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The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance (Owner's and Instruction Manual) Paperback – Illustrated, September 10, 2012
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Congratulations—you’ve just acquired one of life’s biggest technological marvels: a newborn baby! New owners have so many questions: How do I handle sleep malfunctions? When should I bring the baby to a doctor for servicing? What transportation accessories do I need?
New users will get plenty of useful advice on:
- PREPARATION AND HOME INSTALLATION: How to store your baby properly
- GENERAL CARE: Effective techniques for handling, holding, and comforting the baby
- FEEDING: An in-depth guide to your baby’s power supply, from breastfeeding to solid food
- PROGRAMMING SLEEP MODE: How to Configure baby’s sleeping area and manage issues such as overstimulation
- GENERAL MAINTENANCE: Keep that new baby smell fresh with tips on sanitation and care, such as diaper installation and cleaning
- GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: Perform user testing on baby’s reflexes, note and track milestones, plus advanced motor and sensory skills
- SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE: Monitor baby’s health, tackle childproofing, learn life-saving procedures, plus get fixes for minor issues such as cradle cap and diaper rash
Whatever your concerns, celebrated pediatrician Dr. Louis Borgenight and his son, Joe Borgenicht, provide plenty of useful advice for anyone who wants to learn the basics of childcare.
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherQuirk Books
- Publication dateSeptember 10, 2012
- Dimensions5 x 0.89 x 7 inches
- ISBN-109781594745973
- ISBN-13978-1594745973
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.Forestry practicesMade with materials from well-managed forests, recycled materials, and/or other controlled wood sources.As certified byThe Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) supports responsible forestry, which is a vital solution to combat climate change. Choosing FSC-certified products – whether furniture, building materials, paper, rubber, or textiles – helps protect forests, wildlife, clean water and supports the Indigenous Peoples, forest workers and communities who depend on them. Choosing FSC-certified products can also help to mitigate climate change by supporting responsible management of the world’s forests. For a better future, choose FSC. - Sustainability features for this product
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This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.Carbon impactCarbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.As certified byClimatePartner certified
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Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.Safer chemicalsMade with chemicals safer for human health and the environment.As certified byOEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
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From the Publisher

Chapter 1: Preparation and Home Installation
Chapter 2: General Care
Chapter 3: Feeding: Understanding the Baby’s Power Supply
Chapter 4: Programming Sleep Mode
Chapter 5: General Maintenance
Chapter 6: Growth and Development
Chapter 7: Safety and Emergency Maintenance
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Joe Borgenicht is a D.A.D. who frequently telephones his father for advice. He is also a writer, entrepreneur, and the co-author of The Action Hero’s Handbook, The Action Heroine’s Handbook, and Undercover Golf. He lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Melanie, and their sons, Jonah and Eli (who still operate at peak efficiency).
Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum are better known as the Philadelphia-based studio Headcase Design, whose work has been featured in many design publications, such as American Illustration, Communication Arts, and Print. When Jude was an infant, his owners would often program him for extended periods of sleep mode. Paul’s owners, on the other hand, tried numerous times to return their model, believing his inability to grow hair was a manufacturer’s defect.
Product details
- ASIN : 1594745978
- Publisher : Quirk Books; Illustrated edition (September 10, 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781594745973
- ISBN-13 : 978-1594745973
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.89 x 7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #12,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #21 in Parenting & Families Humor
- #55 in Baby & Toddler Parenting
- Customer Reviews:
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Fun Approach To Baby Care - Great Gift! Baby Owner's Manual
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Customer Review: Funny but practical!
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About the authors
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Louis Borgenicht, M.D., is a board-certified pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics and has worked for more than 16 years at his private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was named "best pediatrician in Utah" by Ladies' Home Journal in 2001.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and educational, with one noting how it breaks things down clearly. Moreover, they appreciate its humor, particularly how it brings a sense of humor to stressful situations, and its easy-to-follow diagrams. Additionally, the book is well-suited for first-time parents and makes a nice gift for expectant couples, featuring an adorable layout with pictures and descriptions. However, opinions on value for money are mixed, with some finding it worth the price while others say it's not worth it.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book's information quality positive, describing it as useful and educational, with one customer noting how it breaks things down clearly.
