Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Sound, Gentle Guidance for the first five years
This comprehensive guide is a parent-friendly reference book that I highly recommend to new moms and dads. Anxious parents welcome kind support and easy to understand facts so that they can become more confident in making the many necessary decisions regarding their children. "Caring For Your Baby and Young Child; Birth to Age Five" is conveniently formatted and offers an abundance of helpful, sound information addressing the many questions and concerns that arise during the early years. It is especially helpful in explaining common health issues thereby often relieving a worried parent on the spot about those many wonders and fears that occasionally come to mind. Although this book covers a wide spectrum of information, I noticed that the advice relating to discipline strategies and child development insights for the 2-to-5-year-old isn't as extensive as the medical information or the specific infant behavior suggestions. I would like to also recommend another helpful reference book to fill that need. "The Pocket Parent" is a troubleshooting A-Z guide focusing on challenging preschool behavior and is written in the same friendly, non-judgmental style as "Caring For Your Baby..." Parenting, especially in the early years can feel scary, lonely, and quite frustrating. These two books are very compatible, having the same underlying positive perspective and philosophy for raising healthy, happy children. Keep them handy whenever you need some fast answers, strategies, or just a little 'verbal hug' to reassure you that you are not losing your mind and that everything is going to be OK.
Rating: - An Informative and Trustworthy Source for Parents
Just before becoming new parents, my wife and I decided to "read up" on child care and development, and searched for the texts that would have all the answers. Two-and-a-half years into parenting, I think I can report that no such treatise exists. Nonetheless, this book is the best I've seen. The book is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and to me, this makes it a mandatory item in the library of new parents. So many books in this topic are written by individuals whose qualifications are a bit "shakey", but as an attorney I know that such is the by product of the First Amendment and "freedom of the press". I've found the information contained in this book to be informative, helpful, and easy to understand. The introductory chapters deal with birth and preparation for the arrival of a new baby, and so it would be appropriate to purchase or receive before the child actually "gets here". Other reviewers have indicated that they have given the book as a gift at showers, and we have since adopted this practice. The content follows development (i.e., first months, later years, etc.) and tells you what to look for in each stage, whether emotionally, psychologically, or physically, and notes various milestones. Tips and advice are also included, such as recommendations about strollers, beds, age-apropriate toys, baby's interaction with other children, car seats, treatment of illness, when to contact physician, sleeping and feeding tips, etc. There is also an appendix of illness and conditions, which is very usefull. This is usually the first place we look when needing an answer or when a problem arises. This is a handy reference, and I strongly recommend for at least first-time parents.
Rating: - A reassuring, well-written book for all parents
During the months that my wife and I were eagerly anticipating our first child, I set out to find a few informative books to educate and prepare myself for fatherhood. Although the task was daunting given the huge variety of available titles, I was finally able to narrow it down to three books, including "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5."From the start, this reassuring, warmly-written book proved an excellent choice. The tone is conversational but intelligent, and the book informs without being pushy, patronizing or condescending. The information contained is up-to-date and presented neutrally. Also contained are supplementary "Where We Stand" sections, which outline the opinions of the American Academy of Pediatrics (the organization that compiled the book) for further reader consideration. In addition, a helpful 225-page section at the back of the book deals with a variety of important topics including emergencies, behaviour, family issues, immunizations, and assorted developmental concerns. As a new parent with endless questions and apprehensions, I welcomed the detailed month-by-month explanations of what to expect developmentally after birth (the book covers up to age five). Further, I was delighted to discover from the first chapter that the authors clearly love children and working in the pediatric field. This is quickly apparent from the way that children and parenting are discussed. My son is now three months old, and I enjoy browsing ahead through the book for a sense of what to expect in the days and years ahead. Overall, this title is to be highly recommended for its good humour, clarity, informative content, and celebration of the very reason it was written--our children. It's amazing how many authors and publishers tend to forget this. Conversely, "Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five" by Penelope Leach (another of the three books I selected) is to be avoided for its preachy tone and use of scare-tactics. While not a terrible book, I found Ms. Leach's style heavy-handed. The author is prone to making parents believe that if a baby or child is not attended to in a certain way (such as the one she suggests), then dreadful things will result. Despite its many high recommendations on Amazon's site, I found that Ms. Leach's book presents only her set view of parenting. Even the "Parents Have Their Say" supplements throughout seem to do little more than support the author's own opinions on such issues as circumcision. A far better supplementary choice would be the excellent and informative (although bulky) "Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year."
|
