Baby and Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents’ Top 150 Questions

Pediatrician Altmann (What to Feed Your Baby) addresses the first three years of life in this easy-to-navigate, practical guide. In 14 chapters presented in a question-and-answer format, Altmann covers topics that include basic baby care, fever, coughs, feeding, vaccines, and sleep. The mother of three sons, Altmann comfortably segues between the role of knowledgeable MD and friendly mom. Text boxes highlight such useful tips as what to keep nearby while nursing (water, a snack, a pillow), how to stock a baby bag, and what to feed a constipated baby (prune juice mixed with breast milk or formula). Parents and caregivers will also benefit from her clear directions, accentuated by a telephone symbol, on when a problem merits a call to the doctor. Altmann takes care to clarify whether info pertains to newborns (birth through three months), infants (four months through one year), or toddlers (age one through three), noting that many answers vary by age. Although she asserts that breastfeeding is healthiest, she leaves room for mothers to decide whether feeding breast milk or formula works best for them. New and prospective parents will find that Altmann’s compact, concise primer is a valuable source of reassurance and advice. (Feb.)