The Mommy Guide

Drawing on the real-life expertise of mothers across the country, this indispensable book offers new moms tried-and-true solutions to everyday problems, up-to-date information on bringing up baby, and practical advice that works. With topics ranging from bedtime, birth, and child care to everyday matters such as bathing, diapers, grocery shopping, and traveling, The Mommy Guide is an invaluable resource, giving thousands of helpful tips in fifty-two categories. There's information on the best catalogs to subscribe to, familyoriented vacations, picking a preschool, choosing child care, laundry tips, selecting a pediatrician, coping with sibling rivalry, the best books for your child, how to read to your child, handling a picky eater, a baby-sitter's checklist, what to do when your child won't sleep, birthday party tips for children ages one to three, safety-minded decorating, and the best films and videos to rent. Where professional expertise is required on a topic, Susan Bernard has turned to experts in each field for additional information. You'll find their valuable advice especially reassuring. Experts include:

• Dr. T. Berry Brazelton on advice for parents
• Jim Trelease on reading aloud
• Dr. Marianne Egeland Neifert ("Dr. Mom") on the challenges of parenting
• Adele Faber on sibling rivalry
• Meredith Brokaw's birthday-party-planning tips
• Dr. James W. Varni on the "Time-Out" method of discipline
• Louise Bates Ames, PhD, on toilet training
• Dr. Richard Ferber on getting your children to sleep
• Amy Dacyczyn (founder of The Tightwad Gazette) on saving money
  Susan Bernard is a writer who specializes in communications and education and is a former magazine editor. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Bernie and son, Alexander.