Professor Kim Oates, MD, MHP, FRACP
Chief Executive
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

“It is with pleasure that I write to inform you that, the national executive of the Australian College of Midwives unanimously agreed to endorse your book, No ‘One Right Way”.

Among the comments made by reviewers were the following:

“This book will be of enormous benefit to parents preparing for the birth of their baby and during the first few months of baby’s life. I think it will empower parents and assist them to make good decisions for the baby.”

“This book is invaluable to women in the childbearing year! It is a Bible for the first 3 months and covers all the “need to know” information which a new mother (and baby) needs”

“The content is good, sensible, old-fashioned advice, mixed with current, excellent information…It is easy to read and the author’s knowledge and obviously caring nature shines through the reader. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book.”

You are welcome to include the words “Endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives Inc” in the book. Best wishes with the publication.

Professor Barbara Vernon
Executive Officer
Australian College of Midwives Incorporated

“It is a very comprehensive book which is very easy and enjoyable to read. It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the Royal Women’s Hospital is pleased to endorse your book. New parents will gain much reassurance and support from your book.

The book contains very practical support and up to date advice and strategies, which is not often or easily found in other parenting books. It will be a fabulous resource for new parents. You offer practical suggestions and various options for caring for a young baby without the information being prescriptive. You make it very clear that when parents are caring for their baby they should do what works for them.

You are welcome to use the words “Endorsed by the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia” in the book.

Dale Fisher
Executive Director
The Royal Women’s Hospital

“This is a very comprehensive book and will be of great value to naïve parents in preparing for the birth of their baby. It should also provide a useful reference to experienced parents on specific issues, which they may not have encountered with their first child. It is a pleasure to review a book that is for Australians and set in an Australian setting rather than reflecting overseas values and patterns of behaviour. This makes it particularly valuable in the Australian context.

You are welcome to say that this book is endorsed by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Adelaide.

Dr. Rima Staugas
A/Chief Executive Officer
Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide

Initially, I thought the book would be a wonderful resource for new parents and their families, as I read I realised the depth of knowledge contained in your ideas, and the simplicity in which you have presented it makes it ideal, for not just parents, but for students of midwifery and nursing (and indeed those who have already graduated in their profession) – many of whom are not parents, and yet are called upon for advice.

The book is comprehensive and honest giving every side of the die, empowering new parents to watch, and grow with their baby. Your words reinforce their innate skills to parent – to trust their instincts.

Your book not only nurtures the new baby, but also swaddles the new parents – congratulations. I will have a copy in my library and recommend it to new mothers and new midwives alike.

Shannon Morris
Independent Midwife
Antenatal Education Co-ordinator
Birth and Parenting Classes
Queanbeyan District Hospital, NSW

“This comprehensive resource, based upon years of hands on experience and current evidence, guides parents in developing critical parenting skills which will serve them and their children for a lifetime. The joy of this book is that is supports parents to find a way of knowing and doing that suits them and their babies best thereby building capacity and promoting resilience.

Parents, grandparents, midwives, maternal and child health nurses and other health professionals will all find this book an invaluable resource. The Canberra Mothercraft Society would be honoured if you were to include “Endorsed by the Canberra Mothercraft Society Inc.” in the book.

Lynne Johnson , President
Mary Kirk, Director of Nursing/Executive Officer
Canberra Mothercraft Society Inc

“It is with great pleasure and privilege that I have read your manuscript. I believe that this book No One Right Way – will fill a need for common sense and practicality to prevail in women’s lives. When there is so much information around that is based on old wives tales, culture, evidence and women’s stories it is nice to have all this information in one place. As you quite clearly state there is no one right way and women need to be convinced of this. Reading your book will help them.

Further, as a midwifery lecturer I believe that this book will be an invaluable resource for midwifery students as they learn about parenting. The content of the book that you have penned from your years of experience comes to all mothers (and fathers) and midwives alike with your love and care. Your passion for your profession is alive and I would have no hesitation recommending this as a text for midwifery students.

