The Social Baby – Lynne Murray & Liz Andrews
Reviewed by Regine Sayegh
Long before their first words, babies talk to us and communicate; this is what “The Social Baby” will demonstrate in its pages.
This book is really different in its content to the majority of books available on babies. “The Social Baby” by Lynne Murray and Liz Andrews is the fruit of the collaboration of a team of parents and professionals which enables important information to be accessible to all.
The book has a large number of pictures taken during the first month of the relationship between babies and their families. The pictures and comments describe how from a very young age babies can express themselves and communicate with people, and furthermore how infants deal with different kinds of stimulation they receive from the environment.
The book is divided into different parts, each of which introduces a new aspect of a baby’s life. Describing bath or sleeping time, it shows how carers and parents may use the cues given by babies. It also gives some handy tips for how to improve baby’s wellbeing and help to manage difficult situations. It underlines that a deeper understanding of the baby’s experience will increase the enjoyment of parenthood and childbirth.
I like the book as it reminds how observation and time are essential to have a better understanding of your baby. It encourages parents to look after themselves and be aware that they may need support which is absolutely normal. Overall, it gives information and facts letting parents and carers make their own approaches from their experience. In addition it shows that actions which are often innate take a new sense and might be empowered by the explanations given in the book.
This book is targeted to first parents as well as any parents to be. It demonstrates that interaction starts as soon as a few minutes after birth.
As it concentrates on the very early weeks I will definitely recommend to read it as soon as possible before or just around the birth.