THE PREMATURE BABY BOOK: A Parents' Guide to Coping and Caring in the First Years

Another comprehensive, comforting sourcebook for parents of babies born early--on a par with Henig and Fletcher's Your Premature Baby (p. 285). Harrison is the mother of an 11-weeks premature son, Kositsky is a neonatal intensive care nurse, so between them they're familiar with all aspects of the ordeal and qualified to cover all possible contingencies. They also provide long illustrative stories to make the information clear and keep it human. First comes help in coping with the immediate--usually overwhelming--reaction to having a baby up to 3(apple) months early; next, a look at possible causes (in about half the cases, no cause can be found--but in all cases guilt is common); then, an account of the long haul to discharge home (including potential complications). The common concerns--nursery parenting, breastfeeding--receive due attention throughout, Of special note, however, is the chapter on ""The Death of a Baby."" Along with suggestions for making practical decisions (on autopsy and burial), parents will find relief in the authors' recognition of the ""special grief"" involved in the loss of a newborn. Here, again, individual cases and photos are a comfort. Looking ahead, the authors discuss the first year home (nerve-wracking for even the most collected parents), and long-term prospects: though little concrete is known about how today's surviving, very premature babies will do, the overall feeling is strongly optimistic. Sensitive and thorough--perhaps even extra-reassuring along with Henig and Fletcher.