Courtesy American Academy of Pediatrics “A lot of newborn books are very polarizing,” says Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician

Courtesy American Academy of Pediatrics
“A lot of newborn books are very polarizing,” says Dr. Laura Jana, a pediatrician. “Parents either love or hate them. We wanted to address what we wanted to tell, and what parents want to know.”
So along with pediatrician pal Dr. Jennifer Shu, Jana released Heading Home With Your Newborn in 2004.
But since ideas and regulations about taking care of baby are always changing, the pair released a second edition last month (American Academy of Pediatrics, $16).
The book reads like a veritable baby bible, with stories on feeding, crying, sleeping, car safety and even…well, what you’ll find in your little one’s diaper.

“We try to be non-judgmental, because we know there are many right ways to take care of a baby,” Shu says. “Like, if you want to formula feed, or can’t breastfeed, we don’t want you to feel badly about it.”
Adds Jana, “We don’t tell people what to do without also giving them a sense of how to do it. For instance, it’s best to have your baby sleep on his back, but he won’t, so now what do you do?” Jana and Shu tackle the hot-button issues — think vaccinating — as well as lighter topics, like mommy time.
“People get so focused on baby, they forget they need to take care of themselves,” Jana says. “Fundamentally, the most important factors are caring and nurturing, and that gets lost sometimes. Make it fun. If parents feel comfortable, they’re more likely to enjoy parenting.”
Both moms, Jana and Shu had four kids under the age of 7 when they wrote the book’s first edition. “Both of us are fairly candid. I breastfed all my kids, and one thing people often ask is, ‘How do you know when your milk is in?’ ” Jana reveals. “For me, it was when my husband walked in and said, ‘You did not have those when I married you!’ That’s a good way of describing it — it wasn’t subtle. We share those sorts of things so readers get a sense of reality, and not just clinical writing. We don’t like to bore people.”
They’re also not afraid to dish on doctors. “You’ll notice in both editions, we give parents an inside perspective on what we’d look for in a pediatrician,” Jana says. “It’s a trust, a partnership. You don’t want someone who bows to the latest trends, but instead, gives you relevant information.”
But the biggest piece of wisdom the doctors have? Trust your instincts. “I encourage parents to believe in themselves, and have confidence,” Shu adds. “New parents are constantly asking for validation — which I think is fine — but remember you spend the most time with your baby, and you know your baby best.” Check out some excerpts from Heading Home With Your Newborn on HealthyChildren

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