Advice for New Parents: A Global Perspective
How do I get my baby to sleep? Is it possible to spoil my infant? How do I bond with this new little person in my life? Read on for a great source of advice for new parents, drawing on tried and true traditions from around the world. Plus don’t miss the GIVEAWAY at the end of the post!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Feed the Baby Hummus for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When I first became a mom, one of the best things that happened to me was making friends with other moms. It was such a great way to find support and to get advice about everything from nursing to how to find a few minutes for myself. Having a pool of other parents to talk to was a wonderful way to broaden my base of knowledge.
Now imagine expanding that little group to include billions of parents from around the world – and stretching back generations! That is exactly what you will find in the marvelous new book Feed the Baby Hummus: Pediatrician-backed Secrets from Cultures Around the World
This is the book that I wish had been available when I first became a parent! It offers in-depth advice for new parents on a wide range of topics, such as infant massage, whether to let the baby cry it out, and how to nurture a strong connection with your child. Dr. Lewis draws on her own experience as a mother as well as her years of work as a pediatrician. She explores baby-rearing practices from countries as diverse as India, Korea, and Italy, all the while teaching you practical steps for how you can incorporate them into your own parenting routine.
But this isn’t just a book for us “global types” or a novelty book of cultural curiosities – it is full of practical advice for any new parent searching for tips of how to nurture and bond with their infant.
I remember those early days, when I was so insecure about everything and worried about doing it all wrong – Dr. Lewis has a lovely way of calming those fears by offering heavily researched but easy to digest information (I love how she knows the “mom brain” and puts her information into very easy to follow steps and bullets).
You’re not just following a friend’s weird sounding technique for soothing a baby (that she swears works!) or giving in to your aunt’s suggestions of what to feed your little one. Each piece of advice for new parents included in the book has been tested and is given with a pediatrician’s complete safety tips and guidelines. Want to try infant massage or worried about how to give your child a bath? Here you can find complete step-by-step instructions on how to do it safely and effectively!
But don’t think that this is a cold, clinical presentation of the facts. It is joyful and warm and at every turn encourages you to build a close, loving relationship with your little one and infuse every interaction with tenderness for your child.
I also love that this book is a judgment free zone. Dr. Lewis presents a wide range of options, encouraging you to try the ones that suit your family and situation. She doesn’t enter into, for example, the breast versus bottle debate, instead stressing the importance of closeness during feeding in whatever form. And as an adoptive mother herself, Dr. Lewis also truly appreciates the beautiful diversity of family structures and situations.
I highly recommend Feed the Baby Hummus: Pediatrician-backed Secrets from Cultures Around the World
Giveaway: Enter for a Chance to Win Your Own Copy!
One lucky winner will receive a copy of Feed the Baby Hummus: Pediatrician-backed Secrets from Cultures Around the World
Contest ends March 19, 2018, at midnight PT. Winner chosen by random drawing.
-6 Comments-
You already know your own baby more than anyone else in the world, you held them for 9 months. Trust yourself.
What a beautiful perspective, I love it!
“This too shall pass.” Sometimes you’re trying to help your little one through a certain stage and it feels so hard, but it is a stage and you will both get through it and the next challenge will come your way. It helps me to have more patience, knowing that there is an end in sight.
Great perspective! That really does help!
This sounds like a great book! I received SO much advice (solicited and unsolicited) but by far the best piece was to trust my mommy gut. I had many other moms tell me to trust myself, that I know what’s best for my kiddos. And that has helped with many hard decisions along this parenting road. 🙂
That is really great advice! Sometimes it can be hard for us to trust ourselves, especially in the beginning.