O to 2 Baby & You: A Pediatrician's Handbook for Practical Parenting

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The birth of a child is a momentous occasion. As a pediatrician, it has been a pleasure and privilege to participate in the birth and growth of families for over twenty-five years. Just as a baby grows and develops, parents too grow and develop. Parenting does not come easy. Young parents need guidance and seek advice from grandparents, friends, books and the internet. The problem facing young parents is not a lack of knowledge but rather too much information. What parents need is clear, concise, practical and authentic advice that is culturally acceptable.

As a pediatrician one has the unique opportunity to help families grow and develop. In practice however, most of us are too busy looking after illnesses and solving problems. To solve this problem, I have been giving handouts to parents on various parenting topics. These brief handouts have generally been well received, and over the years many parents suggested that the handouts could be compiled in the form of a book. This book is born from such requests from parents. It is hoped that the book will discuss a lot of issues a pediatrician would love to discuss with parents, but is unable to do so due to lack of time.

The format of the book is designed to guide parents through a baby's first two years of life.

Chapter 1 discusses the health supervision of infants. Each section discusses what is expected during a scheduled visit to a pediatrician. The first section is on the newborn. Subsequent sections discuss visits to a pediatrician at 10 days, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. Each section will guide parents on what they need to look for, do and ask, at each stage in the infant's life. It gives parents a road map, so that parents know what they need to do.

I am happy to write a foreword to this very informative book authored by Dr. Mahesh Balsekar, a pediatrician, and Malvika Choudhary, a psychologist. Parenting requires that a child is looked after medically, but more important, in an emotionally nurturing environment. The format of the book has blended the medical and psychological aspects of parenting in a scientifically accurate but practical manner.

Birth to two years is the most formative period of life. A healthy infancy lays the foundation of health and gives a head start for lifelong fitness. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. While physical health is generally well cared for, mental health is often neglected for want of correct information. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health needs proper nurturing through early childhood.

Parents need guidance and authentic information on the various issues related to a child's life. However, there is a wide variation amongst children, and parents must understand their baby's uniqueness. Parents play a central role in providing responsible care for their children, and this book presents all the necessary information to make it possible.

The book provides excellent insights into the various aspects of health supervision of children. Parenting is often confusing due to divergent opinions from 'well-wishers'. This book will offer clarity to parents by guiding them through the first two years of life. The book has provided checklists so that parents' concerns are addressed, and explanations are sought. Parents will find evidence-based scientific information on nutrition, growth, development and immunisation backed by the art of how to implement such information. The chapter on parenting addresses common behavioural issues in infancy. It gives parents an understanding on how to prevent common problems and to evolve ideal corrective measures. Traditional practices handed over generations are well analysed for their strength and weaknesses. Resources for further reading are a value-added unique feature of the book.

Early childhood is a period of innocence and provides an ideal opportunity to mould a child into a perfect physical and mental health. Parents need to be proactive through correct interventions, while providing lots of freedom and a bit of discipline. Above all parents need to be 'role models. The authors have greatly succeeded in providing a platform for parents to excel.

This book is worth a treasure and I urge parents to follow it like a religious sermon. It has an ability to transform the next generation into perfect health. I compliment the authors for such a wonderful gift to parents.