7 Secrets of the Newborn: Secrets and (Happy) Surprises of the First Year

Pediatrician Hamilton offers a cheery, exuberant text intended to celebrate babies, convince readers to have babies, and educate parents about how to best negotiate and enjoy the first 12 months of a child’s life. Though his “secrets,” from “you are about to fall desperately in love” to “we all need rest, especially new mothers and fathers,” are not especially revelatory, his mix of common sense, cheerleading, and professional expertise will be reassuring to new parents. He addresses such universal concerns as how to calm a crying baby (he’s developed a unique holding technique), how to get a six-to-seven-month-old baby to sleep through the night (his sleep-training method allows picking the baby up), breast-feeding (encouraged for the first year), and vaccinations (highly advised.) Hamilton cites John Bowlby’s well-known attachment theory to emphasize parents’ crucial role during the first year, and even recommends mothers take the entire first year off work, though he concedes this may not be feasible. While some may find Hamilton’s tone a bit over the top, the author, a father of six and grandfather of seven, is clearly enamored by and knowledgeable about his subject. New or prospective parents may very well find his enthusiasm contagious. (Sept.)