On our desk: “Eat, Sleep, Poop” by Scott Cohen (book review)

No, Eat, Sleep, Poop is not the sequel of Eat, Pray, Love, and it does not star Julia Roberts. In fact, i doubt the film version of this book will ever be made. Instead, Scott Cohen’s new book is a very readable baby primer for the new dad (or mom). A new dad himself, Cohen does a thorough job of covering many, many questions raised by new parents caring for a small baby. He also injects his own personal experience with his own daughter, Aubrey.

Of particular value are the lists and especially the flow charts in the reference section, and throughout the book that can help parents decide on how to handle common situations and when to call the doctor.

I do disagree with Dr. Cohen’s “sleep training” approach, though I know it is practiced by millions of parents. Dr. Cohen relates how it was difficult for him and his wife to suffer through hearing their daughter cry while they “taught” her to sleep on her own. Each parent has to make that decision on their own though, based on their experience, and to some degree personal needs.

Scott Cohen, M.D., is the cofounder of Beverly Hills Pediatrics and an attending active member of the teaching staff of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was awarded Pediatrician of the Year in 2006, as well as the Physician Recognition Award in Pediatrics in 2005 and 2008.