10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift for expecting parents., November 13, 2008
This review is from: Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
I give this book to all the expectant mothers I know. Sometimes I even give a copy to the grandparents, too. I discovered the FOF Baby & Child Care Guide after my daughter had our first grandchild. I have confidence in Focus on the Family publications and I ordered a copy for her. I was so pleased with the content and the balanced advice. (Not all children are the same, so one answer does not fit all.) Now whenever we have a friend who is expecting a baby I order another book. I enjoy hearing someone who already has a copy tell the recipient "That's a good book. You'll use it a lot." We found the diagnostic information to be so accurate that when our grandson went to the doctor, what the doctor told us was what we had already read in the Child Care book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent advice for parents, March 2, 2009
This review is from: Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
This book provides wonderful and sound advice for parents. It discusses how to provide proper care for your child, what is normal for children in each developmental stage,how to help your child in their development,and how to train children (sleep through the night, potty training, discipline, etc.)It also includes a basic medical section on what type of things to look for when your child is sick or injured and what rememdies you can safely do at home, as well as when you need to take them to a doctor. I bought this first for a niece who works in South America where the medical care is not always reliable, and she has found it very helpful in helping her care for her young children. Now, I like giving it as a gift to new mothers.
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23 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Lack of Research, May 12, 2008
This review is from: Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family) (Hardcover)
My mother purchased this book for my husband and I as a gift when we were expecting our first child. We have used many Focus resources in the past and intend to use their discipline approach for our children. However, this book was extremely disappointing.
Instead of giving a thorough perspective on recent issues, they give sketchy summaries and little research to back up their conclusions.
For example, the book only gives a 2 sentence definition of the Bradley Birth Method in which it even describes at as "anti intervention". My Husband and I attended Bradley classes and never heard any such information taught.
Another, and by far the worst example, is their discussion of vaccines. Not only do they skip the most severe side effects from vaccines such as the MMR, but without giving any research they draw conclusion discrediting anyone who is pro selective inoculation citing examples such as "heard immunity" which has been discredited in the micro-biological area for the past decade.
Yet another example of their lack of research comes with the explanations of ultrasound testing during pregnancy. Focus gives the basic definition of what it is and explains that there have been no tests to suggest it is dangerous. However, according to the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health "routine ultrasound testing during pregnancy has not been sufficiently evaluated to go unquestioned" and according to the FDA "prenatal ultrasounds can't be considered completely innocuous,". Finally according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists "casual use of ultrasound during pregnancy should be avoided." With this many health organizations cautioning against ultrasound, and with documented research suggesting possible dangers, such a conclusion by Focus is very hap-hazard.
Furthermore, the book even presents an inaccurate definition of homoeopathic medicine and draws the conclusion that it is non-main stream and effectiveness is questionable. As a pregnant woman, I find nothing more reassuring then when my midwife can offer me a dietary supplement to cure whatever is ailing me.
Finally, and most insulting of all, the book completely attacks the use of home birth and states that it is a "selfish decision made for convenience" and recommends that people considering it go to a hospital birthcenter instead. My husband and I live in Phoenix, AZ where the last birthcenter closed its doors over a year ago. Our only options for a safe and healthy natural birth are to either argue with the hospital staff for 15 hours in labour or have a trained specialist assist with a home birth!
In conclusion, my husband and I will continue trusting Focus for advice on spiritual and relational issues, but when it comes to medical advice we'll stick with our midwife and the Sears Family Library of books.
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