By Katherine Graham
Book review:
Perfect Steps by Lyn Wade
If you're about to have a baby, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Should you be an alpha or a beta mommy? Should you feed on demand or should you work out a strict routine? Irish author Claire Allan thinks the best thing you can do is throw out the baby expert books and rather get to know your child. I would agree, but some guidance is necessary. Why else do most women want their mom by their side after they've given birth?
That's why Perfect Steps is a welcome addition to baby literature. It's packed with practical wisdom: what milestones to expect at different periods of your baby's development, what foods to avoid if your baby suffers from colic and how to relieve sore breasts. It's also written in a South African context, which means you won't struggle to find some of the recommended products.
The book is clearly the work of a caring mother. Author Lyn Wade, who has two teenage children, is also a qualified nurse: she runs her own peri-natal clinic in Pietermaritzburg. That's why you'll find useful medical information in the book, such as what immunisations are due depending on your child's age and what adverse side-effects they may cause.
I really liked the accessibility of the book. There is space to jot down your child's first words, questions you might want to ask your GP on check-up visits and recipes for babies being introduced to solids. It's thin enough not to be daunting, yet is substantial enough to use as a quick reference guide.
I ask Lyn what inspired her to write Perfect Steps. "Having worked for many years at clinics," she says, "I felt that there wasn't another book like it on the market. It's not long-winded but contains practical advice for mothers. You can also use the book as a keepsake."
She says feedback on the book has been positive. Perfect Steps was launched in May and will soon be available in private clinics and bookstores around the country. Copies can also be ordered on the Internet.
What advice would Lyn give new mothers, I ask.
"Love your children and cherish them," she says unreservedly. "They grow up so quickly. And relax more. Parenting is not as complicated as other moms make it out to be."
If you're caught in a wave of baby showers and are at a loss as to what to get the glowing mom-to-be, this book is sure to make a great gift.