Taking Care of Your Child: A Parent's Illustrated Guide to Complete Medical Care

by Robert H. Pantell, James Fries, Donald Vickery

More than one million families already use Taking Care of Your Child to help keep their children healthy. A completely revised and updated edition of this award-winning book, this sixth edition gives parents clear, practical advice on feeding, medicines, doctor visits, discipline, and all other aspects of raising a healthy child.Taking Care of Your Child is easy to use, even in a crisis. From injuries and allergies, to childhood diseases and everyday worries, simply look up a symptom and find a complete explanation of probable causes, how serious they might be, and how a parent might quickly relieve a child's problem at home. Easy-to-follow decision charts show readers exactly when to see a doctor. Covering more than 100 common complaints with especially clear advice on handling emergencies, Taking Care of Your Child is the health guide every parent should have on hand.

Genres: Parenting, Reference, Health, Nonfiction

524 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Ashley Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the idea of this book: enabling parents to determine when to treat their children at home, see a doctor, or go to the emergency room. Each medical scenario features a neat workflow diagram and easy-to-follow instructions. Some basic first aid info is also provided.

A good portion of the book is devoted to basic health information for parents from pregnancy through adolescence. While this info is helpful, some of it was outdated or overly-simplistic. For more complete information on nursing, I recommend "The Nursing Mother's Companion," and for eating and nutrition, I recommend "Baby-Led Weaning."

However, if you're looking for a book to help you know what to do in a given medical crisis with your child, Taking Care of Your Child is a great resource to keep on your shelf.

(I read the 9th edition of this book.)

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free from the Ford Family Foundation | Half excellent, half needs updates | 9th edition, published 2015. The second half of the book, which is straightforward "check symptoms, follow flowchart to determine how to treat them" is great, and it's why I will be providing this to a kinship guardian I work with. The first half of the book, though, feels its decade of aging and more. Safe messaging on suicide ("died by" not "committed", non-judgmental phrasing, etc) pre-dates the publication of this edition, but they chose not to use it. The book doesn't seem to acknowledge that LGBTQ+ people exist, either in the sections covering a youth's sexual development or as parents themselves. There's just quite a bit of room for improvement in the whole front section, but as I say, the direct care guide looks great.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been through multiple editions since it was originally published but I'd happily buy a new edition for a first baby shower. This one made caring for our little ones much more understandable.

[Maissaa Zahran · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK this book is not the type you read from cover to cover, it is more of a reference book, which is great. It also covers every topic/issue one can think of or come across, which is also great. It only deserved 3 stars because of the level of coverage; it addresses every topic only on a very basic level without going in depth, so if you know a little about something and need more this is not the book to go to. Part IV of the book is a very good and practical tool as it guides a parent through illness and injury and directs one to the proper course of action, and for that part I would recommend this book.

So in short, this book is a good reference and a great starting point to children's health issues but it certainly isn't enough on its own.

[Teresa TL Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This "mom's medical reference" book is user friendly. Body systems are grouped together and individual symptoms are listed in the index. Flow-chart questions guide a parental ignorance and paranoia in the right direction, with solutions ranging from "apply home treatment" (with instructions) to "make appointment with physician" to "see physician today" to "see physician NOW!"

This remains one of the most-used gifts from my first daughter's baby shower. I STILL consult it from time to time!

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

{July 29, 2016}
A really good reference for identifying childhood illnesses and symptoms, with instructions for home remedies, when to see the doctor and what to expect from him regarding the illness. I've thumbed through this many a time in the wee hours of the night while caring for a sick kid--VERY helpful.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

For every patient who comes in bringing their kid with something they could have looked up I wish I had a copy of this book to give them. You can fish for a man and feed him for a day, or you can give him a book on fishing and hope he stops asking you. HEHEHEH

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful book.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't actually finished it. I have thumbed through it and it looks like it is primarily designed for reference and not actual casual linear reading. Looks pretty thorough and up to date.

[Cws]

618.92 Pan

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice resource to have on-hand. Full of a variety of medically relevant topical helps for parents. Easy to read without being condescending.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very informative. I relied on it a lot for my first child. I find myself re-reading passages. And the neat thing is this book covers adolence as well.

[Krystal Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to have on hand.

[Alicia Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very helpful and easy to read. I'm sure I'll pick it up again every time I have a question about my baby's health.