Potty Training Your B

This encyclopedic book on infant care will inform and comfort harried, anxious new or expectant parents. The authors, both mothers and nurses, cover myriad details in explaining the ways of the neonate. Their emphasis may puzzle some. For instance, when they describe how to wash a newborn's almost nonexistent neck, they point out that this spot is likely to collect lint and bacteria and they want to spare the new parent any embarrassing discoveries by a pediatrician or nurse during the first well-baby checkup. At times the authors patronize and impart astonishingly obvious information (``All boys are born uncircumcised''). Still, the volume abounds with important tips on such matters as safe crib criteria and taking a baby's temperature. Helpful sections on postpartum emotional adjustments address the needs of fathers as well as mothers. Illustrated. (Aug.)