Product Description

Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, renowned pediatrician and author advises parents on home treatment and diagnosis of colds and flus, childhood illnesses, vision and hearing problems, allergies, and more. PLUS, a complete section on picking the right doctor for your child, step-by-step instructions for knowing when to call a doctor, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39169 in Books
• Published on: 1987-05-12
• Released on: 1987-05-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 304 pages

Ingram
Dr. Mendelsohn instructs parents how to diagnose and treat their children without medical intervention, how to determine if their child is sick enough for a doctor, and how to recognize the correct medical treatments. HC: Contemporary Books.

Customer Reviews

Good for those who ask questions..
This book is full of wonderful advice. I first got it almost three years ago when my son was an infant. I loaned it to a friend and never got it back..

As a child, I had all kinds of childhood illnesses, and my mother would take me to the doctor for every little thing. I had a LOT of ear infections, and they always gave me antibiotics, which actually made me more prone to getting sick and having even MORE ear infections. I'm glad I read this book, because it basically tells you that you don't always need all the antibiotics, vaccinations and various medications to treat everything. He lists the side effects and complications that can and do happen from blindly listening to your doctor. When my son has a fever, flu, or cold, I don't even think about going to the doctor, and he's been one of the healthiest kids I know. I also don't get him vaccinated, as the pediatrition bullied me into it when he was four months old, and my son got very sick as a result. He said these were "normal reactions", but I think if vaccinations and medications cause a baby to convulse, have a high fever, and vomit, then we need to rethink these vaccinations and medications! My dad, who is now 61, never had an immunization as a child. He had measles, mumps, whooping cough, and just about every other child-hood illness you can imagine. He, and millions of other people, survived just fine, but a lot of doctors will want to scare you anyway.

There are some people who are very angry at this book because it tells you to think for yourself. It tells you the truth about these important issues, and a lot of people would rather blindly believe the government and their doctors, who by the way recieve government and pharmacutical funding to push these drugs. This is a very informative read, and should be read by anyone who prefers to trust their instincts, think for themselves, and make their own decisions!

Good Book Outdated information
I bought this book because the title grabbed me, and I guess I didn't look into it enough first. But when I took it home to read, I started thinking some things in the book were strange. Like what kind of doctor would really try and talk you out of breast-feeding and into bottle feeding? I was inundated with literature, advice etc. on the benefits of breast-feeding when I had my baby five years ago in the hospital. And since when do even hospitals, not allow you to see your baby after its born. I think even very traditional places, now-a days let you see the baby after its born and let you keep it in your room if you want, with no problem.
Also, I really can't speak for how it is around the country, but I think something has changed with the attitude of doctor's around the country since the prevalance of HMO's. Now I don't see pediatricians pressing too many expensive tests or unneseccary visits. Perhaps this is because doctors are not getting paid in cashlike they were back in the seventies and eighties.
Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, and for anyone who has always completely relied on their pediatrician or physcian without question, this book is an invaluable first step into taking your families' health in hand. I guess I was looking for more specific up-to-date advice, and Dr. Mendelsohn just kind of lectures in an overview fashion.
His most valuable advice was about earaches and the over use of antibiotics. I really tend to think that doctors have cut back a little on the haphazard prescription of antibiotics but, its good for every parent to know its danger.
--Also ear-mark the pages on ingesting poisonous substances, and memorize them as it often difficult to think clearly in those emergency cases.
--Also very important (and I wish we had the latest data on this) p. 40 the dangers of pre-natal Ultra-Sounds.
All-in-all a good read, if it had been more expensive, I would have been really upset. I'm just interested in more up-to-date specific information.

Very Helpful Book
Dr. Mendelsohn's book is clear, concise and well written. It offers very helpful information for 1st time parents who are scared to death about doing anything wrong (like me). I have picked it up more times that I can count over the last 18 months and been reasurred each time. It also provides valuable information when I need to question my son's pediatrician.