On becoming babywise. Book one : the classic reference guide utilized by over 1,000,000 parents worldwide / Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam.
I don't have any other baby book suggestions, but I would recommend that you be careful with this one. Its methods are pretty controversial. I am not a fan.
Ditto. That book is kind of the opposite of happiest baby on the block, IMO.
I might add: Continuum Concept (attachment parenting book) I actually haven't read this, but I've heard it's a good read if you are interested in attachment parenting. I did some AP stuff, but not all.
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Kind of a middle of the road parenting book. Not quite attachment, not like babywise (babywise is like, your baby is a robot to be trained under rigid rules.)
I read over 10 books about
just sleep in the infancy of my first child. Spent a lot of time getting her to sleep on her own (in a crib right next to our bed) w/o a vice (nursing, pacifier, being held, whatever.) It was a lot of work. When #2 came, I threw those rules out the window, and life was much easier. Yes, #2 night nursed longer, but that could have been because I was working (was home w/ #1), but come 15 months they transitioned equally well to sleeping in their own room.
For when your kid is older, I really like "Simplicity Parenting"
Some books that could help with money saving moves:
Natural Infant Hygiene (you have diaper free baby on your list. It's just a little more direction, I think)
About what is called "elimination communication" aka teaching your infant to pee and poo on the potty instead of diapers. sounds wild, but both our girls were done pooping in diapers by about 3 months, and having totally dry days by 6 months, out of diapers by 12 months, fully day trained by 18, and dry all night by 2ish. This is in-line, if not more generous (slower), with how infants are "potty trained" in cultures that do not have the luxury of diapers, disposable or otherwise. We used cloth diapers, but this approach saved us some $ in washing and grossness (avoiding poopy dipes). Highly recommended if you or your caregiver are cognizant enough to guess when baby needs to go. Some people accused me of training my baby, some people accused me of letting my baby train me, but I just saw it as another way to meet my kid's needs. baby needs to eat? feed her. baby needs to rest? help her get to sleep. baby needs to poo? hold her over the toilet, etc.)
Look into baby-led weaning, can't think of a book about it, but it is essentially about skipping baby cereals, purees, and other baby food nonsense (weird dissolving puff things), giving your kids real food (soft and safe, anything that isn't a choking hazard or allergy concern) when they are ready, letting them feed themselves (not jamming a spoon in their mouth). Did this with both kids and it was super easy, and I think their current good eating habits (non-picky, no strange texture aversions) could be attributed to this approach. They eat anything and everything, and we have never once purchased a kid or baby food product, and they can easily share with me if we ever go out. I don't need to feed them just chicken fingers and mac and cheese like other parents, or pay for separate kids meals.
And the ultimate baby money saver (I think), find a good book about breastfeeding, or get involved with your local La Leche League before baby arrives so you have someone to call for breastfeeding support. LLL leaders are volunteers (meaning you don't have to pay them) and breastfeeding is a big money saver. You save on formula, and on health care for both baby and mom down the road.
Good luck. Babies rock and don't have to cost a lot!