"...giggle and although made with humor, this book is well written and very useful." Read more
"...This book was a life saver. I know it saved my life, and it probably saved my daughter's, too." Read more
"...parents or anyone that doesn’t know what to do with a baby, this is actually useful. It reads like an actual instruction manual which is hilarious." Read more
"...Ironically there is so much usefully information in this book it's crazy!!!..." Read more
Customers find the book humorous, with its dry satire bringing a sense of humor to stressful situations and making readers laugh, particularly their husbands.
"Gave this as a baby shower gift and it was a hit! The title made everyone giggle and although made with humor, this book is well written and very..." Read more
"...It reads like an actual instruction manual which is hilarious." Read more
"...super funny and a great gift idea for the gear head dads!" Read more
"This book is so funny. I bought it more for a gag gift. but my husband liked it and surprisingly did learn a few things from it!..." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read, noting that it reads like an instruction manual with diagrams that are very easy to follow, making it a great quick reference guide.
"...made everyone giggle and although made with humor, this book is well written and very useful." Read more
"...This book not only told me the right way, but did so using very detailed diagrams for different scenarios such as - which if the baby is a boy..." Read more
"...It reads like an actual instruction manual which is hilarious." Read more
"...I like how it reads like an instruction manual" Read more
Customers find the book helpful for first-time parents, particularly new fathers, noting that the information is totally true for new parents.
"...away to new fathers since it’s funny but educational and an awesome way to teach dads how to take of a newborn," Read more
"...a lot of it already, and we do anticipate it being a good quick reference for new things that may come up or occur once we get our newborn home...." Read more
"...In the process of a fun format they are learning important skills they will need when the baby arrives." Read more
"Great for new dad-engineer👍😅..." Read more
Customers find the book makes a nice gift for expectant parents, particularly first-time parents, and one customer mentions it's a great addition to a new father's basket of goodies.
"...super funny and a great gift idea for the gear head dads!" Read more
"...] This book made for a great father day to be gift for my husband...." Read more
"...Everyone at our family Christmas celebration thought this was a fantastic gift and wanted a copy for their husband, son, etc.!..." Read more
"...Highly recommend for expecting parents!! This is also a great gift idea." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, noting its adorable layout with pictures and descriptions, good diagrams, and great design. One customer mentions that the graphics make reading more fun.
"...not only told me the right way, but did so using very detailed diagrams for different scenarios such as - which if the baby is a boy instead of a..." Read more
"...The pictures and ease of reading is helpful. However, we found some dated information, and realized this book hasn't been updated since 2012...." Read more
"...But they always use terms that men would understand. The pages are colorful and thick. The cover was nice and sturdy and very colorful...." Read more
"...Overall I though the book was clever and informative and that it made for a good read." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it a great buy and worth the price, while others say it's not worth it.
"...100% worth every penny" Read more
"...Not much re-read value, but does help learning these things a bit more fun. Great gift for clueless caregivers everywhere!" Read more
"...great buy, you wont be disappointed. very fun gift. ---..." Read more
"...It’s a cute book but definitely NOT a quality reference at all." Read more
Reviews with images

A definite buy!!!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024Gave this as a baby shower gift and it was a hit! The title made everyone giggle and although made with humor, this book is well written and very useful.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2022To say I was surprised to find out we were expecting is an understatement. So, of course, I immediately went off the deep end.
In addition to buying the absolute safest car on the road (106 out of 100 points) and spending hours researching for the best and safest stroller and baby-pack that money could buy, I immediately ordered 10 different books and read 100 different websites.
I was not prepared for the sheer amount of contradictory advice that is out there, all from recognized and respected sources. I was absolutely not prepared for the vehemence with which the advice was presented. One source claimed doing "A" was essential for a healthy baby, but another, equally respected source would say "OMG OMG IF YOU DO THAT YOU WILL KILL YOUR BABY!"
This book didn't do any of that. It contained what appeared to be common sense recommendations that were backed up by explanations that actually made sense.
