This fully updated guide offers "parent-tested, pediatrician-approved" advice for new parents finding themselves overwhelmed with the reality of caring for a baby in the first eight weeks of its life. The second edition features a wealth of new information on topics such as vaccines, child care providers, babies and learning, car seats, safe sleep, cord blood, what to keep in the medicine cabinet, postpartum depression, and organic formulas. With wit and humor, the pediatrician moms allay the feelings of anxiety, guilt, and inadequacy that inevitably plague first-time parents home alone with a newborn, providing authoritative yet compassionate advice for the sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. From "Going with the Flow" (the trials of breastfeeding) and "What Goes in Must Come Out" (a discussion of "pee and poop") to "Fever: Trial by Fire" and "Seeing Yellow: Jaundice," this handbook provides solid, practical, balanced guidance that will enable parents to feel confident about their parenting skills.
Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This book packs the advice of a parenting class, a doctor’s visit, and a best friend into one indispensable package." —Library Journal, on the first edition
"The authors do an outstanding job of handling the basics, and this remains one of the best bringing-baby-home books in print." —Library Journal-Book Smack
"In an era of one-size-fits-all parenting advice, this book truly stands out." —Armin Brott, author, The Expectant Father series, on the first edition
"Its spirited, light, and conversational tone makes readers feel like they are talking to a trusted good friend who just happens to be a pediatrician." —John C. Nelson, MD, MPH, obstetrician-gynecologist, past president, American Medical Association, on the first edition
"A family-friendly, easily read…guide to the unique experience of caring for a newborn that is both practical and medically sound." —Lillian Blackmon, MD former chair, AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn
"The advice you’d get from your sister or best friend, if she had her baby only last year." —Gil Fuld, MD AAP, News Editorial Advisory Board
"This book will lower your stress about raising your child. It is a wonderful narrative that reads as if it was a conversation among friends. You can have a shared learning experience with the authors who are moms, docs, and daughters and really do know." —George A. Strait, former medical correspondent, ABC News
From the Publisher
Winner of the:
2006 Benjamin Franklin Award (parenting category)
2006 Midwest Book Award (health category)
2005 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award (health category) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
2006 Benjamin Franklin Award (parenting category)
2006 Midwest Book Award (health category)
2005 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award (health category) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
241 of 246 people found the following review helpful
By Ellen Marks
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are people who already have a great depth of infant care experience when they have their first child--have changed so many diapers they can do it with their teeth, can get a onesie over a newborn's head without waking her, can swaddle a baby into immobility with a flick of the wrist. We are not those people. We needed help, and we found a lot of it here.
My husband and I both read this book cover to cover before we brought our son home from the hospital, and referred to it often afterward. It has terrific practical advice for the new parent, with informative illustrations--such as demonstrating how to get those cute new outfits on your infant when they have clearly been designed by someone who has never actually dressed a baby-- and is written in a casual, clear style that makes it easily readable and memorable. We went back to it often: "What colors of poop did it say were okay?" "What did it say about the difference between projectile spit up and vomiting?" (Asked as something ran down a wall two feet away.) "Is it possible the baby really wants to eat every 45 minutes?" We suspect its discussion of growth spurts saved our sanity, if not our lives.
This book focuses on the nitty-gritty of the new obsessions you'll have with the bodily functions and sleep habits of your new arrival, and how to balance them with your own. It is a cheerful, engaging, sympathetic and nonjudgmental guidebook, and we appreciated it tremendously in our early weeks home. Highly recommended.
My husband and I both read this book cover to cover before we brought our son home from the hospital, and referred to it often afterward. It has terrific practical advice for the new parent, with informative illustrations--such as demonstrating how to get those cute new outfits on your infant when they have clearly been designed by someone who has never actually dressed a baby-- and is written in a casual, clear style that makes it easily readable and memorable. We went back to it often: "What colors of poop did it say were okay?" "What did it say about the difference between projectile spit up and vomiting?" (Asked as something ran down a wall two feet away.) "Is it possible the baby really wants to eat every 45 minutes?" We suspect its discussion of growth spurts saved our sanity, if not our lives.
This book focuses on the nitty-gritty of the new obsessions you'll have with the bodily functions and sleep habits of your new arrival, and how to balance them with your own. It is a cheerful, engaging, sympathetic and nonjudgmental guidebook, and we appreciated it tremendously in our early weeks home. Highly recommended.
91 of 94 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Most infant care books fall into two groups: those written by doctors and those written by moms. The books by doctors are usually dry and boring but are packed with information - lots of which you'll never need. The books written by moms are easier to read but are usually one sided - if you don't do things their way, you're a bad mother.
This book is written by two doctors who are also moms. They know what is best for most babies but they also know that new parents live in the real world - a world that doesn't always work out just like the text book says it should and that not all babies fit into a mold. In fun, short chapters they quickly tell you what you need to know to care for your newborn (0 to 4 months).
