You Simply Can't Spoil A Newborn by Dorothy Waide

The Essential Kiwi Guide to Nurturing Your Baby in the First Three Months

The first few months with a newborn can feel like both the most precious and the most overwhelming time. Between sleepless nights, endless feeding, and the constant guessing game of “what does my baby need right now?” it’s easy for parents to feel stretched thin.

This book is a gentle companion for those early weeks. Dorothy Waide shares her calm, nurturing approach to caring for pēpi, offering practical guidance that helps parents feel more confident and supported. From soothing unsettled babies to encouraging self-settling, navigating feeding challenges, and making space for your own wellbeing, her advice is clear, reassuring, and refreshingly non-judgemental.

Designed with tired parents in mind, the book uses bullet points, photos, and illustrations for quick reference - because nobody has time to wade through long chapters when our days are already full and we're getting up every few hours to feed our new pēpi. It’s organised by topic rather than strict developmental stages, recognising that every baby grows differently, and every whānau will find their own rhythm in their own time.

This is not about rigid rules or “perfect” parenting - it’s about reminding new parents that love, presence, and connection are what matter most.

How you might use this book:

• Keep it on the bedside table for quick reference during those long nights.
• Use it as a gentle reminder that caring for yourself is part of caring for your baby.
• Dip into the sections you need most - whether it’s calming strategies, feeding tips, or reassurance that your baby is okay.
  

About the author:

Dorothy Waide is New Zealand’s most experienced baby sleep consultant, with over 45 years of supporting parents and babies. A qualified Karitane Mothercraft Nurse since 1973, Dorothy has worked worldwide for more than two decades as a postpartum care provider, offering in-home, 24/7 support to families. Her work is grounded in a holistic, gentle approach that blends traditional wisdom with the latest research, always tailored to each family’s unique needs, lifestyle, and environment.

Dorothy specialises in helping babies develop healthy sleep habits with minimal crying, while also guiding parents through feeding, routines, and the emotional journey of early parenthood. She is the author of You Simply Can’t Spoil a Newborn and Simply Parenting: 12 Weeks to 12 Months, with her third book, Simply Parenting Over 12 Months, currently in development. In addition to working with families, Dorothy provides professional training and speaks regularly on parenting, sleep, and infant wellbeing.