The title says it all, this book is GREAT. Whether you are a first time mum wanting a bible or are looking for the ideal present for a mother to be, this has got to be it. I have not yet found another book that is so thorough, reassuring, practical, unbiased or (believe it or not) entertaining as this one. It will save you trips to the pediatrician, reassure and help you with practical problems, give guidance on baby's development, in short, there is not an area or issue, however obscure, that hasn't been covered.

If there is any criticism at all, as mentioned by a previous review, is the way the book is organised into months, although it is hard to see with the volume of information it contains how it would best be done. I would agree with previous readers to read a couple of months ahead each time as sometimes issues arise ahead of schedule, so to speak!

My friend lent me this book just after I had given birth to my baby daughter and I thought to myself 'nice of her to lend it to me but I'll probably never read it and will just get by with the internet as and when I need to' - but it has often been, I wouldn't say a 'god send', but a great book to refer to at those times when baby is causing concern, or you need some reassurance or if in need of a medical opinion. More often than not you just need to know that something is quite 'normal' or not never been heard of in the world of babies!

This book has come out many a time in the last 10 weeks when my little one is having a few problems (though nothing worrying enough for me to contact a doctor) or when we are just simply curious about something or need something confirming.

Generally it always delivers the answers, which are unbiased and to the point.

I would call this an overall fantastic 'baby bible' for any first time mummies and obviously worth keeping as a manual for the next baby should you be planning on doing it all again?!

I only bought one book after having my little boy a year ago and am I glad it was this one. It has covered every aspect for the first year, which you would expect, but it was not one of those books which tells you which way is best. What I mean is, I am still breastfeeding my son at just over one year old and I never felt it pushed the bottle on me or breastfeeding, just gives advice on whatever you feel is best. And lets be honest, we all know what feels right for each of us, we just need a little bit of advice.

My sister has just had her first baby and I have bought the book for her. We have different ideas on things, but we have both felt a great deal of reassurance from this book.

I have a few 'new mum' books but this one is by far the most useful.

There is a chapter for each month of the first year with 'what to expect' at each stage - e.g. at what age your baby will probably start to hold its head up / smile / sit up etc. Reassuringly the book always makes it clear that your own baby will do everything at its own pace and so not to treat each month's summary as a checklist.

Each chapter then contains lots of Q&A likely to be relevant at each stage. To be honest I didn't read these bits in the month in question but instead referred to them via the index when I had the same questions myself.

The book also has excellent sections on health / common infant ailments and advice on what to do e.g. to treat a fever and when to call the doctor. For a first time mum these pages are priceless!

I liked this book so much that I have now invested in the 'What to Expect - the toddler years' now that my daughter is over 1 year and it is just as good!

Highly recommended - loads of information, not at all preachy, and very reassuring advice throughout.

Before my daughter was born I decided that I didn't need a book on what to expect as I'd just go and search for answers on the internet when I needed them. When my Mum found out I didn't have any books on life with a baby she offered to buy me one and I decided that I'd go for this one.

I have found this book awesome! Trying to go on the internet when you have a question or concern about your baby has proved virtually impossible for me as it normally leads to my baby screaming for attention. Within a couple of weeks my husband & I both got a stomach bug and in minutes in the middle of the night I was able to find out that I was ok to carry on breastfeeding..my computer would still have been loading up!

Another positive is that the book has obviously been well researched. The book is laid out with monthly developments covering relevant topics that month such as weaning, colic, bedtime & bathing baby. Virtually every question I can think of has been covered. Its also nice to have the reassurance of a properly endorsed book rather than random advice from the internet.

What could make this book better? I'm quite a visual person so a few more pictures would be good, black and white would be fine but colour even better. Content wise, Ican't think of anything that could be added.