Rating: 
Summary: Exceedingly recommended!
Review: Buy this book for yourself and then buy it for every baby shower you ever attend. I LOVE "The Portable Pediatrician". Dr. Nathansan does a "portrait of an age" at the beginning of each chapter where she profiles a fictional, typical child of that age. It's usually pretty funny and very enlightening. Then she goes on to describe what is going on developmentally for that age and psychologically, why these kids do what they do. It really helps a lot! I feel like knowing why your child is doing something is the first step in dealing with it. Not only that, she describes every childhood illness or complaint in detail...it's like having your own private pediatrician on call 24/7.
Rating:
Summary: Exceedingly recommended!
Review: Buy this book for yourself and then buy it for every baby shower you ever attend. I LOVE "The Portable Pediatrician". Dr. Nathansan does a "portrait of an age" at the beginning of each chapter where she profiles a fictional, typical child of that age. It's usually pretty funny and very enlightening. Then she goes on to describe what is going on developmentally for that age and psychologically, why these kids do what they do. It really helps a lot! I feel like knowing why your child is doing something is the first step in dealing with it. Not only that, she describes every childhood illness or complaint in detail...it's like having your own private pediatrician on call 24/7.
Rating:
Summary: Almost like having a pediatrician in your own home!
Review: I am a registered nurse with two children and I am a family home child care provider. Because of this, I have read countless books about children and children's health and this book is by far one of the best. It is the first book I refer to, even before my nursing textbooks. In fact, I have referred to this book so many times in the past five years that my copy is nearly worn out. I have also bought this book for family members and friends with children as a gift. Dr.Nathanson speaks to the reader in easy-to-understand language, not "medical mumbo-jumbo" and explains what to expect in each age group of the first five years of childhood both developmentally and physically. She also has a guide for how to decide when a call or visit to your child's doctor is warranted. Dr. Nathanson's book can't replace your child's doctor but it can definitely answer many health questions and may save you unnecessary calls or visits to the doctor's office.
Rating:
Summary: Almost like having a pediatrician in your own home!
Review: I am a registered nurse with two children and I am a family home child care provider. Because of this, I have read countless books about children and children's health and this book is by far one of the best. It is the first book I refer to, even before my nursing textbooks. In fact, I have referred to this book so many times in the past five years that my copy is nearly worn out. I have also bought this book for family members and friends with children as a gift. Dr.Nathanson speaks to the reader in easy-to-understand language, not "medical mumbo-jumbo" and explains what to expect in each age group of the first five years of childhood both developmentally and physically. She also has a guide for how to decide when a call or visit to your child's doctor is warranted. Dr. Nathanson's book can't replace your child's doctor but it can definitely answer many health questions and may save you unnecessary calls or visits to the doctor's office.
Rating:
Summary: Here's a doctor who respects a parent's instincts
Review: I have 3 children and half-a-dozen parenting books. This is the only one I continue to use. It has great information to help you figure out when you actually NEED to call a doctor, and Dr. Nathanson talks like someone who actually likes to hear what parents think. This book has helped me catch some pretty significant illnesses early on, before they became more serious. I highly recommend it for anyone with young children, whether they are first time parents or more experienced. I give this book as a gift at every baby shower I attend.
Rating:
Summary: Here's a doctor who respects a parent's instincts
Review: I have 3 children and half-a-dozen parenting books. This is the only one I continue to use. It has great information to help you figure out when you actually NEED to call a doctor, and Dr. Nathanson talks like someone who actually likes to hear what parents think. This book has helped me catch some pretty significant illnesses early on, before they became more serious. I highly recommend it for anyone with young children, whether they are first time parents or more experienced. I give this book as a gift at every baby shower I attend.
Rating:
Summary: A great gift for new parents!!!!
Review: I have had this book for over 3 years and have referred to it countless times. It has very practical and logical advice on medical and behavior problems. Also, very funny stories about behavior you may encounter with each progressive stage of your young childs life. I would highly recommend this book to all parents of babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Rating:
Summary: Great resource!
Review: I have many childcare books, including all of the "standard" books of the past 10 - 50 years, but I am most grateful for this one. It includes the most comprehensive and current information on illnesses as well as cognitive development information year by year. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: The Only Child Reference Book You'll Need
Review: I have three children of my own as well as own a child care center. I still refer to THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN FOR PARENTS weekly to answer my questions and satisfy my concerns. I have even found information on little known childhood ailments like my daughter's that other book's fail to recognize. Many of the parents I serve have borrowed this book to answers some of their child rearing questions and it is now my first choice for a baby shower gift. Parent's with children over five should also know that the author has another book available called THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN"S GUIDE TO KIDS that covers medical and developmental issues of older children (5-12 years).
Rating:
Summary: Excellent content - but weird illustrations
Review: I have to agree with many of the other reviewers - this is a wonderful, valuable book for any new parent. Guides you from birth to age 5 in great detail and is easy to read. The one thing I don't like is the badly done, sometimes very strange looking illustrations. Fortunately, they're not essential to the content of the book. Perhaps the doctor's next version will have a different illustrator!
| 
