My sister–who happens to be a pediatrician–gave me this book as a gift during the last few months of my pregnancy.  The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent by Michael Cohen, M.D.

 

I think the gift was two-fold.  1.) She thought it might answer any basic baby questions I had and 2.) She thought it may serve as first line of reference, thus lowering the amount of phone calls she receives from me asking all the annoying first time mom kind of concerns.

 

She was right on one of those accounts.  (After all, what’s the point of having a pediatrician in the family unless you can call her with the most “basic” questions at 3:00 in the morning?)

 

Synopsis:

 The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent is a reference book, outlined alphabetically to cover the most “basic” parent concerns, from Adenoids to X-Rays.  With a simple table of contents, busy parents can easily flip to exactly the page which addresses their particular concern of the moment.  Cohen, author and pediatrician, sends the message to the modern parent that most bumps, bruises, late development, and odd rashes are not much to worry about.  

 

Who this book is for:

The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent is for people who don’t have the luxuryof 24 hour a day pediatric advice.  I referenced the book when my son had excess discharge in one eye.  Reading Cohen’s advice on blocked tear ducts, eased my concerns, and I followed up with my pedetrician about it at my son’s next scheduled visit.

 

Who this book is not for:

This book is not for Web M.D. lovers, or those that want to research a concern until it’s (or you) are exhausted.  Cohen’s advice is direct, short, and may leave some parents feeling a bit unsatisfied if you prefer very detailed explanations.

 

My Final Rating: 4 Stars

Refreshingly, Cohen does not suggest to rush your toddler to the emergency room for a temperature of 98.8 degrees, or worry about college admittance exams for a 13 month old who has yet learned to walk.  His advice is simplistic, realistic, and concise–what all new and modern parents could use more of.