The Portable Pediatrician: A Practicing Pediatrician's Guide to Your Child's Growth, Development, Health and Behavior, from Birth to Age Five

Rating:
Summary: best and most commonsensical parenting book on the market
Review: A terrific parenting guide. The descriptions of each age are priceless! And she is that rare pediatrician who seems to live in the same "real world" as I do. Lots of good practical advice and enjoyable reading. This is the book I give to all my pregnant friends.

Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment....
Review: As an anxiety ridden, first time mom, I am addicted to reference matierials such as this book. I own several books of this sort and refer to them often. However, I was very disappointed in the advice this book had to offer and disagree with many of the authors opinions. For example, she states that children in the 12-18 month age set should not be given any snacks during the day and children of any age should not be given peanut butter for the mere fact that it is fattening. I don't agree wtih her advice to hold a toddler immobile, facing the wall during a tantrum and to give that child the cold shoulder after the tantrum is over. It seems to me that this would only promote passive aggressive behavior right from the start. THis book seems to be written on the assumption that all children are the same and every situation should be handled the exact same way. Does this doctor have children?

Rating:
Summary: I'm returning it
Review: At first, I was mixed about the book. Dr.Nathanson is great on nutrition and breastfeeding, but I really didn't like her parenting philosophy. Her suggestion that holding a child less during the day is a solution to a child's desiring holding at night seemed cold. That was when I started thinking about returning the book.
Then, I got to the section about 9-12 month olds, and her suggestion that now would be the time for me to buy a "leash" for my child, so that he would get used to it. That was pretty much my limit. I didn't adopt a dog, I gave birth to a child, and I would no sooner leash him than I would feed him kibble.
But, at least she's an advocate of breastfeeding.

Rating:
Summary: I'm returning it
Review: At first, I was mixed about the book. Dr.Nathanson is great on nutrition and breastfeeding, but I really didn't like her parenting philosophy. Her suggestion that holding a child less during the day is a solution to a child's desiring holding at night seemed cold. That was when I started thinking about returning the book.
Then, I got to the section about 9-12 month olds, and her suggestion that now would be the time for me to buy a "leash" for my child, so that he would get used to it. That was pretty much my limit. I didn't adopt a dog, I gave birth to a child, and I would no sooner leash him than I would feed him kibble.
But, at least she's an advocate of breastfeeding.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: I have a few problems with this book. First of all, the lay-out can be difficult to follow. Sometimes it just seems jumbled. And, more importantly, I think the author is too obsessed with weight. Considering our country's growing population of obese children, there is some reason for concern, but her advice against snacks for toddlers is taking things a bit too far (and is in contradiction to the American Academy of Pediatrics' advice). The book is filled with advice about how to tell if your baby is too chubby, and how to keep them trim. This might be useful IF your pediatrician has told you that your child is too heavy, but could cause useless anxiety otherwise. Also, like any baby book author, Dr. Nathanson's biases show through, and may be in conflict with yours. For example, in the chapter on Nine months to One year, she advocates, "Consider a baby-harness or leash: this is the age for Cherub (she always refers to baby as Cherub) to get used to it." If this makes you cringe, you might want to pass on this particular book. In the nine months since our son was born, we've refered to this book a few times, but have found The American Academy of Pediatrics Caring for your Baby and Young Child Birth to Age 5 much more useful.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: I have a few problems with this book. First of all, the lay-out can be difficult to follow. Sometimes it just seems jumbled. And, more importantly, I think the author is too obsessed with weight. Considering our country's growing population of obese children, there is some reason for concern, but her advice against snacks for toddlers is taking things a bit too far (and is in contradiction to the American Academy of Pediatrics' advice). The book is filled with advice about how to tell if your baby is too chubby, and how to keep them trim. This might be useful IF your pediatrician has told you that your child is too heavy, but could cause useless anxiety otherwise. Also, like any baby book author, Dr. Nathanson's biases show through, and may be in conflict with yours. For example, in the chapter on Nine months to One year, she advocates, "Consider a baby-harness or leash: this is the age for Cherub (she always refers to baby as Cherub) to get used to it." If this makes you cringe, you might want to pass on this particular book. In the nine months since our son was born, we've refered to this book a few times, but have found The American Academy of Pediatrics Caring for your Baby and Young Child Birth to Age 5 much more useful.

Rating:
Summary: best shower gift I received
Review: I have referred to this book countless times- It has saved me more than one trip to the doctor and kept me from asking stupid questions. Unlike some similar books "What To Expect, etc" this book is organized in an easy to read, easy to find what you need format. I am about to buy two more copies to give as shower gifts- including one for my little sister

Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment....
Review: I received this book as a gift prior to the birth of our first child. I enjoyed reading before our son was born but I truly LOVED having it after we brought him home from the hospital. I had so many questions and concerns those first few days and this book answered them all! Now he is a little over a month old and I still reference this book at least once a day (I'll admit, I'm a paranoid mother). But it's still a great resource, especially for new parents like myself. I just bought two other copies for friend's babyshowers. This was one of the best gifts I received. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful resource!
Review: I received this book as a gift prior to the birth of our first child. I enjoyed reading before our son was born but I truly LOVED having it after we brought him home from the hospital. I had so many questions and concerns those first few days and this book answered them all! Now he is a little over a month old and I still reference this book at least once a day (I'll admit, I'm a paranoid mother). But it's still a great resource, especially for new parents like myself. I just bought two other copies for friend's babyshowers. This was one of the best gifts I received. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books for the first time parents
Review: I think this is one of the best books on parenting that I have. It has everything that you need to know about development of your child. Each chapter has "Portrait of an age," which always "fits" with my child's actual behavior so you can read ahead and know what to anticipate in the coming months. The book also has a very detailed medical information and "what if..." sections which I haven't found in many other books. For each chapter "what if.." sections talk about how life-changing events such as starting a daycare, moving, getting pregnant with a second child, getting a divorse etc influence your child's behavior and development at a particular age. I think the author has a great common sense approach about disciplining your child as well. And yes, ignoring your child during a tantrum actually works and makes him stop doing it! I found a lot of valuable advice on how to deal with the negative behavior and prevent it by setting the limits ahead of time. The author also spends a lot of time on how to communicate with your child at each stage to stimulate his development. I really like the book and would higly recommend it to all parents.