My first child is due in two months. And I’m mostly a crunchy-granola, tree-hugging liberal. But Dolan and Zissu are just as much party to the “danger lurks around every corner” fear-peddling as the evening news.

Some real, live, ‘I just opened the book at random’ examples of what I mean: “There are so many baby-unfriendly pollutants that could be lingering in your water and your pipes that having it tested and filtering it is a must.” Or this helpful advice about golf: “There is no telling how many pesticides, herbicides and rodent killers (remember _Caddyshack_?) are used on any given golf course.” Or “eating the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables could expose a person to nearly twenty pesticides a day.”

I’m sure that many of the deathly-critical warnings the book discusses are technically correct. And there are some gems of clear-thinking scattered throughout the book: “You will nick her most likely at some point while pruning [your baby's fingernails]. Things happen. You’re not a bad parent.” Indeed.

But “helping” new parents know, understand and run screaming from the monster lurking under Every Single Bed does not promote the kind of parenting *I* want to practice. Get your advice elsewhere.
Rating: 2 / 5

I was handed down this book from another pregnant mother. I agree with another poster that this book creates a culture of fear. I have been trying to buy organic when I can, such as milk, meat, cleaners and a few facial products, but I just cannot afford to buy everything organic, not to mention not everything organic is necessarily available where I live. This book is informative, but extremely over the top. I felt like it told you that everything in your house, your products, produce, etc. has toxins that can cause cancer. I took the book to my OB and she told me that regular produce is healthy, just make sure to wash them and to stop reading the book! If you can afford to replace everything you own, or to only buy organic, then you might like this book. If you are easily worried, then I would refrain from buying.
Rating: 1 / 5

I want to be as safe as possible but after reading this book, I feel as if I should live in a bubble! Everything is toxic and unsafe, I think you should use this book and pick and choose what you consider reasonable precausions. If you followed everything you wouldnt be able to function in society.
Rating: 3 / 5

I LOVE this. It¹s as if that smart, funny friend of yours who always

has the inside scoop on everything decided to research the heck out of all things pregnancy and write an amazing book about it. The authors don¹t preach or lecture at you, they just tell you what you need to know ­ but with warmth,encouragement, and a sense of humor.

The whole thing leaves you feeling like a regular person with a regular

life who really can reasonably and realistically make the changes needed to set up the safe, healthy, nurturing home (in the womb and out of it) that such precious cargo deserves. FINALLY someone has sifted through the overwhelming amount of information a concerned pregnant woman (or a dad, or a grandma) is presented with, and whittled it down to a short, sweet, truly enjoyable, ESSENTIAL guide to a healthy conception, pregnancy, and birth. And for that, my baby and I are truly grateful.

Rating: 5 / 5

You will never even want to have a baby after reading this book; you’ll be too afraid of what you are doing to the child! I got this book just entering the 2nd trimester, and the first few sections are about what to do before you even think about having a baby! I felt so far behind and panicked right away. A book shouldn’t frighten pregnant ladies.

I think there should be a very big disclaimer about doing what will work for you in your life; unless you already have a completely organic mattress, drink the right kind of water (the book bewares of bottled water AND tap water… ), and have endless funds. I already had my toenails polished when I started reading the book, and then freaked out. How does one take OFF the poison color that is no doubt hurting my child within?

My husband and I strive to be more natural in many ways; we’re using cloth diapers and wipes, we’re making our own baby food from our own vegetable garden… so I thought this would be a great book; but it was too extreme and impractical for me. I gave it to my birth doula who isn’t even thinking about having kids for years, and told her she better get started if she plans on following these suggestions.
Rating: 2 / 5