This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network. All opinions are 100% my own. There is an affiliate link in this post. 

I come from a large family and grew up with a pretty steady flow of babies around me as a result. I knew how to mix formula and change diapers by the time I was 10 years old or so. My baby sister was born when I was 12, and I was eager to help care for her regularly. It wasn’t until I was an adult that it really hit me how not everyone gets the same experience. Ryan’s family is much smaller and his extended family was not as close. He didn’t hold a baby until his first niece was born when he was 20! Even in middle school I could look at a baby I had never met before, but make a pretty good guess whether she was old enough to sit up, crawl or walk just based on appearance. For him, it wasn’t obvious because he hadn’t been around babies at each stage before.

My niece Carley was born when I was 9. I’m guessing she was about 1.5 here, so I would have been 10. 

I’ve always been thankful for my childhood experiences with babies that clued me into at least all the very basics of how to care for little ones from a very early age. It’s nice to feel comfortable holding, feeding and babysitting the little ones that continue to join our family. However, no amount of babysitting can compare to becoming a parent. All new parents find themselves with a lot of questions. It can be uncomfortable to ask opinions of family or friends because they may have very different views than you, or maybe they’ve heard inaccurate advice from others. Internet searches often result in message boards of non-experts sharing their opinions, too. It can be hard to determine which advice to listen to!

Baby And Toddler Basics: Expert Answers To Parents’ Top 150 Questions is a wonderful resource for parents of babies or toddlers. Just like the title suggests, it answers the 150 most commonly asked questions that are asked by parents of babies and toddlers. Some of the questions include:

• How do I know if my baby is allergic to a particular food?
• How often do I need to take my child’s temperature and what is the best way?
• How do I know if my infant is eating enough?
• Why does my baby have their days and nights mixed up?

It can be tricky to determine which parenting books to trust or support. I think many parents will really embrace the belief system of this particular book because it’s written by Tanya Altmann. Tanya is the spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics in addition to being a practicing pediatrician and top-selling author! She’s also a mother of 3 so she has that personal, real-world experience as well. The book is in a Q and A format which will make it a great book for parents to repeatedly reference as they navigate the first couple years of their children’s lives!

Emily

Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.

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