety of other sources, this is a great resource to have available. show less

I borrowed this book from a friend, and read it the December before I gave birth. I wanted to know as much about babies as I could before I birthed them.

I was disappointed. I wanted to learn about child development and to find a balanced view about what is best for babies. Instead, I found the authors ascribed to a theory I had never heard of, "attachment theory", and while some of it I found interesting, I was annoyed by much of it. There was little to no evidence for his assertions about show more the theory. And it was always layered on with a trowel: no subtlety to be found in that manual!

The manual is huge, partially because it is so repetitive. Yes, we get it - breastfeed your babies! Don't sleep train! Carry your baby everywhere! These three concepts are throughout the entire book, even where you least suspect it will pop up. The book is also filled with quotes from one of the author's personal journals of using attachment theory in raising her child. I found her tone to be smug, and eventually I had to stop reading her entries.

A lot of reviewers have focused on the various provisions of the theory: sharing a bed, breastfeeding on demand, carrying your child everywhere, etc. It is true that the authors are proponents of these activities, and you will not find a balanced view of any of them. If you want to make up your mind as to whether you should sleep with your child or breastfeed on demand, you will need to find another volume for the pros and cons. I have no opinion myself on whether anything suggested by the authors are good or not, and I suspect that how you raise you child really depends on your family and your baby. No one should judge your parenting style, even the Searses.

However, all that said, I give the book three stars because I find the chapters on what to expect when your baby reaches, say, two months old, to be invaluable. I have also enjoyed the chapters on first aid and health issues. I also agree with the authors on the importance of getting to know your child and following his or her lead in the infancy.

My recommendation? The book is an absolute must if you want to use attachment theory in raising your child. If you want a balanced discussion on the various ways to raise your bsby, find another book, or read this one with a grain of salt. show less

Becoming a parent was miraculous and wonderful. It was also, for me, terrifying. I learned a lot from my Sears' Baby Book. The most important thing I learned is that --I-- am my children's mother. Only I can love them like their mother, because only --I-- am their mother. And so I, a person who used to be blown around by other's opinions like dandelion fluff in the wind, learned to raise my own children and be confident in my own self. Yes, I gathered facts from the Baby Book. I gathered show more information from family members and friends and the internet and other books and that woman I met at the grocery store and we chatted for fifteen minutes, and so forth.

But after getting all the facts and information, at the end of the day --I-- was the one who was living with and raising my babies. I wouldn't always make the right decisions, but I am satisfied in myself and very proud of both of my, now adult, children.

I credit the Sears' Baby Book and the attachment style parenting I was introduced to in that book, for helping me greatly in the raising of my children and highly recommend it, to parents, expectant parents, and people considering becoming parents. show less

Wow! I wish I could have read this book 20 years ago!

Don't think that PRIME-TIME HEALTH is just for baby boomers. If you want to enter middle age in peak fitness, read this book as soon as you can. Dr. Sears tells you what you will be facing in your later years and what you need to do now to ensure that you're physically able to enjoy those years.

If you're already living what you hope will be your middle years, Dr. Sears will show you how to make the best of whatever shape you're in and show more even what steps to take to reverse some conditions.

One of the things I like so much about PRIME-TIME HEALTH, is that Dr. Sears presents a wealth of health care information all in one place: Omega-3 fish oils and why they are so important for cardiovascular and joint health. What's so special about antioxidants? Why cancer occurs. How strong stomach muscles help prevent back pain. Over and over, he explains how the health and condition of one area of your body effects the health and condition of another area. For instance, unhealthy blood vessels can contribute to hearing loss -- Dr. Sears explains why and how.

The book includes chapters on eye health, breathing, and rejuvenating your joints, as well as, literally, skin and bones. Dr. Sears covers the basics of lowering high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. You'll find discussions on which foods are best for maintaining and improving health. There's even a chapter called "Stay Safe" in which he explains why older folks are more accident-prone and how to protect yourself from falls.

Another point in favor of Dr. Sears' book is that the information is so accessable. As the author of over 30 books, he knows how to translate medical terminology into plain English. Though the advice in the book in backed by scientific research, I was never bogged down in statistics or multi-syllabic Latin vocabulary. Dr. Sears writes for the ordinary Joes and Janes like me. I spent several evenings reading PRIME-TIME HEALTH and was never bored or overwhelmed by the material.

When you're young, it's easy to take for granted how good you feel and how easy it is to move. Over the years, your body just slowly wears out. But just as proper car maintainence will prolong the life of your car, proper body maintenance can prolong your life and keep you strong and healthy enough to actually enjoy your later years. And, like saving money for retirement, the earlier you start the better off you'll be.

I highly recommend PRIME-TIME HEALTH for all adults of any age. Younger people can start a regimen to prevent deterioration as well as provide much needed support and information to the older folks in their lives. "Primers" will appreciate understanding the changes that are occuring in their bodies and the hope of physical renewal that Dr. Sears' advice provides. show less