Dr. Pauline Glover RM FACM
Course Coordinator: Midwifery Programs
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

“I found it enormously comprehensive and thoughtful. I showed it to a friend who said – thank god – everyone tells you about how to get through the birth, but nobody tells you what happens next, and you are let with this tiny baby you need to care for, but don’t know where to start. So I can see that it will be of great use to many people.

I really liked the practical chapter on first aid, and found the detailed advice in many of the areas very straightforward and easy to understand. So many thanks for sharing it with me.”

Laurann Yen
General Manager
Community Health

“This is a delightfully practical and supportive book for new parents, new midwives and new doctors – in fact for anyone with an interest in parenting.

Often parenting books do not transfer easily to another culture but Rhodanthe Lipsett has a way of explaining and informing that would translate well for the New Zealand audience. Rhodanthe’s years of experience and her wide knowledge base are obvious to any reader looking for assistance or wanting to learn. I am confident this book will have a wide audience in New Zealand. The use of advice and women’s stories are a very attractive format for the women who are used to the partnership odel way of working.”

Karen Guilliland
Reg Midwife, Reg Nurse and Obstetric Nurse
MA: MNZM
New Zealand College of Midwives (Inc.)

“I was especially heartened to recognise the value you placed on the intuition of both Mother’s and Midwives as I believe the “art” of midwifery is being lost amid medical procedures and machines that go ping! Sensible reassurance, acknowledgement of difference and real stories from real people, all knitted together with your amazing experience and love of what you did makes your book truly inspirational and precious.”

Tory Howell
Student Midwife
Bachelor Midwifery
Flinders University SA

“This book addresses in both depth and breadth essential knowledge for parents of new babies and parents whose second or subsequent babies present concerns not previously encountered. The weeks following the birth of an infant herald significant changes and challenges, many of which can leave parents overwhelmed and lacking confidence. This is often due to a lack of detailed knowledge, the sort that can only be given by those who have acquired it from years of passionate, caring and professional practice within the field of infant welfare. Rhodanthe Lipsett has, in a methodical, clear and empathic manner, done just that. The book covers in detail, and in very precise and clear language, the vast array of issue that can arise prior to and in the weeks following the birth of a baby.

The difference in this book compared to the array of baby books on the shelves today is the detailed instructions as to how to approach what a mother sees as a problem, not just the common suggestion but a how-to approach with all aspects of daily care, feeding, settling and common ailments.

I believe this book would be of great value as a “Recommended Reading” text for students in any area dealing with the care of babies and mothers or parents in general. It contains detailed information and various options that can be offered to mothers with apparently the same problem but needing different options and/or solutions.

It is my hope that the countless numbers of parents who need this help will be fortunate enough to happen upon this excellent book.

Janine Claxton
Clinical Psychologist
B.A.(Hons),Dip.Ed, M.Psych(Clin).

“I believe Rhodanthe’s manuscript makes an important and comprehensive contribution to newborn care – an area that needs but has not received systemic attention to this date. I think that she brings a fresh perspective to the topic.

Danielle Cronin
Health Reporter
The Canberra Times

“This book to me must be founded on a life-long experience of a person who must have been a very effective health care professional and a mother herself, in addition to being someone who not only listens to people but also hears what they say. It is written with degrees of comparison, insight, knowledge and understanding that only rarely find themselves together within the same book cover. It is a type of “do it yourself” kind of book, but one of a different vintage. It does not tell you that you actually can do it all yourself. On the contrary, it clearly states when professional advice or help may be needed and where to get it. With equal vigour it defends the idea that humans, whether they be mothers or babies, may all belong to the same species, but they also remain individuals with their own needs and aspirations. Just listening, loving and observing goes a long way and this may well be what “nurturing a new baby” is all about.

I wish this book had been around when I was a medical student and on my arduous way to become an obstetrician. This seems to answer my original question of “who needs yet another book on having a baby?” The answer is obvious. We all need this one irrespective of whether we are having a baby or are only caring for people who are having a baby. As the title of the book suggests, there is “no one right way”. There certainly is a wrong way, though, and that is to ignore the important messages that are contained in this book. It is not only a gem, it is also a must!”

Marc Keirse, MD, Dphil, DPH, FRANZCOG, FRCOG
Professor and Head of Department
Flinders University
Dept of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine
Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide