The way we nurture our babies, from their earliest moments, has a lifelong effect on their health and happiness. What many of us have known instinctively is now a matter of science. Study after study proves that how we hold, feed, play with and settle our babies is a major factor in their long-term wellbeing. Dr Howard Chilton has been a neonatologist (a babies' physician) for over thirty years. He has seen numerous baby-care fads come and go, but has always held to the philosophy now proved by you can't give your baby too much love.In Your Cherished Baby, Dr Chilton introduces mothers to a complete approach for settling, feeding and engaging their 0-2 infants. He explains the neurological processes of both baby and mother in this early bonding period. He debunks the myth of baby routines, provides a compelling explanation for colic and excessive crying, and argues for the introduction of varied foods to aid the development of a child's palette and to guard against obesity later in life.Most prevalent to many a sleep-deprived parent, Dr Chilton presents a practical alternative to controlled crying, a currently popular sleep settling technique that he regards as inhumane. Accessible, compassionate and occasionally controversial, Your Cherished Baby is the essential guide to giving babies the best possible start in life.
This book has everything that modern day parents need to hear. I say that because the 'cry it out' method is often suggested by older generations and this book states that that method is harmful and the infant will feel abandoned. There's so many other parts to this book that were amazingly helpful, relatable and insightful. All references are at the end of the book.
This book does assume you have a bottomless pit of energy.... and a lot of capable, reliable friends and family constantly offering help or accepting your requests for help... but this is often not the reality for new mums (or any mum!).