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The Bottom Line for Baby: From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Sucking to Tummy Time--What the Science Says by [Tina Payne Bryson]

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Tina Payne Bryson

The Bottom Line for Baby: From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Sucking to Tummy Time--What the Science Says Kindle Edition

by Tina Payne Bryson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Apply the best science to all your parenting decisions with this essential A–Z guide for your biggest questions and concerns from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline

Every baby- and toddler-care decision sends parents scrambling to do the right thing, and often down into the rabbit hole of conflicting advice. Dr. Tina Payne Bryson has sifted through the reliable research (including about all those old wives’ tales) and will help you make a manageable molehill out of the mountain of information and answer more than sixty common concerns and dilemmas, including

• Breast or bottle? Or breast and bottle? Will that cause nipple confusion?
• What’s the latest recommendation for introducing solids in light of potential allergies?
• Should I sign us up for music and early-language classes?
• What’s the evidence for and against circumcision?
• When is the right time to wean my baby off her pacifier?
• How do I get this child to sleep through the night?!

Dr. Bryson boils things down with authority, demystifying the issues in three distinct sections: an objective summary of the schools of thought on the topic, including commonly held pros and cons; a clear and concise primer on “What the Science Says”; and a Bottom Line conclusion. When the science doesn’t point clearly in one direction, she guides you to assess and apply the information in a way that’s consistent with your family’s principles and meets your child’s unique needs. Full of warmth, expert wisdom, and blessedly bite-sized explanations, The Bottom Line for Baby will help you prioritize what you really need to know and do during the first year of precious life.

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299 pages
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English
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Ballantine Books
Publication date

September 1, 2020
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attachment theory;parenting books;gifts for new parents;baby shower gift;potty training;childcare

Review

“An easy-to-read, deeply practical guide.”—MindBodyGreen

“How can we raise our children to be safe and healthy in a world where there’s a study backing almost every point of view? Only with Tina Payne Bryson leading the way. She combines the brains of a scientist, the communication skills of a storyteller, and the empathy of a fellow parent to ease you through the first year of your baby’s life. Her bottom line is top-notch, indispensable advice.”—Cara Natterson, MD, author of Decoding Boys

“Louis Pasteur once said that ‘chance favors the prepared mind.’ This insightful book ensures you’ll be prepared for parenthood and all the chance happenings that come with it. The bottom line? Tina Payne Bryson’s scientific training, intelligence, compassion, and personal experience make this an essential guide to making all your important parenting decisions.”—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Is it OK to drink alcohol while nursing?

Competing Opinions

Perspective #1: Just as you wouldn’t consume alcohol while pregnant, you don’t want your newborn to ingest it through breast milk.

Perspective #2: Responsible drinking won’t hurt the baby. Life is already restrictive enough for nursing mothers. There’s no good reason to take away something else.

What the Science Says

Since the scientific literature regarding this question is still evolving, it’s difficult to draw a clear line in the sand. If you want to eliminate all risk, the safest approach is not to drink at all when you’re nursing. But there is scant scientific evidence that drinking alcohol poses a risk to a breastfeeding baby. Many health organizations and regulatory authorities still take what one article calls a “better safe than sorry” approach and recommend drinking only in moderation. According to the CDC, moderate alcohol consumption—defined as one standard drink per day—is not known to be harmful to a newborn, especially if the mother waits a couple of hours after drinking it before nursing. The AAP agrees and states that “ingestion of alcoholic beverages should be minimized and limited to an occasional intake,” specifying that it should be no more than “approximately 2 oz liquor, 8 oz wine, or 2 beers.”

Exposure to more than this moderate amount has the potential to negatively affect not only growing babies’ development and growth but also their sleep patterns. And, contrary to certain previous beliefs that alcohol increases milk production, studies show that it can actually limit the let-down reflex (although this is compensated for in the following hours by the baby consuming more). It’s worth noting, too, that expressing milk and then discarding it may not prevent the baby from ingesting any alcohol. The alcohol level in breast milk is based on the amount of alcohol in the mother’s bloodstream. The idea that the baby’s exposure is eliminated if you use the “pump and dump” method is outdated, and that’s no longer considered the safest way to prevent alcohol from being in your breast milk. As long as you have alcohol in your bloodstream, it can also be in your breast milk. So if you drink more than a moderate amount and your blood alcohol content is high (say, at a wedding or other celebration), it’s safest to feed your baby stored milk or formula in the meantime before breastfeeding again hours later.

Finally, and not insignificantly, too much alcohol can obviously impair a mother’s ability to be present to her baby’s needs and make good decisions as she takes care of her infant.

