This is the one parenting book anyone should own. It has compassionate advice current child psychology research is proving to be true. His attachment parenting philosophy basically says that our instincts are right, and following them makes life WAY easier! There are a LOT of bad advice books out there so please read this one first! Just compare the difference. I recommend ANY of Sears' books.

Some vaccinations are virtually useless, brain/neuro diseases, attention disorders, allergies/asthma, are the new epidemics. Educate yourself and CHOOSE which vaccines (& when) to give since most contain aluminum at potentially toxic levels, as well as antibiotics, preservatives, human & animal tissues. See also Tenpenny's "Vaccines" or Neustaedter's "The Vaccine Guide".

This is a well-organized and convenient book with information on breastfeeding, and it may be the only breastfeeding book you ever need. However, I also recommend La Leche League's official manual, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" for excellent comprehensive information on breastfeeding.

This baby book has different information from William Sears' Baby Book. It gives great advice on vaccinations, avoiding chemicals for a nontoxic home environment, and simple home and homeopathic remedies which are often cheaper, more earth-friendly, and effective than drugs (i.e, garlic + olive oil instead of antibiotics for ear infections).

Strengtening one's relationship with one's partner is one of the best parenting steps anyone can take toward better parenting (and arguing in front of baby or kids is always harmful.) The first year of a baby's life is statistically the hardest time in the parents' relationship so this book could could be a lifesaver for your relationship or marriage.

Baby signing speeds up and hones verbal ability but more importantly, it reduces frustration for baby and enhances the bond between parent & child. Makes life easier for both. I would not raise any of my children without teaching them to sign - it is such a wonderful emotional benefit.

It's hard to find a baby/toddler cookbook that is up-to-date on allergies and mercury in fish, and has yummy recipes too. This book accomplishes that pretty well. Another simple approach - anything healthy you like that can be mashed or blended, with less salt and sugar. Baby will get used to your cooking and have less feeding problems later.

Babies who are carried an extra 3 hours a day in the first few months cry 40% less. They pick up verbal skills faster and develop better core muscle strength, balance and gross motor skills. It’s also a proven way to make babies smarter ('Genius' DVDs retard intellectual development – no tv before 2 years!) My only regret is that I didn't get a sling *before* the baby was born!

This is less than $15 on eBay. Slings (or pouches) are your best bet for the first 3 or 4 months before baby has head control. Lite-on-shoulder also makes an awesome pouch/ring sling hybrid, which I highly recommend!

All babies cry, but this book can help with gentle techniques to soothe.

You can actually potty train your baby from birth! In many cultures parents tune into baby's signals to go potty. It is actually *not* paying attention to baby's signals that desensitizes them to when they have to go. I liked this because I tuned in more to my baby's nonverbal cues to understand him better. It's easier clean up poop from a potty than a diaper and I just use it when convenient.

Haba (Germany) makes beautiful, safe and non-toxic toys that can be handed down for generations. My son preferred toys with faces over abstract toys. Melissa & Doug (USA) also make nontoxic toys less expensive than Haba but I find they still have a faint lacquer odor. European standards are higher than U.S. -- many of the chemicals commonly used in American products are banned in Europe!

To avoid a space-guzzling eyesore highchair with nooks and crannies to clean, this is an affordable alternative which can also be used as a booster chair as your child grows. If you ever travel or visit someone's house for more than a day, it will also come in very handy until your child is at least 2 or 3 or older. And baby feels more a part of the family sitting at the table.

Born Free makes BPA-free plastic bottles and sippy cups (use “TRAINING” sippy cup not “drinking” cup if you want leak proof). Born Free plastic is free of Bisphenol-A (BPA) which is in 98% of plastics. Stainless sippy cups: Klean Kanteen, Foogo and Sigg. I recommend Klean Kanteen whose sippy cup is just one of their smaller water bottles with BPA-free sippy attachment (convertible!)

Another way to go plastic free is to use pyrex for storing foods. This one is a great deal because if you buy 3 of these you get one free (Amazon 4-for-3 deals) and it's cheaper than the sets. But I also loved the smaller sizes for storing baby's leftovers.

This toothpaste not only has natural enzymes to help clean teeth, it is also the best tasting one we've found. Don't bother with awful tasting toothpastes (like Weleda or Pre-Step) or your baby will grow up with negative associations with brushing!

If you plan to co-sleep WAIT before buying a crib! If not sure, a simple bassinet will suffice for up to the first six months or more.

Pediped, Bobux, Shoo Shoos, Platypaws, Pedoodles, Robeez, Jack & Lilly, and others all make great quality soft-soled shoes. Soft-soled shoes aid in proper anatomical foot development as well as in proper walking development.