The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Symptoms : The Official, Complete Home Reference, Birth Through Adolescence

Rating:
Summary: very incomplete home reference
Review: Based on the good reviews I read on this site, I purchased the book. Consequently, I am making my first ever return of a purchase to Amazon.com. It certainly did not live up to my expectations -- I wanted a pediatric home reference I could turn to in the middle of the night. Like for the common childhood ailments that don't need emergency treatment or a doctor's attention.
There's barely any suggestions for home remedies-- e.g., how to make your child more comfortable at night when he has a cold. Instead, practically everything my husband and I looked up suggested "Consult your pediatrician." Moreover, the symptoms are discussed in such a limited fashion, what are you supposed to do if it's something in between-- or just one and not the other? Le me guess--- consult your pediatrician.
It was so infuriating until we realized that it was produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics-- so now it looks to us like they're promoting the business or something. I will continue searching for an adequate home reference. Something I can turn to during the times when CLEARLY I don't need to call 911 or call the pediatrician.

Rating:
Summary: Credible, sound, helpful
Review: Don't let some of the negative reviews that appear here put you off -- this is an excellent resource. Essentially the book lets you diagnose what your child might have and then lets you know whether you a) need to take your child in to the doc or b) you should relax. Anybody who expects more out of a book like this is dreaming. As for organization -- I recommend using the index in the back of the book. Helps you find things fast. My wife and I swear by this book; it is something we give any freinds or families who have children for the first time. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reference!
Review: I can't tell you how many times I have referenced this book in the middle of the night. It has been a tremendous source of comfort. I like the reference format with the grid of symptoms. The only thing that could make this better would be pictures of what rashes (like the trademark bullseye of a Lyme's disease-infected tick bite or a chicken pox mark) look like.

Rating:
Summary: Hopelessly inadequate
Review: The text of this book is incredibly superficial and condescending, poorly organized, and missing dozens of critical areas -- with almost no helpful illustrations and virtually every problem or question being answered by referring you to a pediatrician (surprise! from a book put out by their academy). Definitely do not waste resources on this low quality text that could be made far better use of for you and your child.

Rating:
Summary: Hopelessly inadequate
Review: The text of this book is incredibly superficial and condescending, poorly organized, and missing dozens of critical areas -- with almost no helpful illustrations and virtually every problem or question being answered by referring you to a pediatrician (surprise! from a book put out by their academy). Definitely do not waste resources on this low quality text that could be made far better use of for you and your child.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected to receive from my pediatrician!
Review: This book has been a lifesaver for me! My son is now 10 months old, and I refer to this book at least once a week. The book is divided by the child's age group, and within that age group the symptoms are listed alphabetically. For example, if your child is an infant with a fever, you would refer to the index in the very front of the book under the first section, Infants. Then, you would find the sympton listed that you are looking for, in this case "Fever". When you turn to the correct page, it also references what other symptons may accompany the fever and the different causes, treatments, what to do next, and what to watch out for. In the cases where I have double-checked with my pediatrician on what the book has suggested, the pediatrician has always said the SAME thing! Believe me, you will not be sorry you bought this!

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for Anyone with a Child!
Review: This book has been a lifesaver for me! My son is now 10 months old, and I refer to this book at least once a week. The book is divided by the child's age group, and within that age group the symptoms are listed alphabetically. For example, if your child is an infant with a fever, you would refer to the index in the very front of the book under the first section, Infants. Then, you would find the sympton listed that you are looking for, in this case "Fever". When you turn to the correct page, it also references what other symptons may accompany the fever and the different causes, treatments, what to do next, and what to watch out for. In the cases where I have double-checked with my pediatrician on what the book has suggested, the pediatrician has always said the SAME thing! Believe me, you will not be sorry you bought this!

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected to receive from my pediatrician!
Review: This book is poorly organized and lacking form and good information. It seems to refer to older children rather than babies and the "if" approach to your babies symptoms is lousy... It always leaves you in the dark. I would not recommend this book for a first time parent.

Rating:
Summary: best book for a paniced parent
Review: This book is the best for any parent, but for the parent who can't figure out what is wrong with his or her child, it is the best! I have looked through dozens of parenting books for myself and for friends. This book goes by symptoms, not just by age. I love this book and give it to every new mother I know.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful in a pinch
Review: This is the first place I go when I have a question about my 5-month-old's health. So often I haven't been sure if it is something serious or something normal and this book has helped me decide. The format really helped to clear things up. I wish some of the sections (rashes especially) would have little pictures to help you determine if it applied for you or not. It also helps me to know the critical issues so when I do talk to the pediatrician I can describe the symptoms a little better.