Retro Baby: How to Cut Back on Infant Gear, Media, And Smart Toys and Boost Your Baby's Development with Time-tested Activities

Cut Back on All the Gear and Boost Your Baby's Development With More Than 100 Time-Tested Activities

Anne Zachry, PhD,OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Child Development Specialist

New isn’t always better, especially when it comes to the health and well-being of our children. Over the past several decades, tremendous advances have been made in the development of baby products and technology for infants and toddlers.These innovations, such as bouncer seats, carriers, and baby "educational" videos are intended to make our daily lives easier and more efficient, but at what cost? 

As a mother, an occupational therapist, and child development expert with more than 20 years in the field of pediatrics, Dr. Zachry has seen firsthand how the overuse of these “advances” can impact the development of children. That's why she wrote Retro Baby: Cut Back on All the Gear and Boost Your Baby's Development With More Than 100 Time-Tested Activities. 

Parents want to give their children the best possible start in life. They hope to ensure their baby stays on track and meets those important developmental milestones. Yet there is so much to learn, and it can be overwhelming with so many decisions to make. For example, which car seat is safest? Do you need a changing table? How does one choose the best stroller, swing, exersaucer, bouncer seat, and pack-n-play? And are all of these items even necessary? Find answers to these questions and more in Retro Baby. 

In this eye-opening resource, Dr. Zachry 

• Explains how crucial connections are formed between a child’s brain and muscles during the first year of life
• Describes how the overuse of certain baby equipment can hinder infant development
• Offers suggestions for daily time limits on particular pieces of baby equipment
• Explains how positioning techniques and good old-fashioned play affect a baby’s growth and development in a positive way
• Includes a variety of fun, entertaining activities that enhance an infant’s ability to learn
• Describes how to make traditional, handmade toys to replace the budget-busting clutter on the market today 

All this information helps parents play a role in building a solid foundation for their child’s future skills in school and in life. When parents' use this authoritative, up-to-date source, they’ll be faithfully supporting—but not rushing—their baby’s mastery of developmental milestones. 

And what’s the absolute best reason to carry out the developmental activities in Retro Baby?They’ll give parents' lots of opportunities to spend one-on-one time with baby, creating a special bond that will last a lifetime.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 978-1-58110-811-8
• Product Code: CB0074
• Publication Date: August 1, 2013
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 190
• Trim Size: 9 inches x 6 inches
• Illustrations: 37 black & white photos
• Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics

To view inside of the book visit: www.shop.aap.org

About the Author

Author: Anne Zachry, PHD, OTR/L Ocupational Therapis and Child Development Specialist 

Anne H. Zachry, PhD, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist, child development specialist, and assistant professor of occupational therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.