Baby Matters: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby (Paperback)

~ Linda F. Palmer (Author) "TODAY, MANY OF THE PROBLEMS PARENTS HAVE WITH THEIR BABIES are linked to new parenting and feeding techniques that have been implemented during the recent..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Zealand, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Osteoporosis Foundation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...her comments are well-substantiated by very impressive and extensive scientific citations." -- Rosalind C. Haselbeck, Ph.D., Biochemist, Biology Instructor, Doula

"A sophisticated professional, yet she understands the needs of ordinary families with a new baby." -- A. Christine Watson, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

"A viewpoint different from what I was taught in school...seems much healthier." -- V. Paul Kater, M.D., Family Practice

"A well thought-out book..." -- Adrian M. Jaffer, M.D., F.A.C.P., Practicing in Allergy and Rheumatology

"Baby Matters is a well-referenced compendium of information from highly authoritative sources..." -- George J. Pratt, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Author of Instant Emotional Healing

"Baby Matters was invaluable to me in dealing with my baby's pediatrician..." -- Sandra Seastedt, M.F.C.C.

"Covering a very broad range of problems relating to nutrition of babies as well as the psychology of baby care..." -- David B. Gordon Ph.D., Physiologist, Author of Milk and Mortality --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Baby Matters is a groundbreaking new book from a mother with both rigorous scientific training and an extensive alternative health background. Dr. Linda Palmer exhaustively lists the scientific evidence behind natural, attachment parenting, breastfeeding, immune support, and food allergies. She brings the truth behind colic, SIDS, ADHD, and cowÕs milk, and shows the harm incurred by ÒmodernÓ pediatric, science-conquering-nature practices.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 403 pages
• Publisher: Baby Reference (March 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975317008
• ISBN-13: 978-0975317006
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,141,412 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of evidence for AP (though not without bias, December 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Baby Matters, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby (Paperback)

Would give it 4.5 stars if I could. Palmer reviews the available evidence (from actual medical and psychology journals) for parenting decisions like breastfeeding, cosleeping, food choices, and the like. She also discusses why medically you should be very responsive to your baby and avoid following the current fad recommendation to cry-it-out. She reinforces why sleeping through the night, while a wonderful thing that all parents hope for, may NOT be the best thing for your baby.

Evidence-based medicine in parenting books is a rare thing. For that alone, you should read Palmer's book. Her only drawback is that she definitely writes from her own biases, so you can't look at this as a systematic review of all the literature. Also, she occasionally goes a little too far with her conclusions (an association does not equal a cause, etc.)

I highly recommend this book.

a physician (non-pediatrician) in Virginia

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is truly a valuable resource., August 14, 2002

By	Melanie Wilson "vegetarianbabydotcom" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Baby Matters, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby (Paperback)

So your know-it-all cousin chides that your baby's being spoiled by all that attention. Last time you talked, she disapproved of prolonged breastfeeding. What'll it be next? Don't you wish you had some scientific evidence to back up your choices? Well, now you do. Dr. Linda Folden Palmer's book, Baby Matters, exhaustively lists the scientific evidence behind attachment parenting, breastfeeding, and the reality of food allergies. With chapters such as, "The Attachment Advantage," "Bonding: the Inside Story," " Crying & Caring," and "The Dangers of Cow's Milk," Dr. Palmer shows how the establishment of science-conquering-nature has caused unnecessary suffering and heartache to parents and babies alike. Leaving babies to "cry it out," forcing them to sleep alone, giving them formula instead of breastfeeding, ignoring possible food allergies, and indiscriminate vaccination have all resulted in alarming SIDS rates, aggressiveness, emotional detachment and physical illness. Not to be accused of selectively culling sources, Palmer evenhandedly discusses vaccines, for example, deflating the overblown cons and discussing the details of what the research really shows. This is truly a valuable resource for attachment parents, and perhaps if you gave it to your cousin at her baby shower, she might just learn a thing or two. What you (and your great grandma) knew in your heart was right all alongit simply took some time for our society to catch up. Reviewed by Regina Cassidy

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic. A must-read for all parents, January 24, 2002

By	Catherine Allison Granju "www.locoparentis.bl... (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Baby Matters, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Caring for Your Baby (Paperback)

Dr. Palmer's book is the best book on the hard science behind attachment parenting that I've ever read. I plan to make it a baby gift for every pregnant friend. I wish I had read this book before I became a mother. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's the most exciting new book on parenting that I've read in a number of years.

Katie Allison Granju ~ author of "ATTACHMENT PARENTING: INSTINCTIVE CARE FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD" (Pocket Books/1999)