How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Dr. Robert Mendelsohn is a must-have book. After receiving a copy from a friend, I now give it to ALL parents I know. Especially new ones, but even those on their second or third child. It is THAT important.

Although this book was written some time ago, it is incredibly relevant and taught me so much. Namely to take control of my son's health (and our family's health) and to relax about it. I know controlling and relaxing sound quite opposite, but it is the case here. I remember when my son had a "cold" at 8 weeks, I practically could not sleep I was so nervous. (I say cold in italics, because it was really nothing more than a slight stuffy nose). I probably brought him to the doctor about 3 times over the course of the 3 days he was sick- and for what? Not only did I need to take control of the fact that he had a cold, but I needed to relax because it was no big deal and stress was definitely not helping him get better! See what I mean?

This book teaches you to identify illnesses and helps you treat them at home. That way, you do not have to go to the doctor's office where you child is apt to pick up more germs, deal with a doctor who doles out medicine even when your child does not need it (if you have a doctor like that) which usually just makes things worse and waste a copay! I enjoyed Dr. Mendelsohn's detailing of what doctors learn in medical school and the influences of big pharma- it gives you an honest and wide perspective of orthodox health care and what it means for your child.

In addition, there were so many facts and tidbits about illnesses that I never knew and that most doctors will not tell you. Did you know that our bodies have an automatic feature which never allows fevers (which are actually GOOD for you when you are sick- not to be suppressed by Tylenol) to reach a dangerous point? The only fevers that are dangerous and could go too high are those brought on by an external factor like heat stroke, food poisoning, or chemical exposure. Fevers brought on by illness are immune system activators- now that is something I never knew because most people bring out the Tylenol for their kids as soon as the temperature reaches 102F or the like, under the auspices that the fever might "get too high". And that's only ONE new thing I learned :)

All I have to say is what an eye-opener! You will feel well-armed with this book. LOVE it.

http://www.amazon.com/Raise-Healthy-Child-Spite-Doctor/dp/0345342763

...I am hoping to read more of Dr. Mendelsohn's books - he has written other titles that look very provocative.