The First Two Years

Contents

1. Part I Foundations p. 6

   1. 1 A Trust and a Fresh Start: Your Child in Islam and Science 7
   2. 2 The Rights of Your Child 11
   3. 3 The Parents: Mother's Recovery, Father's Role and a Peaceful Home 14

2. Part II Birth and the First Days p. 18

   1. 4 The First Hour and the First Day 19
   2. 5 The Seventh Day: Name, Aqiqah, Shaving and Circumcision 23
   3. 6 Caring for Your Newborn: The First Four Weeks 28

3. Part III Feeding p. 32

   1. 7 Breastfeeding: The Two-Year Gift 33
   2. 8 Starting Solid Foods: 6 to 24 Months 39

4. Part IV Growing Month by Month p. 44

   1. 9 How a Baby's Brain Is Built 45
   2. 10 The Month-by-Month Guide 48

5. Part V Tarbiyah: Love, Environment and Character p. 66

   1. 11 Mercy and Attachment: Holding, Kissing and Responding 67
   2. 12 The Home Environment: Words, Screens, Conflict and Faith 70
   3. 13 Gentle Guidance: Discipline Without Harm, 0–2 Years 73
   4. 14 First Seeds of Faith 77

6. Part VI Health and Safety p. 80

   1. 15 Sleep 81
   2. 16 Cleanliness, Teeth and Toilet 84
   3. 17 Vaccines, Illness, Medicine and Ruqyah 87
   4. 18 Keeping Your Child Safe 92
   5. 19 Harmful Customs and Common Myths 95

7. Part VII When Things Are Hard p. 98

   1. 20 Delay, Disability, Illness and Loss 99

Plus: duas and adhkar, checklists, emergency signs, glossary and 82 references.