Description

What to Expect When You're Expecting meets What's Your Poo Telling You? in this informative, entertaining, and practical guide to understanding your baby’s digestion.

Let’s face it: babies don’t do much. So when we want to know how a baby is feeling, we look at how they are eating, sleeping, and pooping. But baby digestion is a complicated landscape, and most parents struggle to interpret everything from burps and grunts to diapers and spit-up. In fact, for parents of newborns, digestive issues are one of the leading causes of pediatrician visits.

Enter Bryan Vartabedian, MD, one of America’s top pediatric gastroenterologists. In Looking Out for Number Two, Dr. Vartabedian draws on more than twenty years of experience as a doctor and father to present an insightful yet irreverent guide to newborn digestive health: what goes in, what comes out, and what it all means.

In this accessible, easy-to-use manual, Dr. Vartabedian tackles everything from standard questions about burping positions and bowel movements to hot button issues like the role of the microbiome in the development of allergies and the debate over breast milk versus formula. Throughout, he soothes parents’ concerns and answers their most urgent question: "Is this normal?"

Complete with illustrations, lively anecdotes, and a healthy dose of humor, Looking Out for Number Two is required reading for every new parent and is sure to become an instant classic.

About the Author

Bryan Vartabedian, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, America’s largest children’s hospital. Beyond examining thousands of dirty diapers, he has made a life shaping practical solutions to the digestive health problems of children. He is the author of Colic Solved, and he lives in The Woodlands, Texas, with his wife, two children, and an Australian labradoodle.

Praise For…

“A must-have parenting manual from a veritable poo-whisperer. Dr. Vartabedian will answer all of your deepest, darkest questions about baby digestion - leaving parents laughing, empowered, and ready to face their next Code Brown.” — Zubin Damania, MD (aka ZDoggMD)

“A hilarious and informative journey through a baby’s gut. From burps to gas, and everything in between, this book empowers families with the knowledge they need about their child’s gut and nutritional concerns.” — Ari Brown, MD, pediatrician and author of the Baby 411 book series

A candidly written, humorous, scientifically-backed poo bible. This is an illuminating look into every parent’s secret obsession—their baby’s poo!—and serves as a perfect baby shower gift for new parents. I am thankful, both as a mom and pediatrician, for Dr. Vartabedian’s sound advice and expertise. — Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, author of Mama Doc Medicine and founder fo Seattle Mama Doc

“Parenthood is unquestionably a busy—and messy—business! While you may not have dedicated much time or thought in your pre-parenting days to the topics covered in this book, the bottom line is that you will now. And as you take advantage of Dr. Vartabedian’s highly informed, practical advice and insights about all things related to ‘number two,’ you’re sure to find yourself thanking Dr. Vartabedian for also looking out for you!” — Laura Jana, MD, pediatrician and author of The Toddler Brain: Nurture the Skills Today That Will Shape Your Child's Tomorrow

“In clear, entertaining language, Dr. Vartebedian takes a bottom-to-top approach not just to poo but to many critical aspects of child care, from childbirth to feeding and even burping. I talk to parents all day long about feeds, burping, spitting, constipation, and diarrhea, and I found myself taking notes to share in my own practice. This book will quickly become a classic for new parents.” — David L. Hill, MD, author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro

“Dr. Vartabedian has a way of taking the most complicated of medical issues and explaining them so that everyone can understand. He does this with such a wonderful sense of humor that this book is a delight to read. Both doctors and parents alike will be helped by this book. I highly recommend Looking Out for Number Two and hope that it is read by everyone. They will not only enjoy it immensely but will be optimally informed.” — William J. Klish, MD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine

“[Looking Out for Number Two] offers a reassuring (and humorous) perspective on the mysterious and sometimes alarming effluvia that infants produce — often from both ends at the same time...Dr. Vartabedian offers fascinating insights…about babies’ digestive health.” — Live Science