Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents [Paperback]

Randall Neustaedter O.M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2005

The number of children taking prescription drugs for every type of ailment has reached epidemic proportions. Child Health Guide offers sensible alternatives to this disturbing trend, providing the information parents need to make informed decisions about natural healing for their children and the integration of natural treatments into their children's medical care. The book covers the prenatal period through infancy, toddlerhood, and into middle childhood, with emphasis on extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, a natural foods diet, avoidance of toxic chemicals, limited use of vaccines, and treatment of health problems with homeopathic medicines and herbs. Child Health Guide respects parents' choices while providing persuasive arguments for building a healthy immune system by avoiding conventional drugs and stressing natural methods. Using an educational and informative tone, the book discusses preventive medicine, the causes of poor health in children, and common foods and chemical exposures that can contribute to chronic illness. It also provides nutritional interventions that strengthen immunity and promote healing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is long overdue. Parents are overwhelmed by choices in caring for the health of their children. Thorough and practical, this guide is invaluable for deciding on the best care, from various healing traditions to conventional scientific medicine."
-Robert Schiller, M.D., Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York

"This book offers a fresh voice for parents and professionals in search of a wide-angle view of child health. Randy Neustaedter has given us a wealth of information collected from his extensive experience caring for children. Child Health Guide will be an invaluable addition to the field of Pediatrics for anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge beyond the confines of our conventional health care system."
- Stephen S. Cowan, M.D., FAAP, Pediatrician

"Child Health Guide provides parents and healthcare practitioners with valuable information to keep children healthy. This book teaches us to strengthen and maintain vitality in infants and children using natural interventions. Randy Neustaedter offers a strong voice to support another way of thinking about how we raise our children."
- Lawrence B. Palevsky, M.D., FAAP, Pediatrician

"Congratulations to Dr. Neustaedter on another great book! With sections on nutrition, sleep, behavior, common health problems, and more, Child Health Guide will prove an indispensable reference for parents wanting to raise their children in a more healthful, natural, and thoughtful way. While thoroughly researched and referenced, the concise presentation makes the information easy for busy parents to absorb and use right away. Dr. Neustaedter’s dedication to the betterment of our children’s health can be found on every page."
- Janet Lavatin, M.D., Pediatrician

"Child Health Guide is a comprehensive and easily accessible tool that provides new and experienced parents with a solid foundation of practical and evidence-based information that will confidently guide them through integrating traditional and alternative healthcare methods of treatments. This is a must-read for parents who want to make informed and safe healthcare choices."
- Lisa Reagan, President, Families for Natural Living

"Parents who want to raise a child with truly optimal health now have a valuable resource in Child Health Guide. This empowering book covers all aspects of holistic parenting to help parents make informed decisions. It is a great gift to parents and a refreshing contribution to a pediatric healthcare system in need of transformation."
- Jane Sheppard, Executive Director, Holistic Pediatric Association

About the Author

Dr. Randall Neustaedter has practiced holistic medicine for more than thirty years in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in child health care. He is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Oriental Medicine, as well as president of the Holistic Pediatric Association ( www.hpakids.com), author of the The Vaccine Guide, and the father of five children. Visit his website, www.cure-guide.com, to register for a free newsletter with pediatric updates.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (May 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556435649
• ISBN-13: 978-1556435645
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the ONLY TWO children's health books you need, January 14, 2006

By 

Health Nut (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents (Paperback)

If you're someone who finds yourself inexorably drawn to living the healthy life and want the best for your child's health, you should consider buying this book. It's the most concise, accurate treatise I've seen on the subject of children's health. In fact, I intend to buy 10 copies and give them out to friends and relatives as they have kids!

Dr. Neustaedter not only covers traditional subjects like coughs, colds, ear infections, and supplements, but he also broadens the net to include assessments of water filters, safe crib mattresses to reduce SIDS, breastfeeding how-tos, Vitamin K shots at birth, etc. This is but a sampling of what's included! I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering getting pregnant (since the subject matter covers conception to pre-teen health).

What's taken 80% of my leisure time in the last 4 years to investigate on my own, he's drawn together in one handy book for you. Wish he'd published this 4 years ago :-)

BTW, who am I? I am a woman who is into all things healthy and am the lodestone for all I know IRL who want to find out what being healthy means. They've always suggested I should publish a book, but now, I don't have to - Dr. Randy's done it :-)

Lastly, the other book you should have is Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child - which includes every possible illness under the sun, and 4 or 5 alternative, home remedy, and allopathic treatments for each.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Children Came With A Care-Manual -- This Would Be It!!, March 24, 2006

By 

Knowledge is Power (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents (Paperback)

The Child Health Guide is hands down the best, holistic book on pregnancy & parenting that I have found yet. I'm still learning stuff that I didn't know -- stuff that helps with my 15 year old!!
The author holds a degree in Oriental Medicine and focuses on scientific information to teach you to make healthier choices for you and your family.

Here's a sampling: Plastic Toys and Phthalates; Environmental Toxins In The Home; Chemicals To Avoid In Shampoo; Why Avoid Soy?; Which Sweeteners Are (Relatively) Safe & Sweeteners To Avoid; DHA Supplementation, Cod Liver Oil Nutrient Content, Fats For Children, etc.; The Most Important Foods To Avoid; Principles Of Holistic Pediatrics For Parents; Vaccines -- Making An Informed Choice.

There is an entire section that focuses on managing acute illness, treatment at home & when to seek outside help.

There is so much more. This IS the book to get for someone looking to get pregnant and raise healthy children!!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars forget all other books-this one first!!, January 5, 2006

By 

purplelizard (east coast) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents (Paperback)

Being holistic, I've been waiting a long time for one book to bring together so much vital information for new parents, I cannot recommend this book more--read this even before you get pregnant and before other baby books!! His resources are up to date and quite vast. Randall informs you of what testing, vaccines...and steps/procedures are and are not vital in those early days of your newborn....he tells you all about the covering of newborn mattresses...foods to feed and avoid at what ages (carrots not too early!). Please be aware this is NOT a "granola" book on parenting..if you can't breast feed...it is ok...he gives you recipes for awesome infant formulas...in the toxic world we live in today--this book is a must!! (his other book on vaccines is also essential reading)