Dr. Spock's the First Two Years: The Emotional and Physical Needs of Children from Birth to Age 2

Pocket Books is releasing two companion collections of essays by the bestselling Benjamin Spock, the author of Baby and Child Care, one of the most widely read parenting books ever written. Both are edited by Spock collaborator Martin T. Stein. Dr. Spock's The First Two Years: The Emotional and Physical Needs of Children from Birth to Age Two guides parents through baby colic, infant fretfulness, diaper rash, spitting-up, choosing a doctor, first foods, ear infections, walking, separation anxiety, toilet training, the dangers of spoiling children and many other challenges. Uninitiated parents will be pleased with Spock's trademark common sense: on contemporary parents' lack of confidence in their own child-rearing judgments, the pediatrician cites young couples' tendency to settle down far from grandparents. This can leave them dependent on experts ""who... belittle and condescend to their... readers."" ( Aug. 14)