I was given a copy of this book when I was pregnant with my first child. It quickly became a very useful guide in my house. From minor medical, to milestones and more I used this book to look up everything. In fact like with many self help books I never read it cover to cover and rather used it like an encyclopedia. I found it very easy to use the index to find the topic I was interested in, all the pages that covered that topic and then get to reading/learning. This book probably saved my doctor and own mother several sleepless nights as I consulted it before panicking and picking up the phone. I even referred back to several times when I was pregnant with my second child. It is a great book and an excellent gift for a first time mom!