What Your Pediatrician Doesn't Know Can Hurt Your Child: A More Natural Approach to Parenting [Paperback]

Susan Markel (Author), Linda F. Palmer (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2010

Sometimes doctors don't know best. Fortunately, mom and doctor Susan Markel is a pediatrician who questions conventional wisdom and instead partners decision-based medicine with the best ideas of attachment parenting.

Too often, parents ignore their instincts and better sense to follow their doctor's advice, such as overtreating vulnerable children, letting babies cry themselves to sleep and giving their children cow's milk for strong bones, even though strong evidence shows none of these practices is the best route.

Revealing the medical industry's gaps in knowledge is Dr. Susan Markel, frequent contributor to BabyCenter.com, the world's most popular parenting site, and Le Leche League International medical liaison, and Linda F. Palmer, D.C., author of Baby Matters. This new work, What Your Pediatrician Doesn't Know Can Hurt Your Child, combines the latest research with solid advice from a pediatrician who dares to defy her rote education and big-industry-supported dogma and seek out parent- and child-centered choices in all aspects of child care. As a mother and a pediatrician with more than 30 years' experience, Dr. Markel has come to find that less intervention in the natural processes generally brings superior outcomes.

While providing helpful how-to natural parenting ideas throughout, What Your Pediatrician Doesn't Know Can Hurt Your Child gives parents insight into many instances where standard pediatric dogma is in conflict with the best research. Parents will find comprehensive solutions to specific health concerns and issues affecting children, such as:

* Nutrition, including breastfeeding
* Shared sleep
* Baby carrying
* Common illnesses and natural healing

* Emotional health
* Discipline with love

In a reader-friendly, succinct format, not bogged down by scientific digressions, this book will assist parents in making the best possible choices for the mental and physical health of their children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SUSAN MARKEL, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician who has a private consultative practice specializing in parent coaching and child health. A graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Dr. Markel became a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics in1981, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 1997. During her years in private pediatrics practice in central Connecticut, she served as an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center, teaching pediatric residents. For many years, she was a medical liaison for the breastfeeding support organization La Leche League International. She is also a medical associate at Attachment Parenting International, a nonprofit parenting organization promoting "peaceful parenting for a peaceful world." Dr. Markel has been a regular contributor to BabyCenter.com, and an "Ask the Doctor" columnist for ERGObaby carriers.
Dr. Markel divides her time between homes in Connecticut and Aix en Provence, France. She can be reached via her website, AttachmentParentingDoctor.com




Dr. Linda Palmer is a doctor of chiropractic, a consultant and speaker on pediatric nutrition and natural parenting challenges, a science writer and a mother. She left her chiropractic practice shortly after the birth of her son, when she was confronted with his serious health complications and astounded by the lack of accurate or helpful information from doctors or books. For her son's sake, she delved deeply into the scientific and medical literature to find answers, which led to further questions and some astonishing realizations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: BenBella Books (September 24, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935618105
• ISBN-13: 978-1935618102
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air among stacks of parenting books that say "check with your healthcare provider." March 4, 2011

By Vanessa Pruitt

Format:Paperback

The name of this book is a breath of fresh air among stacks of parenting books that say "check with your healthcare provider."

Susan Markel, pediatrician, certified lactation consultant, and attachment parenting specialist, confirms in her book 'What Your Pediatrician Doesn't Know Can Hurt Your Child' what millions of parents around the globe have learned through trial and error; Following the "doctor's orders" is just as likely to be damaging to your child's health as it is to be beneficial.

From the beginning of the book, Susan's emphasis is that you should seek to be as informed as possible about your choices and use your parental instincts rather than succumbing to cultural and authoritative pressures. This begins during pregnancy, when you make choices concerning the tests and procedures you will have and where you will give birth.

This is great to read before your baby is born; It starts off at the time of birth, mentioning the impact that birth has on your baby and briefly covers the common medical procedures that are done within the first hours and days of your baby's life.

But this book isn't just about medical procedures and doctor's appointments. Susan seeks to address the most crucial aspects of every baby and toddler's life including nutrition, bonding, sleep, and behavior.

She covers breastfeeding, baby-wearing, co-sleeping, communication, attachment, health, and natural remedies. She even guides you through the modern vaccination schedule and gives excellent advice on how to calmly speak to your doctor about delaying or even skipping vaccinations altogether.

What I really appreciate is Susan's boldness on such controversial topics. Throughout the book, she doesn't bother trying to be politically correct; Instead, she lays out the truth about the real risks of formula feeding, medications, and vaccinations, and quotes research of the enormous benefits of breastfeeding and attachment parenting.

If you're looking for your doctor's approval, this book is not for you. The concepts in this book are not the opinion of most doctors and pediatricians, and I can guarantee there will be plenty of raised eyebrows and shaking heads.

I find it amazing that Susan herself is a pediatrician. She spills a few secrets about the pediatric profession that may surprise you. One powerful quote by Susan rings true, "A mother's instincts are worth more than a medical degree."

Originally published at NaturalFamilyToday.com

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reference That You Can Hold November 8, 2010

By Veronica Falcao

Format:Paperback

Dr. Markel has clearly done her research about the complicated issues around newborn treatments and procedures. Her suggestions about the eye ointment and vitamin K will be very helpful to new parents in navigating this area.

As the title implies, this book is meant to be used in conjunction with the standard sort of book that covers breastfeeding, burping and diaper issues.

I love the fact that this book has a full chapter on birth-related issues but then gets to the heart of how parents can easily be their child's best advocate about all sorts of health issues. I especially like her treatment of fever and ear infections.

This may seem silly, but one of the things I like best about this book is the size. Many babycare books are either very thick or oversized in some other way. They're hard to handle, especially with a baby in one hand. This is a book that you can actually read while you're breastfeeding or cuddling baby, which is what this book is all about anyway.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable resource for new parents! October 29, 2010

By Jennifer A. McFarland

Format:Paperback

I am a homebirth midwife and just received a copy of this fabulous book. I will recommend it to all of my new moms and dads. I have long recommended Dr. Sears' books on parenting and pregnancy, and this one fits right in with that type of book. Much better than what to expect the first year, or what to expect the toddler years. This one gives evidence based insight and explains various vaccines, testing, and medical procedures and the pros and cons of each thing. It doesn't presume that doctors know it all and parents know nothing, it encourages parents to do their own research and to be their child's best advocate for their health. There is a heavy emphasis on eating right, moderate exposure to sunlight, co sleeping safely, breastfeeding, and healthy living. All in all, a wonderful book!