Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care: 8th Edition [Paperback]

Benjamin Spock (Author), Robert Needlman (Editor)

Book Description

Release date: June 1, 2004

OVER 50 MILLION COPIES IN PRINT!

THE CLASSIC THAT CONTINUES TO GROW WITH THE TIMES! For sixty-five years, parents have relied on the expert advice of renowned pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock. But while children never change, issues and concerns do. Dr. Robert Needlman, himself a top-notch pediatrician, has newly updated and expanded this timeless classic to speak to any parent who is raising children in our rapidly changing world. While still providing reassuring advice on age-old topics such as caring for a new baby, as well as accidents, illness, and injuries, this book also contains expanded information in many new areas, including:

- Cutting-edge medical opinion on immunizations

- Obesity and nutrition

- Cultural diversity and nontraditional family structures

- Children's learning and brain development

- The newest thinking on children with special needs

- Environmental health

- Increasingly common disorders such as ADHD, depression, and autism-- including medications and behavioral interventions

- Children and the media, including electronic games

- Coping with family stress

- And much, much more

With an updated glossary of common medications and an authoritative list of the most reliable online resources, this invaluable guide is still the next best thing to Dr. Spock's #1 rule of parenting: "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Benjamin Spock, M.D., practiced pediatrics in New York City from 1933 to 1947. He then became a medical teacher and researcher at the Mayo Clinic, the University of Pittsburgh, and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. The author of eleven books, he was a political activist for causes that vitally affect children: disarmament, day care, schooling, housing, and medical care for all. He had two sons, a stepdaughter, and four grandchildren. Dr. Spock, who died March 15, 1998, at age ninety-four, was married to Mary Morgan. Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care has been translated into thirty-nine languages and has sold fifty million copies worldwide since its first publication in 1946.

Product Details

• Paperback: 992 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books; 8 edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743476670
• ISBN-13: 978-0743476676
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Your family will live long and prosper with Spock's advice February 23, 2005

By Fruit Loop VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Dr. Spock's common sense approach to practical parenting and sound advice on the most basic elements of childrearing will never go out of style no matter how many times this book is revised and reprinted. This is Mom And Dad 101 and covers everything from preconception to teenhood. Spock answers the most elemental stuff - Care and Feeding, Diapering, to health issues and how to answer those tough questions from your toddler. A must-have for any parent, either first time or twelfth.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Guide! July 28, 2005

By Delilah

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book has the most common sense approach to parenting I have seen to date. Very much an advocate of trusting your own instincts, he allows parents to be comfortable with their decisions.

A great reference guide, quick answers to a lot of those questions that new parents have... even the ones that they don't know they have, and the ones they don't want to admit that they have.

I highly recommend this book!

**********************UPDATE************************

So, my son is 4 now, and my dog-eared copy of Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care still has a place of prominence on my bookshelf.
This book helped me get through a couple of awful colds. It helped me figure out childproofing. Struggles with toilet training (best advice ever- stop struggling!), dinner-time (same advice! :-) ) So many little (and big) questions were answered with this book.

I could research things in the book, prior to taking my son for his well-baby checkups.

I'm a single mom with a really supportive family - that lives a thousand miles away. Dr. Spock helped fill the gaps. It's not a bible, it's not infallible- I don't completely agree, but I don't completely agree with my mother either!

I just can't recommend this book enough.

**********************2nd Update!******************************

My son is now a 7 year old second grader. And we're a part of a blended family.

I've just pulled my extremely well used copy of Dr. Spock's Baby and Child care off my shelf again and find myself looking to it for help.
I think I'll need to buy another copy, as mine is dog eared to the point of falling apart- through no fault of the book, just from constant use.

If I could convince everyone to buy just one book to help them raise a child- this would be it.

What to do about lying, once a child tries it? What to do about bullies, when they're encountered in school? Should I call the doctor about that rash? My child suddenly developed some new, and strange fears - what should I do?
These are all questions that I turned to Dr. Spock for. And all things that Dr. Spock helped me with.

I LOVE this book!

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love It!! Very Informative July 7, 2004

By A Safiro

Format:Paperback

I actually borrow this book from my local library. I am quite amazed by Dr. Spock's insight. I know and I've read so many times that each baby has its own unique development. But somehow Dr. Spock explains it in a different way. He also explores the importance of non-physical development, things that we missed on daily basis just because we are too busy comparing other babies are chubbier. Admit it mom!

This book covers different stages of child development. So I don't read all of them at once, only on the sections that relate to my baby's current progress.

Dr. Spock's suggestion is "TRUST YOURSELF". He believes mom knows the unique needs of her baby, and when the world-known pediatrician told you that .. what more can you say?