There is a new annual magazine now available titled BabyBook. It is currently free for pregnant mothers who register with private hospitals and clinics for women in the Klang Valley.

It can also be bought from major bookstores at the price of RM18.

What's in it and why should you get it?

Firstly, it has four sections – Getting Pregnant, Pregnancy, Post Natal and Baby. Each section comes with a bunch of informative and educational articles.

The Getting Pregnant section has information on diet, immunisation and pregnancy symptoms.

The Pregnancy section has information on what to expect week to week, antenatal classes, fitting a maternity bra, nutrition, yoga and even hypnobirthing.

I liked the handy “Things to pack” for the hospital stay.

Under Post Natal, you will find articles on confinement practices, breastfeeding, and expressing and storing breast milk.

Under Baby, there are articles on baby's development stage by stage, skincare, cloth diapers, vaccinations and emergency first aid skills.

For me, the best thing about this magazine or book is the directory listing where you can instantly find where to go for antenatal classes, first aid, fertility, hypnobirthing, full moon packages. Some of the shops even offer discount vouchers – right at the back of the BabyBook.

The information provided here can be found on the Internet and in most baby books. In fact, there is no way an article can cover all the information you will need on any particular subject. Books upon books have been written on the subject of breastfeeding alone. So, if you want indepth information, BabyBook might not be the option for you.

However, if you want just a bit of information on everything to do with pregnancy and babies, then this is the magazine for you.

The directory listing and vouchers are a nice touch. Do take note though that the directory listing is not comprehensive of all the companies, shops and services available in the country.

Check it out before buying.

Definitely, BabyBook 2010 is a good start and a welcome addition to our shelves. - BRIGITTE ROZARIO