Your Child's Health: The Parents' One-Stop Reference Guide To: Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems, and Healthy Deve

We take the calls for 20 pediatricians' offices overnight. The protocols we use to decide when a child needs to go to the ER, make an appt during office hours, or be treated by parents at home were written by this author. We often use this book to give parents additional advice for treating at home, because this book is written in a way that is very easy for parents to understand. It covers everything for illness and injury from the basics (is green poop ok?) to the unusual (what to do for a jellyfish sting). At 2 a.m. with a child who has a fever of 104, you will be glad you have this book!

I have read a lot of child care books and this one is the BEST! Don't hesitate to get it. I give it to every new mom I know.

When I had my first baby in 1997, I bought A LOT of child care/medical reference books. My purchases included Dr. Spock, Dr. Sears, Penelope Leach, and Dr. Brazelton. My only keeper has been "Your Child's Health," but the version I first owned was a bit out of date. (For example, ibuprofen was still a prescription drug.) Now I am delighted that my favorite book when my kids are sick was updated in 2005. When I saw this edition, I immediately replaced my own copy and bought one for my sister who is a new mom. Like the older edition, this book is organized in a VERY useful way. For each type of problem, there is a quick summary that leads you quickly to an understanding of what you probably should do for your child right now, tomorrow, or at your next doctor's appointment. This book also helps to calm nervous parents. The section about fevers is a great example of this. Barton acknowledges that fevers are scary for parents. He then provides calming words, clear facts and direction about when you really need to worry. I still find that the advice does break down when it comes to issues that I consider cultural in nature. I do not think that this author is an expert in the areas of co-sleeping, breast feeding or feeding schedules. I strongly reccomend Dr. Sears or the La Leche League for more thorough and thoughtful information on these subjects. Despite this small weakness, I think that this is a book that every family with babies and small children MUST have.

I use to work on the Pediatric floor of a local hospital for over 15 years, I wish I had known about THIS book then! A few years ago I started working at an "advice" nurse line. This book was used to create some of the Pediatric guidelines. The nurses call this book the "Pediatric Bible"!The first time I used the book was for a call about a child with a ring stuck on her finger. I told the mom what to do and it worked! From that time on, I have told parents to get this book. If you don't have access to an advice nurse line, I highly recomend you get this book. The information is easy for any parent to understand. It's straightforward information to ease any parents mind.One of my co-workers even gives this book as part of a wonderful basket of goodies for baby showers! What a great idea!!!

When our oldest child was born, our pediatrician recommended this book and it has been our bible for almost nine years and two kids: we've worn out 2 copies. Addresses not just medical questions but also general parenting for all ages: best bottom- line advice I've ever seen on issues from discipline to child care to weekly allowances to freedom/responsibilities for older kids. Very practical guidelines for each illness or medical situation on when to call the doctor immediately, when to wait until office hours and when and how to treat at home. Also great in helping you organize what is important to tell your pediatrican when you call in for consult. Terrific first aid and trauma advice in clearly written, bulleted format.I've bought MANY of these as gifts and everyone has really used and relied on it. Unlike any other pediatric guide I've ever seen. A whole-hearted recommendation.