Anita Diamant is a writer that besides novels, also wrote useful guides for the modern Jewish families, like for example the practicalities of the Jewish wedding. She uses the traditional basis, but in a very open way, incorporating the reform and liberal customs and addressing interfaith families too - that we like it or not, do exist.
The New Jewish Baby Book - the second edition - covers the details of the first days of the baby until the very first year, by covering the diversity of the Jewish families nowadays. It uses halachic arguments, but it is not following the strict view and most probably if you are on the very strict side of the observance, you may not appreciate some of the opinions expressed.
The book is so systematically organised and rich and information that even you consider youself a literate in all things religion and tradition, there is still something to learn. The novelty for me was the reform/conservative/liberal literary tradition that I am completey unaware of, dedicated to different occasions like brit milah/brit bat etc.
The book covers a variety of topics, in the smallest details, including how - and when, preferably on Rosh Chodesh - to organise a baby shower, the choice of a name - with a long list of names for both boys and girls and their meaning, what question to address a mohel, how to make announcement and write invitations for brit milah etc.
Although not extremely comprehensive, the book has also a final section dedicated on adoption, an issue that is still lacking a systematic guidance for Jewish families.
Overall it is an useful read for the new parents trying to juggle with the obligations of taking care of a new life while keeping a certain degree of religious observance.
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