'How To' Book for Baby Basics- Does it really exist?

[tandt]

Since we'll be first-time parents (of two!), I, and DH too, honestly have no idea how to do a lot of things-- taking a baby's temperature, proper ways/times to bathe (especially when waiting for the cord to fall off), diapering (not just putting them on, but proper wiping, putting ointment, etc) and so on......

I know some of it will kick in with instinct, but we don't have family close to continually learn from them.

Is there a straight-forward 'how to' book with these types of basic things--almost like an instruction book?

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Check with your hospital for a newborn care class. I found the classes there to be pretty useful for first time parents. We got a book along with the class that was pretty helpful.

[tandt]

Check with your hospital for a newborn care class. I found the classes there to be pretty useful for first time parents. We got a book along with the class that was pretty helpful.

LVP, that's a good idea, but unfortunately, they don't have 'how to' type classes for these simple type of items. We're taking childbirth and breastfeeding classes specifically for multiples, but I can't find these type of items available for singletons or multiples.

[Kopper]

I like Dr. Sears' The Baby Book. You are right though, a lot of it will kick in when you have the babies. Your hospital nurses will also help you out and you can learn from them as well. They will tell you about cord care, circumcision care (if needed), swaddling, diapering etc. I'm sure you can ask them anything and they would be willing to help. Also, just come here! :) The CC ladies will help you out. For diaper cream/lotions we didn't use anything unless it was neeeded and he didn't have any problems with rashes until he was older, eatting solids and mobile.

[Kopper]

One other thing.... are you planning on going back to work? If not you might find a local Mom's group to join if you have one. I learned a lot through other moms and still do. Our group does meals for the parents after the baby is born so it might be worth it to join before the babies get here to get to know them and have a little help lined up.

[PinkMartini]

I knew nothing about newborns prior to having my own and have to say that the stay in the hospital after he was born was really helpful! I had never been around a newborn before (EVER) and other than my mom (who was in town when he was born and was helpful) we had nobody either.

I learned a lot in the 24 hours after he was born at the hospital. As far as a book goes, I have a few 'caring for your newborn/infant' books but none that are exactly what you are looking for.

[Marisa]

I also recommend the Baby Book by Dr. Sears. I definitely turned to that one a bunch of times as a brand new mom. They have sections with all the milestones baby should be meeting, things to do when baby is sick, etc.

And definitely take the newborn class if your hospital offers one. You'll also get to meet other families due around the same time as you, maybe you'll make a friend (and you can both go through new-momness together! :))

[yby1]

I had the Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year (because I got it free) and I used it a ton. I think you can find it on eBay for mega-cheap.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

I checked my book shelf and I got the American Academy of Pediatrics "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child" book for free from State Farm. I'm not sure if it is still available, but I found this link with information.

http://free-baby-stuff.yeahbaby.com/free-stuff.php?page=free-american-academy-pediatrics-book

[Scooter]

Another rec for the Dr Sears Baby Book. Great reference book! It walks you through everything, bathing, bonding, feeding (breast, bottle, solids), developmental milestones, etc. Every time something came up, whether it was fever, diaper rash, reflux, or cradle cap, I'd call/email the ped, and in the meantime follow that book's advice. Every single time (without fail) the ped's advice was exactlythe same as the book said. I think every parent needs a copy of that thing! We knew nothing and didn't take a class, just needed that book.

[Smillow]

My husband received this book from my brother-in-law as a Christmas gift:
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1931686238/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237243073&sr=8-1
It is informative with good diagrams.
You also mught check your public library for videos re:infant care.

[BusyBee21]

The "What to Expect the First Year" was a great help to us, and several of my mommy friends IRL. I am very familiar with babies, lots of nieces and nephews, babysitting, etc. But it's totally different when it's your own child, and that book did help quite a bit. Also our hospital offered some great basic classes, with handouts to take home. I made a binder with all of the handouts and kept it handy at home. (oh, I used to be so Type-A before I had Caden) :)

[wendalah]

In the hospital, I was given a "First 5" (California program) kit which included a book and DVD covering basic baby care. It was simply written and organized and I found it useful. You can check to see if your state has a similar program.

My pediatrician also gave me a booklet on newborn care which was really helpful--covered all immediate topics of concern. Ask and see if yours has one.

[tandt]

Thank you ladies for the suggestions. I always check out books from the library before buying, so I'll have to look into the Dr Sears book.

I have the 'Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy' (free from Aetna) and 'When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads'-- and, while they hit briefly on some topics, it's just not enough to let me feel comfortable that I'd know what in the heck I'm doing!

[TerpsFan]

I liked the Dr Sears Baby book but my husband really liked this book...he even ripped out the bathing instruction page and hung it on the wall next to our sink.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513FRS23K9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg

[tandt]

terpsfan, my DH has that book too and loves it!

[RobynScott]

I had the Dr. Sears book - but another book I found REALLY helpful - and I actually still turn to the Toddler edition now - is Baby 411. There are some really good handy-reference questions that tell you when to call the doc, when it's ok to wait, etc.

My mom ordered the book for me and I wound up liking it way more than I would have imagined.

[Ellyn]

I also liked the mayo clinic book, the Amer. Academy of Peds book, and What to expect, too. I know lots of people don't care for the What To Expect books because they can make you obsessively worry over nothing, but there are a lot of good pics, diagrams, how tos in there - you just have to get past the self diagnosing. ;)

Really, no book helped me more than my hospital stay. I had no clue either. My parents and DH's parents were close, but no one helped us with those things. When you are in the hospital ask lots of questions, don't let the nurses dump diapering on you without showing you how/giving you tips, etc. Also ask advice on the sponge bath, circ. healing (if relevant), cord healing, etc. If you get home and still have trouble, call the nurses station in OB...they helped me a lot after DS was born...at all hours of the night!

[wendalah]

Oh my gosh--yes--ask the nurses EVERYTHING! Especially how to diaper and swaddle. They do this all day/night long and they are beyond expert. I had such nice nurses in the hospital. I even ended up bawling on one nurse's shoulder the second night when my daughter wouldn't sleep or eat. I really found that they cared and truly wanted to help.

[PinkMartini]

I really found that they cared and truly wanted to help.

Yes Yes Yes!

My L&D nurse was the sweetest woman on the planet! She was more valuable to me during labor than my own DH/mom/MIL was! She supported me through my contractions and when I got my epidural more than anyone else!

[littlemia]

I checked out a book from the library called "Your Newborn from Head to Toe." I can't remember how much care information it had but I thought it was helpful for knowing for learning about what's normal for newborns. When I woke up to find two-day-old DD looking like she had flea bites all over her, that book kept me from freaking out (turns out it's a common rash called erythema toxicum).