How many parents read parenting books before/during pregnancy?

I have a cousin who has about 10 parenting books, all about a million pages long, and she read all of them! It never occurred to me to read parenting books. What about you? Did you read parenting books or go 100% by maternal instinct, or somewhere in the middle?





My cousin got accidentally pregnant so I think she felt like she had no idea how to be a parent so read these books.How many parents read parenting books before/during pregnancy?
I read a lot, mostly for imaginary support and some tips. I didn't based my parenting solely on them- but I did pick up some things to carry with me. I even picked up a few organizational tips that I use 11 years later! Some of it was just common sense stuff, but you find a gem every now and then.How many parents read parenting books before/during pregnancy?
First of all, my pregnancy was unplanned, but I wouldn't have it any other way now that i have my amazing daughter! I read some books and magazines about pregnancy and parenting when I was pregnant. Now that I have my daughter I have the parenting magazines and ';What to Expect The First Year'; I read some parts of the magazines and most parts of the ';First Year'; book, but I mainly read them for ideas and guidelines, I don't live by them. If I have a question of importance, I ask my daughters pediatrician. Also, the parenting books never prepare you completely for parenting in ';real life';, only experience!
During my first pregnancy I was given a book (which I read) that was a weekly guide to the fetus' growth in uteuro (not really a parenting book, as much as a pregnancy book) and we read a book about (the bradley method) child birth to determine whether or not we wanted to take a particular child birth class. Other than that I own the Amercian Academy of Pediatricians guide which covers not only medical issues, but others related to parenting and have borrowed a book about discipline techniques recently looking for new ideas for my oldest (nothing really new tho). I don't necessary think it's about instinct for many people, but rather about wanting to feel prepared and looking for advice where they can get it. I think the idea of parental instinct isn't as true as everyone thinks though. In the end whether you read books or not, you still do what works best for your children, family and self whether it's about discipline, personal care, feeding or anything else that varies from person to person. One of the things I've tried to pass onto my friends who haven't had children yet (and those that recently have) is that what's right for one person isn't for another, that we all have do things according to what's right for our situation and that judging others parenting abilities isn't as always clear cut as they want to make it out to be.
We are trying to conceive and we've been reading a lot already. I only have one sibling and she doesn't have any kids...I have no family in the area and I haven't been around a baby since I was a kid so I really don't have a lot of knowledge in the area at all to know what to do. Like just today I was wondering if I could wear blue jeans throughout my pregnancy so I had to look it up. So much stuff that I have no idea about and no one really to ask, so I'm thankful for books and the library!
I try to research everything before I do it and while I'm doing it. Nothing wrong with having as many resources and ideas as possible, even if you end up following 'maternal instinct' some, most or all of the time. Thinking about what you're doing, examining your life and trying to improve is a good thing
i read the ';what to expect when expecting'; book, (my first pregnancy)but, that is as far as i took it. i felt i didnt need other people telling me what to do or how to raise my son. i went on instinct, and my son is just fine. of course i took the doctors advice and my mothers advice, but, i didnt read any books.
I have read books during all my Pregnancies(3)and four kids,it doesn't make you a better parent,it gives you a little more knowledge! Children don't come with a book,maternal instinct come naturally.You apparently have done okay,so it goes to show,you didn't need a book to raise a child.God gave you all you needed to take care of a child,YOU AND THE LOVE OF YOUR CHILD!! Good Luck I'm sure you are a great mom!
i read a book what to expect week by week and it was interesting to know what my body is doing and how the baby is growing. i went with instinct as well. i have younger brothers so i knew somewhat to do.