The Bottom Line for Baby

July 6, 2020
Psychotherapist Bryson (No-Drama Discipline) offers a splendid guide to help parents and caregivers “wade through the cacophony” of sometimes conflicting information and opinions about baby care. Bryson’s goal is to provide guidance “based on the latest science.” The book addresses topics alphabetically, with each entry organized into three main sections: “Competing Opinions,” “What the Science Says,” and “The Bottom Line.” There are topics that were certainly in baby care books a generation ago, such as spanking, though “the bottom line” (pun aside) here is probably different than what older books would recommend—Bryson is against the practice. There are also many topics new to the world of baby care, like screen time and digital privacy, and so much in between, including co-sleeping, food allergens (and early exposure), and pacifier use. The only possible caveat for readers might be that the alphabetic organization splits big topics across a number of pages (breastfeeding, for instance, is addressed separately with “Alcohol and Breastfeeding” and “Breastfeeding vs. Formula,” among others), but the detailed table of contents makes it easy to jump to the issue of interest. Parents, grandparents, and caretakers would do well to pick up this comprehensive work. Agent: Doug Abrams, Idea Architects.

August 1, 2020
Advice for new parents comes from all directions: books, doctors, social media, friends, and grandparents. How can you sift through it when you're sleep-deprived and your baby wails? Enter child development professional Bryson. This straightforward, easy-to-use reference focuses on babies from birth to 12 months, listing topics alphabetically, from Alcohol and Breastfeeding to Walkers. The format is simple. Bryson first identifies the concern, offers two competing opinions, presents the scientific facts, and then gives The Bottom Line recommendations. Where there is indisputable evidence, such as about reading to your infant, Bryson is firm. But in many cases, she weighs the factors and offers readers help in making their decisions (usually recommending getting input from a pediatrician). Occasionally Bryson, a mother of three, offers a personal note. The scope of the book is surprisingly wide and covers a variety of concerns that are hot topics among millennials, including co-sleeping, daycare, disposable diapers, dream feeding, organic clothing, and screen time. Bryson's tone is warm and reassuring, just what new parents need, and her practical advice will be welcome.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)