One of the most useful items to own as a new parent is a comprehensive book on children’s health.  The internet and well-meaning friends and families do not always have their facts straight.  A reference manual can help decide when there is a cause for concern or not. We were sent a copy of The A to Z of Children’s Health: A Parent’s Guide from Birth to 10 Years to review.

An indispensable reference which is sure to become the go-to health and wellness guide for parents. This comprehensive and contemporary guide is written by the pediatric experts at the world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). It goes without saying that no one understands kids or relates to parents better than these extraordinary experts. It covers over 235 childhood conditions and illnesses in children ages newborn to ten in a friendly yet authoritative manner. Parents will find all the valuable information they need to better understand and manage their child’s health concerns. All the illnesses are arranged alphabetically by “Condition & Care” — making it easy, quick and accessible for parents — for those situations when time really is of the essence. Parents will find expert advice on how to cope with everything from common accidents and emergencies that occur in childhood, to information on the nature of the many conditions that can affect their child. Most importantly, they get answers to three questions: 1) what is the condition, 2) what might happen as a result of the condition, and 3) how should the problem be treated? Some of the topics covered include:

• Fever, headaches and migraine, asthma, abdominal pain
• Croup, failure to thrive, thumb sucking and nail biting, night terrors
• Heart murmurs, infective endocarditis, measles, mumps and rubella
• Rheumatic fever, spina bifida, tonsillitis and strep throat
• Down syndrome, head lice, separation anxiety, shingles.

There are photographs and diagrams featured throughout the book, making it easy for parents to accurately pinpoint what potential condition and/or illness their child may be experiencing. An extensive glossary of terms combined with a well-organized index complete this valuable guide.

This book’s layout is easy to use and informative.  It even has graphic photos of what breastmilk mustard poo looks like and meconium!

This book gives practical advice, as expected, such as babies only require breastmilk the first six months of their life but may need a vitamin D supplement. From bedwetting to Autism Spectrum Disorders, the breadth of topics covered is full.

I may not agree with every statement, but it is a good solid book with advice and information to help parents as their child grows.

There is no information under the speech and language problems about my son’s condition childhood apraxia of speech. I find that a little surprising.  There is also no mention of congenital heart conditions.    There is a section on strabismus…one out of three ain’t bad.

Thankfully, celiac’s disease is included (something you won’t find in older manuals).

There is a lot of good information in The A to Z of Children’s Health: A Parent’s Guide from Birth to 10 Years, and I especially appreciate the photographs like the ones demonstrating how to treat a choking child.  It seems to give good, classic, cautious advice.

This is not an alternative medicine manual, but I think it is important to consult books like this one to make an educated choice about treatment options for your child.  It also helps to be informed when you talk to the pediatrician.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.