First Time Parents [Paperback]

Miriam Stoppard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2006

Updated to include the latest information on birth options, obstetric procedures, and early baby care, this freshly illustrated, practical guide focuses on the special needs and concerns of new parents.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dr. Miriam Stoppard is one of Britain's best-known childcare and health experts, and the American edition of The New Parent is bound to please an eager readership. Like so many books from DK Publishing, this Essential Guide for All First-Time Mothers and Fathers is a delight to the eyes. A large but not unwieldy hardcover, it is simply much more elegantly designed than most books in the parenting genre. Color photographs and top-quality charts and diagrams set off text that has been grouped into useful, easily digestible chunks. Topics on every new parent's mind are featured in double-page spreads with titles such as "What Happens in Labor," "The First Day," "Breastfeeding," and "Emergency First Aid," accompanied by well laid-out information on a baby's physical, emotional, and cognitive development through the first year. At times, the text may be a little too simplistic, and there are heftier parenting titles that carry more detailed information. The publishers may also have underestimated the jarring effect of inserting American text into a British book as a means of creating the U.S. edition. Essential information--for example, on maternity rights--has of course been rewritten entirely for the U.S. audience, but some recommendations, such as when to start giving solid food, are sharply different from standard American practice. And besides, American strollers just don't look like that! Nonetheless, The New Parent is a useful introductory book for parents expecting their first baby. --Richard Farr --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

These two works join the crowded field of recent books for new parents. Both are pragmatic, presenting valuable information for first timers and those with more experience. However, Stoppard is the more definitive. Better Homes and Gardens New Baby Book is essentially what its subtitle purports. As such, it reads more like an extended advice column in a parenting magazine or an ongoing listserv discussion than a substantial book on taking care of infants. Anecdotes from mothers are sprinkled liberally throughout, hopping from one topic to the next in no discernible fashion; in the course of four pages, one is informed briefly about infant swim classes, dental hygiene, and bedtime routines. The emphasis on motherhood excludes a more contemporary focus on parenting, evident most dramatically in the brief section on returning to work, which focuses solely on the mother's return. The lack of color photographs and illustrations is also detrimental, and the book's spiral binding is not made to withstand heavy circulation. Recommended for public libraries only where demand warrants. Taking up where her Conception, Pregnancy and Birth (LJ 7/93) leaves off, Stoppard's lavishly illustrated book is positive and practical in approach while also providing the insights of a physician. Its chapters are organized in a coherent and interrelated fashion. Stoppard's focus is on both parents and their perspectives, including the possibility of a stay-at-home father. The New Parent also addresses issues such as special-needs children in a positive context and notes the seriousness of postpartum depression. This work is a good complement to Penelope Leach's Your Baby and Child, New Version (LJ 11/15/97). Essential for every parent and the libraries they frequent.?Lisa Powell Williams, Moline P.L., IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1 edition (February 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756617405
• ISBN-13: 978-0756617400
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Book for moms AND dads!, April 24, 2001

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: New Parent (Hardcover)

This is my favorite Dr. Miriam Stoppard book because it is wonderfully organized and has plenty of great photographs and colorful blocks of information. The charts on everything from "What diagnostic tests are," to "What to look out for as your child develops," make this book the most practical book I have seen.

If I had to buy one book for a new parent, this would be it. I love all of Dr. Stoppard's books, but this one is truly a book for mom and dad. This is also a book that focuses on the needs of the parents as well as the needs of the baby. The first-time parents concerns are examined and Dr. Miriam deals with every aspect from preparing for pregnancy to bonding with the baby as a family. The father's role in the childcare is also discussed in more detail. This takes a look at how parenthood will change your life and it offers constructive help on keeping your relationship alive.

This book includes information on the needs of working women, house husbands and single parents. You will learn how to be a caregiver, supporter and teacher, as well as a loving partner. What I love most about this book is that it focuses on the "decision to become a parent." This is much more than just deciding to have a baby. This is about bringing a child into the world and about creating an entire new person.

The process of pregnancy is also fascinating. You will want to check this section throughout your pregnancy. Issues during pregnancy are discussed in great detail. On many of the pages you will also find a block that gives information about how fathers can take an active role.

There is a section on "Sex and Parenthood" which gives some sage advice if you don't want to immediately become pregnant again. A section is devoted to PPD (Postpartum Depression) and explains why this happens and how to deal with it. The best part of this book is the large charts which show the development of your new child. It focuses in on "mind, mobility, coordination, social skills and speech." In this way, you can keep track of how your child is developing and the beauty of these charts is that there is a whole section on "How You Can Help."

This book shows you what it is really like to have a baby! Highly recommended if your goal is to enjoy life and have the knowledge you need to enjoy life as a family.

~The Rebecca Review

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Read & Understand for New Parents, August 8, 2011

By 

SeattleNewlywed - See all my reviews

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This review is from: First-Time Parents (Paperback)

My husband and I have not started reading the book front to back yet, but have looked through it. There are great columns with tips for both moms & dads throughout the book. Pictures help break up the pages of words and add a new element for understanding the material. It is really geared towards both parents, not just the mother, which I love. I am excited to start reading it in a both or two as we get closer to trying.

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative without being overwhelming, April 22, 2011

By 

ayk - See all my reviews

This review is from: First-Time Parents (Paperback)

I bought this book pre-pregnancy... i wanted to read up about pregnancy before trying to conceive. I found this book to be helpful, informative and alot easier to read than alot of the parenting books out there. It wasn't too overwhelming, which helps when you're not pregnant yet. It's quite hard to find a book about pre-conception because most books are about when you've already conceived and only contain small sections about pre-conception, this book had enough information about both... I also like the way that it's written - it's not too clinical or medical which makes it less frightening and easier to understand but it's also not too conversationally or casually written which sometimes comes across as condescending or informal (i.e do i believe what they're saying if it sounds like it's coming from my superstitious mother?!) i would mix my information and refer to this book and probably a more clinical/medical book when i conceive.