Customer Reviews

Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth through the Teen Years (Focus on the Family)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I got this book as a general baby care book for my daughter with her first child. I chose this one because it was recommended by Focus on the Family. Lots of pages, lots of writing, more like a medical book than something a mom could use. Who has the time to read so much when you have a little baby? This book is very heavy, very thick. The ideas are probably all good but the book is not inviting, too technical for real use. Instead I gave her Knack Baby's First Year: A Complete Illustrated Guide for Your Child's First Twelve Months (Knack: Make It easy) This book has beautiful pictures for expectant parents, to the point ideas and it's easy to use and carry around. Fits the need much better.

Excellent source for all parents who are looking for authoritative information on every aspect of childcare from birth through the teen years.

I had read the reviews before I bought but since I treasure anything from Focus, I went ahead and purchased this book, assuming that the "nay-sayers" were a little too intense. However, while the book is very reassuring for new parents, it lacks depth and the quantity of facts I was looking for. I would love to see Focus and the author give it a LOT more meat!

I am a chaplain. The company I work for uses this book to give away as a gift to new moms when I visit them in the hospital. I purchased this one to give to my niece when she had her baby. All of the moms who receive these books really appreciate them and use them often.

I have used this as a baby shower gift for years. Even mothers that have had previous children tell me they are amazed how useful it is to them.

Great for new parents...especially new moms. Everything you have questions about you can look up and find an answer. Biblically based advice for raising kids and sound medical advice based on the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This is the second time I have purchased this book; the first when my daughter had her son and now for my daughter-in-law. The information is timely and very helpful for the first time mom and dad. The advice and information is given in an easy to read and understand format. A must for all parents particularly if you are looking for advice and answers to questions that arise as the child grows physically and emotionally, The material is all very sound. I have never been disappointed in any reference books published by Focus on the Family