Baby manual aimed at ‘macho dads’

WHAT do you do if your newborn baby is crying instead of purring like an engine?

A manual that explains the workings of a baby in a way that can be understood by mechanically-minded “macho” dads is being published today.

The book, titled Baby, is being produced by famed car manual publishers Haynes.

Written by Dr Ian Banks, it has a fault-finding chart for problems ranging from fever to rashes.

The book also tells dads how to “maintain baby’s bodywork in optimum condition, prevent corrosion of vital parts, and decide when to call in professional assistance”.

There is advice on what performance to expect from birth up to the age of two, what to do in emergencies, and how to cope with teething, crying and bath-time.

But father-of-four Dr Banks, president of the Men’s Health Forum, said his book stood out from all other baby manuals because it was willing to tell men about the workings of babies rather than telling men how to be fathers.

“I’m not into this new-age modern man stuff,” he said.

“I don’t want to make dads experts in baby talk or the various cures for nappy rash.

“I want to give them handy tips that will help them cope, not turn them into virtual mothers.

“The car approach is a bit of fun, but I want men to see beyond the joke.

“The message is they can play a fuller part in caring for baby without having to hang their masculinity on a hook.”

Dr Banks’s previous Haynes handbook, Man, became a best-seller last year.

For every copy of the baby manual sold, Haynes said 50p would be given to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.