Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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?

Though you must take some of his child-rearing advice with a grain of salt, this is the most comprehensive childcare book I've encountered. It is very reader-friendly in that it is well-organized and "easy" to read. I've seen some books that are way too generalized, simply giving you information that is already intuitive for most people. This book touches on everything with just enough depth. I think it is especially handy to have the first-aid information at reach. While there are always more detailed resources like WebMD, the dangers in using such sources are that unlicensed, untrained parents end up feeling a mistaken sense of security in being able to "diagnose" their own children. This book allows parents quick access to answers for basic questions--and besides, who is going to spend the time surfing the internet in an emergency when you can quickly grab a book instead?

This book is a staple for child care and raising. I bought it for my daughter and her husband, so that they could have it for their new son.

Great resource!

When I had my first child, I used to carry along this book even for weekend excursions. I suggest that you read the part about First Aid first and the rest of the book when the need arises. The glossary at the back is a life saver until you get to the pediatrician. Excellent book. If you are going to buy only one book about your newly born child, this ought to be the one.

Good old fasioned advice for your baby, can't beat it.

Dr. Spock's folksy manner of writing and inherent trust in the abilities of parents make this book essential reading for the first-time parent. The book hits on all childhood stages from pre-birth through the teenage years, so it does gloss over many specific issues, but it manages to cover the major events of growing up and how parents should expect and prepare for them.

There are several flaws which don't take away from the validity of the book, but which make it less than it could be. The first is the lack of citation for scientific facts. If he says that 1 in 20 children will be affected by ADHD, I'd like to see where that number was pulled from. However, this isn't a book about science and I can understand the reluctance to interrupt the prose for a usually unimportant side note regarding facts just presented. Still, I think that it would be useful to have research citations available, especially with the modern parent's ability to do research on the Internet for themselves.

The other problem I had was the politicization of childcare. He frequently mentions political organizations and activities that are meant to help children, and he encourages parents to get involved with these. The subliminal message is that you can't be a good parent without believing in and supporting a more socialist form of government. There's no problem with such beliefs, of course. They just seem terribly out of place in a book about childcare.

Despite these flaws, "Spock" delivers credible childcare information which can be easily digested by anyone. This isn't a book to read in one sitting. Rather, you'll find yourself coming back time and again to gain more information as your child grows through the stages of childhood. It's a reference book without being overly academic. It's a great resource without bogging down in the details.

But more than anything else, parents will come away with a sense of confidence in their parenting. Dr. Spock's confidence in the natural abilities of parents makes this possible. This single benefit makes this book a classic and is the likely reason its remained one of the most popular childcare books for years.

Dr. Spock's book is a must have for any mom or parent! This is a huge book (900 pages) FULL of information. This is a book that is helpful more than just during the all-important first year, it includes information up till the age of 18...That's the kind of book I like, one that I'll be using, not one I have for a year and then I'm done with it.

There are several sections: Your Child Age by Age (prenatal, delivery and then broken down into ages up until 18 yrs), Feeding and Nutrition (breastfeeding, formula feeding, starting solids, a picky toddler), Raising Mentally Healthy Children (daycare, disciplin, sexuality, stresses and tantrums), Common Developmental and Behavioral Challenges (sibling rivalry, whining, habits, toilet training, disabilities), Learning and School (learning and brain, ready for school, school problems, planning for college), Health and Safety (injuries, immunizations, first aid, dental, common childhood illnesses). As you can see, this book is pretty comprehensive! My son is 2 and so far I am finding some tips and advice helpful, and other times the section is too vague or not helpful. But, overall I still think it's a fabulous book for parents. I had a long search for a book like this and this was the best I could find. The only other that I got and enjoyed was Your Baby's First Year (endorsed by the AAP), but that was only good for year #1.

If you're a new parent and looking for a helpful, comprehensive parenting book, search no more! This was the best book I could find.

I raised my children using Dr. Spocks book, and so were my grandchildren, and I got this for my great-granddaughter. It has answers for almost any situation and takes you through babyhood into childhood. I'm 67 and I wouldn't have purchased this book for my granddaughter's baby if I didn't have the confidence that the contents were sound, good, and would give some confidence to new parents. I highly recommend this book as a backup for any first-time parents.