The Bottom Line

It may surprise you, but ultimately there’s no evidence that drinking in moderation is going to harm your breastfed child, especially if you take necessary precautions. According to the AAP and the CDC, you can have a drink, wait a couple of hours, and then nurse. If you follow that recommendation, you don’t have to worry that your baby will ingest the alcohol through your breast milk. If you want to be extra cautious, you can pump milk beforehand and use the stored milk when it’s time to nurse. Some mothers may feel more comfortable not taking any risk and choose to forgo all alcoholic drinks until they stop nursing. Others, though, will want to have a glass of wine on the (rare?) night out, or a beer at the end of a (much less rare) exhausting day.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the most common drugs used for children in Western countries. They offer clear benefits, but science has demonstrated definite downsides as well. Are they safe for babies?

Competing Opinions

Perspective #1: Research has linked antibiotics to all kinds of health problems, and they’re particularly dangerous for kids. Antibiotics kill bacteria but are useless in treating viruses, and it’s often difficult to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in infants, especially those under three months. So doctors will often overprescribe antibiotics “just to be safe,” meaning that babies might be taking a powerful and potentially dangerous medicine for no reason at all.

Perspective #2: Yes, antibiotics come with a certain amount of risk. But without them, infections could potentially get worse and worse. As with any other medicine, parents should be judicious with the use of antibiotics and follow a doctor’s lead when they are prescribed. But they are absolutely necessary in many situations, and the benefits outweigh the dangers.

What the Science Says

Antibiotics are extremely effective at killing bacteria and can effectively treat common childhood bacterial infections such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and recurring or severe ear infections. But like any medication, they can present problems as well. For example, 10 percent of children who take antibiotics will experience side effects including rashes, allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Antibiotics have also been linked to childhood obesity, metabolic and immunological diseases, asthma, and bowel disorders, and they’ve been associated with a long-lasting shift in microbiota composition and metabolism that affects the childhood microbiome and its ability to prevent disease.

These are particularly concerning realities considering how often antibiotics are overprescribed; the CDC estimates that 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions are “inappropriate” and unnecessary. The most common example is when they are used in an attempt to treat not bacteria but a virus, against which they are unlikely to have any effect. Antibiotics wouldn’t alleviate symptoms from a sore throat caused by a common cold virus, for example. So when children are unnecessarily treated with antibiotics, they are at risk of suffering the abovementioned negative outcomes without reason.

In addition, when doctors overprescribe antibiotics, the risk increases that diseases will become resistant to the drugs through repeated exposure. The WHO and others have warned about the development of antibiotic resistance and labeled it a global health concern, noting that it can significantly compromise the ability to treat infections.

The Bottom Line

Antibiotics are a valuable tool that can fight illness and save lives. Some infections, if left untreated, will only get worse and can be dangerous. So be careful about letting the pendulum swing so far that you swear off antibiotics even when they’re actually needed to help your infant get well. But be mindful that these medicines are regularly overprescribed. Overuse of antibiotics can make them less effective, and could potentially even produce harmful, long-lasting changes in your child’s immune system, gut, and metabolism.

Educate yourself about when antibiotics should be given so that you can ask the right questions and have a more productive conversation with your pediatrician when your child is sick. Ask about the specific bacteria being addressed or the overall strategy being employed. It’s great to have a trustworthy doctor whose approach is aligned with yours, and it’s also essential that you two communicate and work together to make informed decisions you’re both comfortable with.

On a Personal Note

When I was a new mother, I did my best to educate myself about the differences between bacterial infections and viruses and to read up on symptoms my kids had. And still, most of the time, I just decided to trust my pediatrician. Not that a baby is a car, but when my mechanic tells me my exhaust manifold gasket (Is that a real thing?) needs to be replaced, there’s not a whole lot I can do to evaluate his advice. Likewise, when my pediatrician says my infant has an infection and needs an antibiotic, I trust her perspective. I ask questions, but at the end of the day, I have to decide whether to go with my trusted physician’s advice or follow my often fear-based, shallow, “I play a doctor on TV” opinion.

When you choose a pediatrician, pick someone you feel good about trusting. There will be times when you’re so tired from caring for a sick infant that you’ll need to rely on your doctor to think clearly and make calls that you can follow.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08271MKWZ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books (September 1, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2127 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 152934641X
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #521,271 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #329 in Children's Health (Kindle Store)
- #477 in Parenting Babies & Toddlers
- #1,736 in Baby & Toddler Parenting

Customer Reviews:
274 ratings

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Tina Payne Bryson

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Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. is the co-author (with Dan Siegel) of two New York Times Best Sellers—THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE—each of which has been translated into dozens of languages, as well as THE YES BRAIN and THE POWER OF SHOWING UP and THE BOTTOM LINE FOR BABY. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world, and she frequently consults with schools, businesses, and other organizations. An LCSW, Tina is a graduate of Baylor University with a Ph.D. from USC. The most important part of her bio, she says, is that she’s a mom to her three boys. You can learn more about Dr. Bryson at TinaBryson.com.

