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Looking Out for Number Two: A Slightly Irreverent Guide to Poo, Gas, and Other Things That Come Out of Your Baby – A Top Gastroenterologist's Manual on Newborn Wellness
What to Expect When You're Expecting meets What's Your Poo Telling You? in this informative, entertaining, and practical guide to understanding your baby’s digestion.
Let’s face babies don’t do much. So when we want to know how a baby is feeling, we look at how they are eating, sleeping, and pooping. But baby digestion is a complicated landscape, and most parents struggle to interpret everything from burps and grunts to diapers and spit-up. In fact, for parents of newborns, digestive issues are one of the leading causes of pediatrician visits.
Enter Bryan Vartabedian, MD, one of America’s top pediatric gastroenterologists. In Looking Out for Number Two, Dr. Vartabedian draws on more than twenty years of experience as a doctor and father to present an insightful yet irreverent guide to newborn digestive what goes in, what comes out, and what it all means.
In this accessible, easy-to-use manual, Dr. Vartabedian tackles everything from standard questions about burping positions and bowel movements to hot button issues like the role of the microbiome in the development of allergies and the debate over breast milk versus formula. Throughout, he soothes parents’ concerns and answers their most urgent "Is this normal?"
Complete with illustrations, lively anecdotes, and a healthy dose of humor, Looking Out for Number Two is required reading for every new parent and is sure to become an instant classic.
Let’s face babies don’t do much. So when we want to know how a baby is feeling, we look at how they are eating, sleeping, and pooping. But baby digestion is a complicated landscape, and most parents struggle to interpret everything from burps and grunts to diapers and spit-up. In fact, for parents of newborns, digestive issues are one of the leading causes of pediatrician visits.
Enter Bryan Vartabedian, MD, one of America’s top pediatric gastroenterologists. In Looking Out for Number Two, Dr. Vartabedian draws on more than twenty years of experience as a doctor and father to present an insightful yet irreverent guide to newborn digestive what goes in, what comes out, and what it all means.
In this accessible, easy-to-use manual, Dr. Vartabedian tackles everything from standard questions about burping positions and bowel movements to hot button issues like the role of the microbiome in the development of allergies and the debate over breast milk versus formula. Throughout, he soothes parents’ concerns and answers their most urgent "Is this normal?"
Complete with illustrations, lively anecdotes, and a healthy dose of humor, Looking Out for Number Two is required reading for every new parent and is sure to become an instant classic.
- GenresParenting
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 24, 2025
You probably don’t need to read this, but if you do, YOU DO. Anything that puts more data in my parenting toolbox is a win, and this one delivered.
May 7, 2019
I loved this book. Yes, I loved a book about poop. As a new mom, I've come to realize that so much of my baby's happiness (i.e. my sanity) is related to feeding, burping, and pooping. This book offers clear, evidence-based information on the entire baby gut. It's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and a quick read. Unlike other pregnancy/parenting books I've read, this one wasn't patronizing or whackadoodle crazy. Just plain helpful and enjoyable. I think this will be my go-to baby shower gift for new parents.
March 16, 2021
This is a very important read for any new parent / parent-to-be! I picked this up from an op shop intending to gift it to a friend who had just had a baby, but I have decided to keep it as a lend around to all of my friends who are parents!
Dr. Bryan Vartabedian has explained what we can learn from our babies' poo (and all the other things that come out, as the title suggests). The first part focuses on what goes into a baby, and the second part focuses on what comes out. And along the way, we learn many valuable things about allergies, intolerances, pre- and pro- biotics and all the upsets and diseases/dysfunctions that babies can develop relating to the gut.
He writes in such an entertaining, humorous way that it is a breeze to get through. Another reason why it's so easy to read, is that it is just so darned interesting! He advocates for all the natural ways of going about birthing and feeding your baby as far as it is possible. Some of the science behind it, I was aware of, but there was so much more I didn't know before and I continue to marvel at the relationship between the human body and bacteria and how well the world of living organisms has been created.
I recommend this book to any new parent or parent-to-be, especially if you're unfamiliar with the value and know-how of getting bugs into your little one - the good kind!
