This classic guide to child-care and development and a bible for parents is now updated. Written from the baby and child's perspective, information is organized in easy-to-follow age bands. At each stage there is illuminating advice on every problematic or exciting aspect of child-care, from feeding and sleeping to thinking and talking.

Table of Contents

The newborn: getting together; the first days of life; newborn characteristics; feeding and growing; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; learning from each other; heavy heads and reflexes; senses and sensations. The settled baby: the first six months; feeding and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; muscle power; seeing and understanding; hearing and making sounds; playing and learning; loving and spoiling. The older baby: from six months to one year; feeding and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; more muscle power; seeing and doing; listening and talking; playing and learning; enjoying the bridge from baby to toddler. The toddler: from one year to two-and-a-half; eating and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; toilet mastery; sleeping; crying and comforting; even more muscle power; learning speech; playing and thinking; moving into early childhood. The young child: from two-and-a-half to five years; eating and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; toilet mastery and after; sleeping; crying and coping; bodies, minds and feelings; talking; playing and thinking; learning how to behave; early years education.

Author Biography

Penelope Leach is a research psychologist specialising in child development. Her many achievements include; president of the National Childminding Association; former trustee and current research adviser to the NSPCC; fellow of the British Psychological Society; and founding committee member of the UK branch of the World Association for Infant Mental Health. Her books include Babyhood: infant development from birth to two years and The Parents' A-Z. She resides in London.