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Katherine Lewis

The only baby parenting book you need

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

The Bottom Line for Baby is THE infant parenting book I wish I had when my baby was born. I read What to Expect When You're Expecting and freaked out about all the terrible things that might happen. Instead of scaring new parents, Tina Payne Bryson lays out all the many decisions we have to make in an easy-to-find, concise way, almost like an encyclopedia. She gives the scientific consensus, the factors to weigh, and then leaves it to us to decide. From breast vs. bottle to cosleeping and schedules, all those stressful early decisions to make. Great book. Easy to pick up to find one answer, since new parents usually don't have time to read it cover to cover!

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

Dont waste time and money

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

I love all books Tina and Dan have done together. I am an infant and early mental health clinician and would never ever give this to a parent. It is very limited and pretty much worthless. Take a look at Janet Lansbury, Mona Delahooke for some good info.

8 people found this helpful

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Ariella H.

Must Have!!!

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

Incredible book! This book covers all the must-read topics for all parents, first time or otherwise! Presented in a clear and concise manner, this book is made for busy parents on the run who want the research to look back on during spare moments but who need the bottom line right away. Wonderful work!!! Must have for anyone that cares for babies.

9 people found this helpful

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Christine T.

The book I wish I had when my kids were babies

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

In many ways, I'm so grateful I have teenagers, as the amount of info available to new parents only seems to exponentially grow with each passing year. That said, when looking for a book to gift to new and about-to-be parents, I was struck by how much I wish I had this book back when. Bryson calmly and empathically describes common issues, like co-sleeping or when to introduce solid foods, then walks through the various findings related to each in a clear and thoughtful (but never overwhelming) way. I love how "the bottom line" time and again for many of the more nuanced issues directs the reader back to really taking the time to know their child and to trust their instincts. Sure, for things like smoking during pregnancy, the science is clear. But for many others, the science is important to consider in the context of values, conversations with your pediatrician, and connection to your child. If this book helps new parents feel more confident about any of these steps, it is sure to become a classic!

5 people found this helpful

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A. DiNoble

Must read for all parents

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

The Bottom Line for Baby is essential for all parents. All the questions and concerns I've had parenting an infant are addressed with scientific evidence-as well as some personal experience, in this book. While this book is rich in science, the author relates the information in very clear, easy to understand language. I'm buying this book for all the new parents in my life.

7 people found this helpful

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Mona Delahooke

Such a Valuable & Time-saving guide for parents!

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020

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I’m so glad to finally have a book that has the research on hot baby topics at my fingertips! This book will be a timesaver & a valuable guide for so many busy parents & grandparents—and early childhood providers.

7 people found this helpful

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DShopper

Parenting Must Have!

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

For years I’ve been wishing there would be one place to reference when trying to find answers to most commonly asked parenting questions. This book is that “place”! It presents research-based facts on the hottest topics in parenting. The author does an amazing job at highlighting two opposing positions (both based on solid research), while sprinkling in some stories from personal life, but never pushes you towards one of the opinions or shames you. The choice is yours, she’s just presenting the facts! It’s amazing! I feel like I have gotten countless hours of late night googling back that I can spend doing something more fulfilling! Buy this book now, you won’t regret it!

4 people found this helpful

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Robyn

Bottom line- Must Have

Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

This exciting new publication is jam packed with so much wisdom, scientific research, insight and empathy. Tina Payne Bryson provides us with a gift of knowledge wrapped in tender loving care and this truly is the gift that keeps on giving to curious caregivers and new or expecting parents. Will be gifting this to all the new parents in my life!

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Gemma Scott

Doesn’t critically look at evidence - very disappointing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

I was really looking forward to this book, but I was disappointed. Not only is the research not cited, the author doesn’t critically engage with it unless the study’s conclusions don’t agree with her own. She makes claims about studies being strong when they have actually been widely, and rightly criticised for having a poor methodology.
I don’t know if the book was written to validate her own parenting beliefs or those of her readers, but it certainly doesn’t stand up to the claim of presenting the evidence.
If you want to make an informed choice about the parent topics in the book, try reading Amy Brown’s informed is best and ho read the research for yourself - this book isn’t going to help you make an informed choice.

2 people found this helpful

William Lee

Good summarised view but very vague

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

Bottom line is follow your baby's pattern and avoid stressing him or her. Would have preferred a bit more tips on how best to implement some recommendations..

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