What to Expect the First Year

By: Heidi Murkoff

Narrated by: Heidi Murkoff, Meeghan Holaway, Emma Bing, James Patrick Cronin, Khristine Hvam, Vanessa Johansson, Inés del Castillo, Almarie Guerra, Tanis Parenteau, Mat Vairo, Jasmin Walker, Sofia Willingham

Some things about babies, happily, will never change. They still arrive warm, cuddly, soft, and smelling impossibly sweet. But how moms and dads care for their brand new bundles of baby joy has changed—and now, so has the world’s best-selling, best-loved guide to the instructions babies don’t come with…but totally should. In audio, and only on Audible, for the first time ever, What to Expect in the First Year is brought to life by the engaging, comforting narration of author Heidi Murkoff. Accompanied by a full cast of audio talent, Heidi enlivens the empathetic, reality-based advice, practical tips, and reassuring support that makes First Year the definitive, must-have baby bible. Best of all, she’s there for you anywhere, anytime—talking you (and cheering you on) through those long nights and sometimes longer days, through crying jags, gas, and blowout diapers, nap strikes, breastfeeding struggles, stuffy noses, teething, and so much more.

Follow along month-by-month as this completely updated third edition of What to Expect follows your baby’s amazing first year of growth and development—allowing you to take this exciting but potentially overwhelming first year one (baby) step at a time. It’s all here, with all your questions answered and all your worries put to bed (along with all those worries about safe baby sleep)—everything you need to know about the care (and feeding) of your infant. Crib and car seat and home safety, feeding options (from all breast to all pumped to all formula, to “the combo”), when to start solids (and how), sleep strategies that work, why skin-to-skin is in for moms and dads, how to play with and stimulate your little one from newborn to almost-toddler (hint: it’s easier than you’d think).

Heard about baby-led weaning, baby-wearing, baby massage, and baby signs? You’ll hear about them here. Also included: a complete guide to breastfeeding (how to get started and keep it going, even if you’re going back to work), a brand new chapter on buying for baby, helping you navigate through today’s dizzying selection of nursery items and baby gear, and all-green parenting. The latest recommendations on screen time for babies (and parents), vaccines, vitamins, preventing allergies (surprise—bring on the peanuts for your little peanut!) and so much more. Easy-to-access information on when to call the pediatrician, what to do in an emergency or when baby’s sick, and how to keep baby safe and healthy. With topics organized more intuitively than ever—and with advice from Heidi just a quick search away whenever you need it —this is a must-have guide for new parents.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, an accompanying PDF of charts and diagrams will be available in your Audible Desktop Library along with the audio.

©1989, 1996, 2003, 2010, 2014 What to Expect, LLC. (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Good for a FTP

This is a good book for a first time parent. It has information in it that is helpful so if you forget what you learned in some of your classes you can reference it here.

I can not stand the way the Heidi Murkoff reads however. I wish she did not do the audio version. She speaks in a constant "ohhh and awww" sound like she's constantly talking to a baby rather than an adult. It's extremely annoying. Because of her I can only listen for a little bit at a time without wanting to shut if off and take a break from her. I hope she is able to see these reviews so maybe she can change the way she reads in her future books. Or just have someone else do the whole book who can be a little more factual without all the fluff. If you read it instead, it's not as annoying.

Great Resource

Though I studied child development in college as a FTM this is a great resource. I have the ebook as well. My only complaints: pacing is much too slow (I speed it up) and that the next book is not available in Audible.

Very helpful

I found the book really helpful and beautifully written.
All the advice is delivered succinctly and pragmatically, with a touch of humour on the side.
The narrating is very well done too.

Great book but kinda long

This is a solid book, however, it does take a lot of time to read.

Worth it!

Definitely recommend reading this even if it’s just skimming through parts, I found stuff I did not know very helpful in this book. It also reminded me to get a refresher course on infant CPR. It is also been brought to my attention that they have an app as well that I find myself checking very often, I definitely recommend this book and audiobook to all the new moms.

The details of raising a baby.

Breaking down into the months was incredible. I like the whole book. I recommend it to any parent.

Informative Telemarketer

Information is abundant but the narrator voice is like a product marketing advertisement. Very hard to listen to for long stretches.

Very helpful

Overall I thought this book was great for new parents. It helped give us information and guidelines we wouldn’t have had otherwise. My only recommendation is to add hair tourniquet to the book. My baby had one at 8 months and it caught be completely off guard. I had never heard of it before and didn’t know to check his little toes thoroughly. Thank you!

VERY repetitive

I wish I would have started reading this when it was first given to me. It is helpful but it could be shorter.

A Good Intro but..

There was some substantial information, especially as a first time mom. But I feel like there were certain aspects in here that were more old school and not up to date. For example, sections of the eating. Of course, everyone has their own way of upbringing and you need to read and learn many methods before you settle on your "right" way so this provides a nice foundation, I will admit. However, I wouldn't call this the say all end all.