This helpful book for parents on surviving the first 30 days with a newborn delights as it instructs. Dr Christophersen, a pediatric psychologist, is well known for his previous parents' book on child rearing and behavior problems, entitled Little People: Guidelines for Common Sense Child Rearing. His new book is practical, accurate, and detailed, yet humorously seasoned with "new car" analogies.
The book prepares parents for the realities of a newborn—the time demands, the crying, the need for help, and a reminder that real babies do not look or act like "Gerber babies." The book cautions parents about unnecessary procedures such as probing the ear canals with cotton swabs or applying prophylactic creams to the diaper area. Some of the best sections are on safety issues, including six persuasive pages on car seats. The role of the father is emphasized throughout, an assignment the author clearly enjoys. The only error