Coolest Baby Book. Ever.

The Baby Owner's Manual
Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, And Advice On First-Year Maintenance

This book has got to be the coolest baby book I've ever encounter. For only RM8.00, my mother-in-law got this at the book fair at Amcorp Mall a few weeks back. What a steal!

I love the clever technical concept (how the author refer infants as models, parents as users and paediatricians as service provider), the look and feel (using only blue, orange and brown) and the design (illustrations and typography). The content is easy to read, straight to the point, humorous and definitely entertaining. Everything about this book gets two thumbs up from me.

I've not finished reading it yet, but I've found some tips under the Medical Maintenance section that I'd like to share:

1. Congestion
If your baby's nasal passages are impeded by mucus, you can bring the baby's car seat inside and strap her into it at bedtime. Sleeping propped up will help her drain the congestion.

2. Hiccups
Blow on the baby's face. This might cause him to inhale quickly and change the movement of his diaphragm.

3. Diarrhea
Add a dash of yogurt to the baby's meal. The active cultures found in yogurt can help to restore her regular stool.

4. Fever
If the baby's temperature is at or above 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the baby has a high fever and the baby's service provider should be contacted immediately. Sponge her with warm water, which evaporates quickly and cools the baby faster than cold water, and give her small doses of ibuprofen every four hours. If the baby's fever remains at this level, there is good reason to suspect a secondary infection.