One of the things at the top of the to-do list for parents-to-be is to get educated. Besides advice from doctors, relatives and friends, as well as from actual classes our courses, most turn to parenting books to learn what they need to know when expecting a new baby. Most books, such as the New York Times bestseller "What To Expect When You're Expecting," by Heidi Murkoff, focus on general knowledge. Others like "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads, Revised Edition: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy," by Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein, are for parents of multiples. There are also books specifically for fathers-to-be, such as "The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be," by Armin A. Brott.
Typical costs:
Hardcover baby books, like "The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy," range from about $15 to $30, although some, like the 392-page "The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood" by Joanne Stone and Keith Eddelman, can cost between $30 and $50.
Paperback books, including "Your Baby's First Year," by the American Academy of Pediatrics, "The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two," by William Sears, and "The Joy of Pregnancy: The Complete, Candid and Reassuring Companion for Parents-To-Be," by Tori Kropp, R.N., are typically less expensive, costing between $5 to $20.
Most hospitals that offer obstetric or pediatric services, like California Pacific Medical Center[1] in San Francisco, The Children's Hospital[2] in Denver, and Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, as well as commercial baby centers, like DayOne[3] , have baby book libraries. In some cases, membership may be required, with fees ranging from $30 to $120.
Much of the information available in books are also available online. The Parenting Library is one site that serves as a launching point to access online parenting material from a wide variety of sources.
Shopping for baby books:
There are many online resources for finding the best-selling baby books, including the New York Times[4] , Today's Parent, and Top Baby Books[5] , as well as bookselling sites, such as Amazon[6] .
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
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