For Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP) volunteers, this reference guide provides background information about the common concerns of parents. Extensively reviewed for accuracy and content by pediatricians, psychologists, obstetricians, nurses, and childbirth educators, the guide contains a summary discussion of the postpartum infant and family. The guide is organized in a developmental format because the needs of parents and children vary greatly depending on the age of the child. In Section I, four chapters focus on physiological changes during the postpartum period, other changes during postpartum, the newborn, and special circumstances (such as adoptive parents, caesarean section, premature birth, multiple births, parents of handicapped children, parent-child separation, belated parenthood, and the single female parent). Topics discussed in the two chapters of Section II concern the emotional adjustments of parents and dimensions of children's development during the first year of life. The discussion of emotional adjustments describes parent's reactions, positive and negative aspects, and ways of dealing with pride, love, being needed, frustration, worry, jealousy, inadequacy, and resentment. The guide also contains a section on leadership and communication techniques and includes information on distinguishing between medical and non-medical issues. (RH)