Educating Mummy

THINK about it: Parenthood is the most demanding, the most responsible job we do, yet no one trains us or prepares us for it! We study to become engineers, lawyers, doctors, but not parents. I don8217;t know about you, but I definitely love being a parent though I do find it confusing 8212; and was even more so when my son was a baby.

Of course, we were blessed because we had the benefit of the care of a sensitive and caring pediatrician. That was 16 years ago and today, the same light-eyed soft-spoken grandfather of three has been hailed as India8217;s answer to Dr Spock. His book Dr R K Anand8217;s Guide to Child Care is the most definitive Indian guide to baby care and bringing up children. Lucid and simple, the book packs an amazing diversity of information, ranging from what to expect during delivery to growth patterns, illnesses, learning and schooling, immunisation and even how divorce impacts children. While hard medical and scientific information forms the backbone of the book, it is fleshed out with Indian conditions in mind. And Dr Anand head of pediatrics at the premier Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai breathes warm life into it with his humane empathy and caring. Dr Anand8217;s book is available at all leading book stores. For more details mail ishanandim.eth.net or phone 022-4932825

P.S. If I have only one regret, it is that Dr Anand8217;s book had not been published when my son was born 16 years ago. Had it been, I would have badgered him far less with my never-ending questions. Anyway, I8217;m using the book now since it is valid for kids upto 18 years of age!

BABY CARE DO8217;S AND DON8217;TS From Dr R K Anand8217;s Guide to Child Care: 8226; Bathe the newborn with lukewarm water the first 7 to 10 days of life. Later on soap and oil maybe used. 8226; Do not put oil into the ears and nostrils of the baby. 8226; Do not clean the tongue and mouth of the baby. 8226; Give only mother8217;s milk for the first five to six months. Frequent urination six times or more in 24 hours in an exclusively breast-fed baby indicates that the baby is getting enough milk as well as water from the mother. 8226; Do not bring a feeding bottle home. Even one bottle feed may mean the end of your dream of successfully breastfeeding your child 8226; A full term breast-fed child does not need vitamins or iron. 8226; A crying infant needs to be picked up. Don8217;t worry about spoiling him. 8226; On arrival of the new baby, give extra body contact and attention to your older child. 8226; All fat babies are not necessarily healthy. It is normal for a baby to gain between half and one kilo in the first month of life. Make sure the baby is weighed on the same scale each time. 8226; Drugs to stimulate appetite should be avoided.