For instance, I can't tell you how many books and web sites told me the WRONG way to clean and change my daughter's dirty diaper. This book not only told me the right way, but did so using very detailed diagrams for different scenarios such as - which if the baby is a boy instead of a girl? What if you are using cloth diapers? What if the baby has just pooped all over everything?
This book was a life saver. I know it saved my life, and it probably saved my daughter's, too.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2024I like that it has actual advice, suggestions and “trouble shooting” tips. For new parents or anyone that doesn’t know what to do with a baby, this is actually useful. It reads like an actual instruction manual which is hilarious.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024When I bought this book it was more of a joke than anything, I didn't think it would help me at all with my first born. Ironically there is so much usefully information in this book it's crazy!!! I'd say my favorite thing about this book is it puts everything you need to know about the baby into a " mechanical " POV. super funny and a great gift idea for the gear head dads!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2024This book is so funny. I bought it more for a gag gift. but my husband liked it and surprisingly did learn a few things from it! I like how it reads like an instruction manual
- Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2017I love this book. This answers essentially all of the questions I had about becoming a father. It addresses things like how to prepare/organize your nursery, how to pick up your baby (with diagrams!), how and when to start feeding your baby. All of these things are probably common sense to people who are already parents, but if you're expecting your first, this will answer questions you may never have thought to ask. What's more, the book is written in a simple, humorous, easy-to-read way that makes its advice clear - it's hard to put down! I chose this book because it was written in part by a pediatrician, which means I feel most of the advice is coming from an evidence-based toolset. My wife is a pediatrician as well, and enjoyed (more importantly, agreed with) most of the book herself. There are a couple mild spots which are no longer up to date with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations (I recommend you peruse their manual as well, though it's much longer and not nearly as fun), as there have been updates in the evidence since this book's last edition, but that shouldn't deter you - this book is all about the basics.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024This book is hilarious but educational. I got one 18 years ago and now I give them away to new fathers since it’s funny but educational and an awesome way to teach dads how to take of a newborn,
- Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018I got this for me and my husband in anticipation of our newborn arrival in about a month. We haven't really gotten any/many "expecting" books (they seem a little cheesy, etc.). But my husband had been asking questions about what to do with a baby, etc. so have been looking for a book that would actually be useful, and this seems to be it. We have flipped through a lot of it already, and we do anticipate it being a good quick reference for new things that may come up or occur once we get our newborn home. It is pretty practical, breaks things down to easy to understand language, with a sense of humor, etc. It covers the gamut of things that could possibly come up that you would have questions about if you are a first time parent. We will be keeping it at arm's length in the nursery for sure. I also like that the tone is current, practical, explanatory, rather than hippy-dippy, spiritual mom-centric. It's just telling it like it is, and a great modern how-to for most things baby. I hope this helps!
Top reviews from other countries
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Tanja WawuschelReviewed in Germany on August 23, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Witziges Geschenk
Wir haben diese "Bedienungsanleitung" schon mehrfach jungen Eltern beziehungsweise schwangeren Eltern geschenkt, jedes Mal waren sie begeistert von der witzigen Herangehensweise, die dennoch die wichtigsten Tipps und Hinweise enthält.
Das aber eben auf andere Art und Weise, durch den Anleitungsstil nämlich sehr ungewöhnlich, witzig.
Das Buch hat auch gute Qualität.
- FAReviewed in the Netherlands on August 26, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Short to the point and a bit funny
The book provides a great overview of need to know info for a newborn. Easy to read and quick to go through. Funny to talk about baby as a model / device.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on January 27, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift book for a new Dad-to-Be and also for the Mom-to-Be.
Love the way it was written. Lots of useful information provided with a good dose of humour. It feels like a users manual - size is such that it could be thrown in your glove compartment - doesn't feel like a regular book. Great gift idea as it feels different, feels fun and user friendly!
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Adriana JaimeReviewed in Mexico on October 9, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Padrisimo!
Me encanto el libro esta súper original y tiene información súper valiosa
- Charlaine ClaassenReviewed in Spain on December 25, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars My husband loves the book!
Written in a very funny way and my husband seems to enjoy reading his book!