Today's Moms: Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year

Babies don't come with instructions or an owner's manual and that is exactly why two producers of NBC's TODAY Show, Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo, decided to write TODAY'S MOMS - Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year. I loved this book filled with the 411 on baby's first year and wish I would have had this book during my first year of parenthood. I especially loved the personal stories from Matt, Meredith, Kathie Lee, Ann, Al (you got my vote for funniest story!) and from the Today Show parenting experts Janice and Dr. Nancy Snyderman. The tips are worth repeating over and over again: sleep when the baby sleeps; don't push yourself right after you have the baby; it's okay to say no; babies cry it's their job; breastfeeding-hard work but so worth it! Breastfeeding was hard work for me and was so worth it! But at the time I needed to be reminded that it is hard and moms need fluids too! I liked Kathie Lee Gifford's tip to freeze cabbage leaves and place them on sore breasts! I wish I would have had this resource during those first difficult days of struggling with Heidi latching on. I would have realized that even Al Roker's wife had a lactation expert visit her house as well. I would have been thrilled to know that Mary Ann liked breastfeeding but hated pumping. I hated pumping and would pump and pump and pump and would only get an ounce!!! New moms are so tired they can't think!!! I loved Meredith Vieira's story about being so tired she fell asleep with the parts to the breast pump still on the stove - who can't relate to being so tired you couldn't wait until the water was done boiling!!! This guide puts a familiar face on parenthood and is a must-read for all new parents! If anything it makes you realize that you are not alone, many other parents, even the parenting experts, have felt just like YOU!

My favorite thing about this book is that it is both practical and personal. You can pick up a ton of books that contain tips and information. This book gives you the tips and information, but in between, it adds a comment or story from the authors or friends of the authors. My favorite example of this is in Chapter 8, the Travel section. Good tips, sprinkled with stories and ideas from people like Kathie Lee Gifford. I liked the gear section, especially when it came to gift-giving. My husband really liked the father's point of view throughout...didn't hurt that it was Tiki Barber giving his two-cents! My favorite overall thing about the book is they don't add to the mommy-guilt. They give you a information, and then they give youroom to feel good about what you are doing, room to feel like you are being a good mom. Thanks ladies!

I wish someone would have given me this book a week before I had my son last year! This book should be called "What to REALLY expect when your expecting" because it's so much more realistic than the other books I've read on baby's first year. For example, no one told me about milk leakage. I had to learn the hard way just how bad and annoying and embarrassing it really is (especially because I did not nurse). Nor did anyone warn me that taking a shower would be come a luxury-- if I even GOT to shower for the day. Yet this book manages to tell new moms the good, bad and the ugly of raising children while managing to add hilarious stories from the Today Show personalities along the way. I've already ordered another copy for my best friend due next week and I will be giving this book out as my standard shower gift from here on out! With that said, I highly recommend this book for any pregnant lady or brand new mom!

Even as my wife and I look back at our 'baby's first year', we laughed to tears reading some of the anecdotal stories in Today's Moms. You have to read Al Roker's "midnight feeding" story!

I wish I had had Today's Moms Essentials for Surviving Baby's First Year when I had my first baby. It's overwhelming to be a new mom, and feeling that everyone expects you suddenly know what to do and how to do, and being afraid to ask those "simple" questions. You feel like every other woman has the baby 101 written in their genes and you are the only one who has no clue how to handle the first week(s) after the baby is born. Now there is finally a Common Sense Book - that explains the first year after having a baby to you in a way that is smart, simple and helpful (and may I say funny too, these ladies will make you smile as you read the book). The personal stories are touching and made me have many "me too" moments. The Today Show experts share their professional advice and it's all spot on what a new mom needs to hear. Advice, sharing & caring. Today's Moms book is one of my absolutely favorite baby books I have seen in the past 9 years of motherhood, and I have read a few of them! The authors are smart with hearts in the right spot, and it shows in the book and makes Today's Moms book a feel-good-book for any new mom to read. Thank you ladies for finally bringing the sexy back to mommy-guides!