 Jo Frost's Book Excerpt
Congratulations! You’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime – having a baby. To consciously raise a fine, well-adjusted child is the most serious commitment you will ever make in your life. You’re about to bring forth (or perhaps you just have brought forth) new life or, in some cases, new lives, and will be nurturing a tiny being as he or she grows. But what makes this so exciting is that this isn’t just the birth of your child, it is the birth of your family in a new configuration. And, if this is your first, it’s also the birth of you as a parent. Wow! Recently I was with friends as they brought their newborn home from hospital, and I was reminded all over again that all the planning in the world can’t prepare you for the emotion and energy that your newborn will create. You cannot imagine the feeling of holding your baby in your arms until it happens. You’ll be experiencing this fabulous feeling for yourself very soon if you haven’t already. Naturally, however, you need to be prepared if you’re to be the best parent you can, so it’s important to savvy yourself up, to read up about what to expect and how to make things go as smoothly as possible. That’s why I’ve written this book – to give you the information you need to be the excellent parent you want to be. Keep it by your bedside so you can reach for it any time you need as you go through your baby’s first year, and it will help with any questions or concerns you might have. Think of it as your very own live-in me. I’ve also written it for another important reason. No matter how many children you have, remember that this newborn, like all newborns, is a miracle. That’s where the saying ‘bundle of joy’ comes from. But as I’ve listened to people talking about babies over the years, I’ve noticed a lot of negativity – things like, ‘Congratulations, you’re not going to sleep for years’, and lots of advice about how to cope. My approach to baby care isn’t about coping or dealing with strain; it’s about helping you have the confidence to raise your baby in a healthy and contented way. It’s also about learning just who your baby is, for each has his or her own soul, their own spirit, which will unfold and develop before your very eyes. While I’ve never had a baby, over the last seventeen years I’ve been with lots of families as they have brought their newborns home, and I know what a joyful one-of-a-kind experience the first year can be when you’ve got the right attitude, understanding and equipment. Professors, psychologists and paediatricians tell me that what they’ve studied for forty years I’ve grasped ‘in the field’. That’s what I’ll be sharing with you – my secrets for making your baby’s first year the wonder-filled celebration it was meant to be. That’s not to say you won’t experience the rough as well as the smooth. There are going to be times when you feel exhausted or cranky, overwhelmed or worried – if I didn’t say that, I wouldn’t be being honest with you – but that’s all part of becoming a proud parent. Weathering the trials and tribulations along the way is how you learn. This book will help you iron out the bumpy bits so that those moments are in the minority. Your baby, your intuition and I will be your guide. Babies grow quickly and their needs change dramatically over the first year. Which is why, after the initial section on getting prepared, I’ve broken the first year up into three-month chapters, each of which looks at:
I’ve also included a section for parents of babies in exceptional circumstances – multiple births, premature birth and other special needs, and adopted babies – in which I discuss how you might modify my advice to take your circumstances into account. It’s important to bear in mind that while the book is divided into 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months, a baby is a living, breathing human being who grows and develops at their own pace. There aren’t set cut-off points between one phase and the next. What that means, for instance, is that as your baby turns three months old, you might want to read up on the 3-6 month section, knowing that she’s heading there fast. I’m a realist. Instead of saying categorical things like, ‘Don’t heat bottles in the microwave,’ or ‘Don’t use talcum powder,’ you’ll be hearing the whys and the wherefores so that you can make the wisest choices for you. But when I feel it’s absolutely crucial to do something my way, you’ll hear that too. Since the journey is as much about you as about your baby, each section also includes a chapter on your journey as parents, for you too will grow and develop. The first year is the time to create an enduring bond with your baby and set the foundation for positive parent-child interaction that will prevent behaviour problems later. As parents, you’ll learn to think on your feet, multitask, adapt to new challenges, problem-solve, and change direction in a heartbeat. At any given moment, you’ll be entertainer, teacher, nurse or bodyguard. Because babies sense our feelings and take them in, one of the greatest gifts you can give your newborn is a sense of confidence in yourself. It’s my hope that this book will give you the information and support you need to relax and trust yourself more and more. Over the first year, you will come to love and grow with your child who will be part of your life forever. May you treasure this precious time and the precious little one who is coming into your life. © Jo Frost 2007, published by Orion |
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