Although there is much practical advice and interesting facts about child development, the overall result is a tired and dated manual. Some of the advice is downright dangerous! The book explored the conflict between putting infants to sleep on their back as opposed stomach. There is a clinically accepted link between Babies sleeping on their stomach and SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrom. There isn't a pediatrition or health nurse on the planet who would recomend putiing an infant to sleep on their belly, let alone give an option between the two.

My pediatrician recommended it after the birth of my first child. It was fun and fascinating to understand better how my babies brain was developing. I read and reread each chapter. I have bought it as a baby gift for at least ten people.

I had my first child in 1989 and the book The First Twelve Months of Life (Capland) was an absolute neccessity to track my child's developmental progress. Not only does it tell you what your baby's Gross Motor skills are each month, it also gives you clear and concise information on Fine Motor, Language, Social, and many other developmental skills. I am having my second child shortly and I went shopping for a book that would be as informative and helpful as the book by Capland. I couldn't find one. I ended up getting the same book and I plan on referring to it often.

I purchased this book soon after my son's first birthday. It is organized with month by month descriptions of toddler development in language, physical skills and personality. I enjoyed reading the monthly sections throughout the year. It gave me some idea of what to expect, although the authors do point out that individual development is unpredictable. The book was written over 20 years ago and has a few dated references. (I don't think too many parents have their toddlers listening to phonograph records these days!)