Tcoycdition Walter Reed

This is an excellent book for new parents. I just love the flow charts which are great when you need answers in a hurry.

I received this book as a freebie, part of a very smart corporation's plan to get their employees to take better care of themselves and their children, presumably, of course, to thereby lessen the overall insurance burden. Never-the-less, with the probable exception of the dictionary, it's been the most referenced book on my shelves over the last 15 years since my first child was born. I treasure its simple wisdom and sensible approach and it has helped me both to ignore certain complaints and to act quickly upon others during that time. As for the rather embittered review which claims it's full of dangerously misleading information, I'd have to disagree (although it's important to note those comments were made in reference to feeding issues, an area -- unlike meningitis, for instance, or a fall which resulted in a jagged bone protruding -- in which there's still a fair bit of debate). No, it shouldn't be used as a sole source of information, nor should it completely replace your own good judgement AND instinct. However, for any number of every day ailments and injuries that any parent will encounter with their children, its generally sound guidance will be most welcome in helping you arrive at a conclusion whether to phone the doctor or not. Being a parent is often enough like playing pin the tail on the donkey in the dark -- this book, however, WILL shine a bit of light where you might need it most.

...when I was a young parent, I bought this book and it was extremely helpful to me. With a new baby, it's hard to know sometimes if the illnesses and symptoms kids get are really dangerous. This book is packed with information about illnesses and conditions, plus, it gives you an easy method of determining whether or not your child needs to see the doctor. I'm going to buy a copy for my "children" now, so that they can use it for my grandchildren!

We absolutely love this book! I use it all the time. If you have a pediatrician like most of us, it's very frustrating to go all the way to the doctor's just to be told there's really not much they can do, and then you have to pay them! This book has saved us many unnecessary visits and worry on behalf of our two daughters. It's so easy to use and tells you exactly what you can do on your own. In our case it has always worked. I have several friends who will call me with questions "for the book." My pediatrician was impressed by it and said he wished all his new mothers had a copy. I highly recommend it as a gift to new and/or "nervous" mothers.

I have had this book and used it for the past 18 years of childrearing. I am now embarking on a new wave of parenting, with a 16 month old I recently adopted from China, and am looking forward to the new edition. Very practical, step-by-step advice for everything from development, to health maintenance and home remedies for common ailments. I have given this book as a baby gift to a lot of new parents.