As a busy Auckland midwife, the author has seen many first-time parents struggling to cope with the realities of a newborn baby, and decided that what they needed was the equivalent of an owner's manual. The User's Guide to the New Zealand Baby provides practical advice and realistic guidelines on child development from birth to eighteen months, providing current information on well-child care provided in the New Zealand environment, reflecting New Zealand child rearing practices. While it does not set out to answer every question, identify every rash or predict every developmental step, it is a guide to the typical with some reference to the uncommon, and will help answer most of a new parent's questions and concerns. The book also provides up to date references for specialist services and support groups associated with issues concerning babies and toddlers. Month by month care to the age of 12 months is covered, with exercise programs for the mother, as well as suitable recipes for mother and child, games to play and songs and rhymes to sing. Average developmental milestones are provided for each month, as well as checklists for home visits by Plunket, GP visits and immunisations. Chapters are also included on Establishing care and routines in the first month, Talking and speech development, Premature babies and their care, Multiples, Common illnesses and Tales of the Unexpected. This covers deviations from the norm from birthmarks and dislocated hips to the more common congenital abnormalities and disabilities, with advice to help families cope and referral to appropriate assistance and service providers.

From the Author

This book does not promise miracle cures that will have your baby sleeping through the night from three weeks, always settling to sleep from birth and sticking to a routine. It will provide simple information that will help you to trust your instincts and have realistic expectations of your baby.

From the Author