My employer’s insurance company gave us the "Mayo Clinic Guide to New Born Babies." It was an encyclopedia like book that addressed all of the fundamentals of caring for an infant from diapers and bathing to swaddling and feeding amounts, to tips on breastfeeding techniques, to expected feeding amounts, to basic first aid, etc.
We got a second general reference at the advice of my sister.
“Your Baby and Child, From Birth to Age Five,” by Penelope Leach is one of the leading books on infant and toddler care. It was a great all-around reference to have for a new infant and young child. It addresses everything from a managing through the first five years covering a standard array of issues at several specific age breaks. She also provides a great perspective on everything she addresses, from managing diaper rash to understanding how much food a two year old really needs to get by. Here are the general categories that her book addresses.
| The Newborn · Getting together · The first days of life · Newborn characteristics · Feeding and growing · Everyday care · Excreting · Sleeping · Crying and comforting · Learning from each other · Heavy heads and reflexes · Senses and sensations | First six months · Feeding and growing · Teeth and teething · Everyday care · Excreting · Sleeping · Crying and Comforting · Muscle Power · Seeing and Understanding · Hearing and Making Sounds · Playing and learning · Loving and Spoiling | The Older baby 6-12 months · Feeding and growing · Teeth and teething · Everyday care · Excreting · Sleeping · Crying and Comforting · More Muscle Power · Seeing and doing · Listening and talking · Playing and learning · Enjoying the bridge from baby to toddler |
| The Toddler (From one to two years) ½ · Eating and growing · Teeth and teething · Everyday care · Toilet mastery · Sleeping · Crying and comforting · Even more muscle power · Learning speech · Playing and thinking · Moving into early childhood | The Young Child From 2 1/2 - 5) · Eating and growing · Teeth and teething · Everyday care · Toilet mastery and after · Sleeping · Crying and coping · Bodies minds and feelings · Talking · Playing and thinking · Learning how to behave · Early years education | |
One thing you’ll appreciate is that she addresses the parents’ needs as well. For instance, you go at 1000% when your baby is first born because you’re terrified of making a mistake. I remember sitting up all night with our daughter in an arm for the first night at home because I was terrified of moving and waking her up. Dr. Leach reminds you to take care of yourself, helping you keep things in perspective. While the Mayo clinic book was comprehensive, this one was more empathetic.
