Baby Care Basics (Paperback)

My daughter-in-law is having a baby, and it'll be our first grandchild. I got her this book, which was produced by three doctors from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, one of the world's leading pediatric care hospitals since 1875. The book provides exactly what the title claims, covering the basics in a friendly and concise book which still manages to be extensive and authoritative. It's easy to read, with each chapter divided up into lots of very small sections, including sidebars, notes, pull quotes, FAQs, and “Works Best for…” bullet points, with clear headings, so you can find what you're looking for quickly (even in the middle of a 3 a.m. feeding). I've had several children of my own and have had some training as a midwife, so I was glad to see the practical, accurate, relaxed and down-to-earth information new parents need, with a minimum of panic-inducing “see your doctor” commands. For example “Sleep when your baby sleeps,” is just the sort of advice every new mother needs, as well as a chapter introduction that advises new moms to just focus on them and the baby their first month together. There are many practical tips, like how to hold and swaddle your infant. There is some great info on breast-feeding, including different positions, how to get a good latch, and treating common problems. The book continues on through the first year, covering sleep, eating, teeth, and sickness, with some helpful charts on development stages. I especially liked the listing of how to interpret your baby's cries — which generally increases toward 6 weeks, and diminishes thereafter, the book notes. The soft-cover book is well-bound, with nice paper, and includes lots of photos for reference as well.