The book is an easy read and a great reference during the first, chaotic, sleep-deprived months of a baby's life.
This book is written by two doctors who are also moms. They know what is best for most babies but they also know that new parents live in the real world - a world that doesn't always work out just like the text book says it should and that not all babies fit into a mold. In fun, short chapters they quickly tell you what you need to know to care for your newborn (0 to 4 months).
The book is an easy read and a great reference during the first, chaotic, sleep-deprived months of a baby's life.
87 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I registered for this book after having read great reviews of it. My mom laughed at the name, "from birth to reality!?" but she was so wrong. This is my first child, and although I knew I didn't know everything there is to know, I did have the opportunity to watch my brother be born when I was 12 and help take care of him as a newborn. Now, of course, this book doesn't (and couldn't) cover every facet of raising a brand new baby, but it gets 5 stars because it is so enjoyable to read and it is a great reference book! I know I will bring it with me to the hospital and when at home it will always be nearby on the coffee table. I couldn't imagine not being able to easily figure out what to do in certain tricky situations when under loads of stress and suffering mind blanks from very little sleep!
The writers don't try to sell you on breastfeeding, which as far as I have seen is pretty rare; they just give you tips on either breastfeeding or bottlefeeding, and you quickly learn the pros and cons of each. They also do a very good job informing you about pacifiers.
They go into great detail about poop and pee, and whether your baby is doing enough etc. Also some pretty good info on gas, spitting up and vomiting.
The doctors who write the book help you understand what will really happen as you try to get enough sleep for you and your baby, bathe, and soothe crying. They even have great diagrams on how to wrap up your baby to sleep, change diapers, dress your newborn, and bathe her too.
The section on leaving the houseis invaluable! I would have never felt ok with staying in for weeks, even though I already knew I would probably have to. Most mothers go through this very dilemma. You even get great ideas on flying with your baby!
The end is full of doctor visits, and body part care, sickness, etc., and also really helpful.
I can't suggest strongly enough that any mother (or father) to be reads this book before going home. I will make sure any friends or family that are preparing for their first baby read it, and you should too!
The writers don't try to sell you on breastfeeding, which as far as I have seen is pretty rare; they just give you tips on either breastfeeding or bottlefeeding, and you quickly learn the pros and cons of each. They also do a very good job informing you about pacifiers.
They go into great detail about poop and pee, and whether your baby is doing enough etc. Also some pretty good info on gas, spitting up and vomiting.
The doctors who write the book help you understand what will really happen as you try to get enough sleep for you and your baby, bathe, and soothe crying. They even have great diagrams on how to wrap up your baby to sleep, change diapers, dress your newborn, and bathe her too.
The section on leaving the houseis invaluable! I would have never felt ok with staying in for weeks, even though I already knew I would probably have to. Most mothers go through this very dilemma. You even get great ideas on flying with your baby!
The end is full of doctor visits, and body part care, sickness, etc., and also really helpful.
I can't suggest strongly enough that any mother (or father) to be reads this book before going home. I will make sure any friends or family that are preparing for their first baby read it, and you should too!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok
The book is a very basic primer that glances over some important topics and goes into detail on some less applicable ones. I expected more.
Published 1 day ago by bigbadv
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the tone of this book
I really enjoyed the way this book is written, its much more conversation than medical while still giving some great information.
Published 6 days ago by garnetgurl01
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best newborn guides!
I purchased a number of newborn guides, but this one was my favorite by far. The friends I've recommended it to agree! Read more
Published 8 days ago by gretchlee
3.0 out of 5 stars
Should have said more re: breastfeeding
This book did not fairly warn the reader about how painful & exhausting breastfeeding can be. But I DID appreciate how it gave light to the small things that change when you have... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Viena C. Bone
5.0 out of 5 stars
it has all needed info for expectant parents
When I got pregnant I purchased around 15 books for expectant parents. This one I like the most because it contains all needed and necessary information. Read more
Published 22 days ago by oxana
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Helpful Read...
This is a great reference book for everything newborn. From nursing to taking your baby on their first outing. I found this book very helpful in the first weeks of my son's life.
Published 23 days ago by Madelyn Cruz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have before heading home with newborn.
This book has been a tremendous resource. It has answered about 90 percent of questions or concerns I have had while taking care of my newborn. Read more
Published 29 days ago by choosay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for 1st time moms
I read this while at home on bed rest with my 1st child. Very informative and easy to read. My little guy came early so I still haven't finished it, but who has time to read now. Read more
Published 1 month ago by KDN
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great real life advice!
I have read a lot of different newborn books to prepare for what was to come when my little one arrived. This book by far was the most helpful yet. Read more
Published 1 month ago by KI
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful for new moms but not dry and boring.
I found this book helpful and easy to read after having my first baby. I would recommend this to a friend.
Published 1 month ago by Kristen