Dr. Bryan Vartabedian has explained what we can learn from our babies' poo (and all the other things that come out, as the title suggests). The first part focuses on what goes into a baby, and the second part focuses on what comes out. And along the way, we learn many valuable things about allergies, intolerances, pre- and pro- biotics and all the upsets and diseases/dysfunctions that babies can develop relating to the gut.
He writes in such an entertaining, humorous way that it is a breeze to get through. Another reason why it's so easy to read, is that it is just so darned interesting! He advocates for all the natural ways of going about birthing and feeding your baby as far as it is possible. Some of the science behind it, I was aware of, but there was so much more I didn't know before and I continue to marvel at the relationship between the human body and bacteria and how well the world of living organisms has been created.
I recommend this book to any new parent or parent-to-be, especially if you're unfamiliar with the value and know-how of getting bugs into your little one - the good kind!
July 5, 2018
This was the most helpful book. Being a first time Mum it really helped me navigate through the first critical months without freaking out too much about the whole baby colic, reflux, spit ups issue that I now know seems to affect almost all newborns. With the help of this book I managed to get through those months without the need to have baby put on reflux medications or simply place my baby on unproven over the counter remedies that so many parents often turn to in desperation. I placed my baby on some medically proven effective probiotics that helped him through the colic phase after reading this book and researching the strain a little further. I had received all manner of advice to try gripe waters and other similar remedies by well meaning parents some of which after I had looked into it were unsuitable and even considered dangerous for a baby of his age. My baby’s paediatrician was impressed that I had gone straight to the right strain of probiotics thanks to the advice in this book. It’s so well written in an easy to understand manner and often very humorous. Essential reading for new parents in my eyes. Would make a great baby shower present.
October 6, 2020
I rolled my eyes when my husband bought this for me. Why do I need a whole book about poo? Gross.
But this book actually encompasses a whole lot of things from how a baby’s digestion system is different than adults, differences between all the types of formula available, the function of probiotics, colic management etc. I can honestly say this is one of the most useful parenting books I have ever read and will be recommending it to anyone I know that has or will soon have a baby. The writer has a wealth of experience - 20 years as a pediatric gastrologist, so I very much trust all his incredibly useful information. It gets to the meat and potatoes of every topic making it easy to read, no matter what level of sleep deprivation you might be in. It’s also worth noting he is pretty funny, and I was thoroughly impressed with how many different terms he has for poop.
But this book actually encompasses a whole lot of things from how a baby’s digestion system is different than adults, differences between all the types of formula available, the function of probiotics, colic management etc. I can honestly say this is one of the most useful parenting books I have ever read and will be recommending it to anyone I know that has or will soon have a baby. The writer has a wealth of experience - 20 years as a pediatric gastrologist, so I very much trust all his incredibly useful information. It gets to the meat and potatoes of every topic making it easy to read, no matter what level of sleep deprivation you might be in. It’s also worth noting he is pretty funny, and I was thoroughly impressed with how many different terms he has for poop.
May 1, 2019
Surprisingly a quick read for how medical it read. Enjoyed the authors irreverancy and informal writing style. Had some very good info, but I really just wanted the last couple chapters. Although the information on what goes in being the most important contributor to what comes out, the value of breastfeeding, and the frequent reminders that everything is probably ok, and it's okay to be a stool gazer, all stood out as valuable contributions.
May 14, 2017
If I have anything to complain about, it was that after 300 pages of reading about baby poop, I still wanted more. Well written, clearly full of knowledge and experience, a really nice balance of science and common sense, and a straightforward yet humorous tone that makes it alright to be curious about the topic. I loved it and wanted more.
May 29, 2017
Great look at just what it professes to cover: breast milk, baby poo, microbiome, understanding colic and allergy and intolerance. I'd say required reading if you have a baby between 0 and 1 year old
August 16, 2017
Interesting, informative, and funny
November 23, 2024
Fantastic read! Informative, succinct, and humorous. Kept me engaged throughout, and I learnt a lot.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews