Frost, star of ABC television’s Supernanny
(and author of a book by the same title) has no formal training, but viewers and readers alike eagerly tune in to her commonsense advice on parenting, and no doubt this latest effort will be well received by her followers. Frost focuses on the first year of life, addressing the concerns that arise in three-month intervals as a baby grows. Noting that she began her 17-year career by caring for newborns, the author presents her softer side, discarding the professorial glasses and stern expressions of earlier book covers. But this nanny still is fond of order; she includes charts for sleep routines (“no catnap before bedtime”), feeding and weaning schedules. Frost offers useful tips about preparing the nursery, buying equipment and dealing with emotional issues such as postpartum blues. No surprise, when it comes to help after baby arrives, Frost observes, “If you can afford it, nothing beats the one-on-one home care a nanny gives.” For those who don’t have a nanny in the budget, this book—written in the confident yet caring tone Supernanny
fans adore—will serve as a “live-in” readers can keep by their bedsides. (May)
