Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5

This book includes much of what your pediatrician would likely tell you, so it can save you a call--especially if your question comes up on the weekend or after hours. The book is organized by age and then has a section at the end for various illnesses and special situations. I think the best use of the book would be to read it front to back.However, I have tried to use it as a reference and I find the index nearly impossible to use. You have to know the right wording for what you're looking for and often in what age chapter it was discussed. Even so, the print and indentation make it hard to distinguish subsections of the index from main sections. For example, I wanted to know if my baby's bowel movements were normal and not diarrhea. "Bowel movement" might be near the beginning with the main section Bs, but it's also in the "First Months" subsection. Then you also have to look up diarrhea, and check every section of the index, too.I like this book because it is a book of facts and medical information and not so much philosophies of parenting, which you can get from books like "Sears's Baby Book".

My child's pediatrician gave me a copy of this book when we met him to discuss our care options even before my first son was born. It has been a source of valuable information many times over, both during the newborn days and now that my oldest is three. It offers a well-organized index for finding those obscure symptoms and has general information good for each age group. There are special, comprehensive sections for illnesses and other weird things (rashes, conditions and things I've never heard of) and has chapters solely on topics like preparing your firstborn for a sibling, raising a child with a disability, and discipline. My biggest gripe is that as the child gets older they offer less and less advice specific to age (for example they group 3-5 year olds in one section, and my 3 year-old does not behave like a 5 year-old). While I haven't agreed with every last piece of information in the book, when I'm in a pinch for "how-tos" when they are sick, this book has been worth it's weight in gold.

This book is a great reference tool. I'm definitely glad I purchased it. However it addresses a number of months at a time (ie, one chapter is dedicated to children ages 4-7 months). We all know how different a 4 month old is from a 7 month old, so if you are looking for a month by month guide, get "What to Expect the First Year." I own both books and consult them each for different things.

This is, by far, the best child care reference book out there. Even my pediatrician has it on their "Must Own" list. It covers everything, soup to nuts, that you would want to know. Baby sick? Use this book. Question about feeding? Use thi sbook. Question about ANYTHING? Use this book. My husband and I have already broken the binding! I started reading it in the hospital a few hours after my daughter was born and it even helped in the hospital (cleaning the cord, etc. -- you name it, they got it covered!). You can use it as a reference or read it chapter by chapter or by age. It's fantastic. I plan to give this as a gift to every new mom I know.

I received this book as a free gift when I signed up to publix kids program since then I have boought copies and gave them away. It is a great refernce and is easy to use. My doctor also recommended it as a good resource tool. Another great book is By Sears Baby book. This is even better. Amazon has the best price.

This book is great for the first year of life.After that, it tapers down A LOT in its' information, so I don't think it is necessarily a great title for the book "from birth to age 5", which is why I gave it 3 stars.It is a good reference book though.

This book is a lifesaver for new parents. So many times, before calling the pediatrician, I'd go to this book first, and it would ease my worries. It has a textbook like section describing each stage of development and what to expect, and another section is with symptoms and ailments. It is an indispensable tool in a home with small children.

I like the idea but, it's difficult to find what I'm looking for when I need it. I would recommend it, it has great information for any parent.