Book Review: Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week, by Glade B. Curtis, M.D., M.P.H and Judith Schuler, M.S.

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Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week
Completely Revised and Updated, 3rd Edition
By Glade B. Curtis, M.D., M.P.H and Judith Schuler, M.S.
Da Capo Press, 2010
ISBN 10: 0-7382-1371-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-7382-1371-2

Reviewed by Angela Evans - March 3, 2010

Your baby's finally arrived, now what? Thanks to the authors of Your Pregnancy Week by Week comes a new edition of Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week. Completely revised and updated, the third edition of this essential reference guide helps you navigate your way through your baby's first year from setting up the nursery to your baby's first birthday party. Along the way the authors help you to decipher which vaccines your baby needs and when they should get them and how they should develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionaly. The authors also point out what types of problems to keep an eye out for, and what toys and activities are most beneficial for your baby as they reach various milestones throughout their first year.

Unlike many baby guides that simply lump all the information together, this guide is divided into weekly sections. Each week, Dr. Glade B. Curtis, a Board-certified OB/GYN and Judith Schuler explain how big an average, full-term baby is as they enter each new week. They also explain any special baby care or equipment that you are likely to need during each given week, the various milestones of the week, what you might expect to happen during the week, and the toys and type of play that the baby is likely to need or engage in during the week.

It is important to keep in mind when reading and using this book that the weekly milestones that the authors mention are just averages. Some baby's will reach these milestones earlier and some later, all of which is perfectly normal. If you ever wondered if your baby is falling behind, or if you suspect that something is wrong, be sure to consult with your baby's pediatrician as this is just a guide - not a bible. As a guide, however, it is an essential reference for all mothers and mothers-to-be. While some of the information in this guide may be old news to experienced moms, first time moms will find the guidance that the book offers will help soothe their new-mom nerves and to help them learn what their baby should be doing - and about when. Also, while this book is organized by the week, be prepared to skip ahead at times as there is so much information in this book that applies across the entire first year that necessity dictated that it be spread out through the book - such as information on accident proofing your car seat (week 6), diarrhea and when you should call the doctor about it (week 8), the dangers of shaken-baby syndrom (week 17), babies and stress (week 31) - you get the idea. So a good idea might be to read through the entire book once you get it, to get a feel for all the information contained in the book, and then reread the weekly sections as your baby ages.

In addition, if you have an older edition of this book, you might want to upgrade to the new edition for your new baby. Some of the new features of the third edition are sections on cord-blood banking, acupuncture for children, clothes impregnated with insect repellant or sun protection, MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), Pacifiers and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), which types of plastic you should avoid, and more. As well, the sections on food allergies, vaccination guidelines, car seats and other baby equipments, infant massage, colic, and more, have been updated.

While your baby's doctor is the ultimate source for information on your baby and his development, the revised and updated third edition of Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week is an essential at-home reference that will help guide you through your baby's first year - information that will not only help you parent your child, but also alert you when there might be a problem that you should bring to the attention of your baby's pediatrician. A must read for all new moms and moms-to-be!

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Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Sixth Edition, by Glade B. Curtis, M.D., M.P.H and Judith Schuler, M.S.
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