This is a very useful book - whether or not you follow the routines that Gina Ford recommends in her 'Contented Little Baby Book'. In this book, Gina suggests menus for every step of the weaning process and explains the thinking behind introducing new foods so that the baby's digestive system is not overloaded and any intolerances are picked up at once. My 6 month old now enjoys a range of vegetables and fruit that would put a lot of adults to shame so, personally, I feel the book has done its job.
But.... there are some buts. Firstly, preparing homemade, organic food for every meal will not be an option for everyone, although you could still follow the eating plans with commercial food. Secondly, even if you do make food at home, not all of the ingredients are easy to find. I searched every major supermarket chain and a number of healthfood shops and none of them stocked 'baby barley'. None of the people I spoke to had even heard of it.
The third and final problem with this book is the editing, which is what lost the fifth star in my rating. As with 'The Contented Little Baby Book', there are inconsistencies. They don't stop the book being useful - but as you stand there with a hungry baby, trying to double check you've got things right, you need clarity! If Gina or her publisher ever reads this, please make sure that an editor goes through the next editions of both with a fine-toothed comb.
On balance, 'The Contented Little Baby Book of Weaning' is a helpful and useful book, especially for those of us new to motherhood and looking for some guidance. Be prepared to interpret the instructions though, as they will not be practical for everyone and could be presented more clearly.