Review and #giveaway - The Portable Pediatrician

I am pleased to be reviewing The Portable Pediatrician: Everything You Need to Know About Your Child's Health


Product Description
The Portable Pediatrician: Everything You Need to Know About Your Child's HealthImagine you are up at three o'clock in the morning with a sick child. Wouldn't it be nice to have expert advice readily at hand to help get you through the night? Encyclopedic in scope, The Portable Pediatrician
features timely and practical information on every childhood illness and emergency, including when to call the doctor, what reassuring signs can help you know your child is okay, how to treat your child at home, and much more-all in a convenient A-to-Z format. Among the scores of topics covered: 

teething; sprains and broken bones; nosebleeds; measles; ear infections; choking; rashes; colic; headaches; eating disorders; fever; hip pain; warts; allergies; obesity; seizures; Asperger's Syndrome; bronchitis; masturbation; sunburns; pneumonia; speech delay; lice; vomiting; asthma; heart defects; blisters; sleep problems; and more.

The Searses guide parents and caregivers from a child's infancy through the teen years, teaching them what to expect at regular checkups as well as how to boost a child's well-being, devise a family health plan, work effectively with their pediatrician, and more. Distinguished by the Searses' trademark comprehensiveness, reliability, and accessible, comforting one, this book is a must-have for all families who want to keep their children healthy and happy.

My Review
Whether you are a new parent or an experienced one, The Portable Pediatrician
 is a fabulous resource for you to get to know what is going on when your children aren't well.  Sometimes you just know that something isn't right, but you don't want to jump to the conclusion that you need to head to the emergency room, or even make an appointment with your pediatrician, and that's where this book in invaluable.  
It is laid out in an easy to follow and easy to understand way - Drs. Sears have taken some of the most complex and even some of the most simple medical information you need as a parent and put it into easy to understand language and it gives you insight into how to proceed with your little one...
It's also a great resource when you're headed to the doctor for well visits - actually I have to say that this is my favorite part of the book - for instance, it gives me a full range of details for Erik's upcoming 4 month check up - Growth milestones, what the physical exam will include, nutrition information and additional general health and parenting issues to be aware of, as well as development, safety and vaccines info...  Many of the things I remember from Liam's first few check ups, but it's a great refresher for me - and will give me insight through their teens... including Robyn's next few years at the pedi.
Another area I checked out almost immediately is the section on rashes - Erik is my first child to routinely be plagued by a variety of rashes and this gives me some good insights into what I'm looking at... and tells me what level of action I should take - from rushing to the emergency room if it might be meningitis to simply eliminating potential allergens for an allergic reaction, this book lays it all out - and then also gives you links for further reading by directing you back to specific topics, like insect bites. 
If you're not a pediatrician or don't live next door to one, The Portable Pediatrician
 is a valuable resource and should be tucked away on your shelf for easy access!  
About the Author
William Sears, MD, and Martha Sears, RN, are the pediatric experts on whom American parents increasingly rely for advice and information on all aspects of pregnancy, birth, childcare, and family nutrition. Dr. Sears has practiced pediatrics for more than 40 years, and is an associate clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Martha Sears is a registered nurse and parenting and health consultant. Robert W. Sears, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in private practice in southern California. James Sears, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors. Peter Sears, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in family practice in Nashville, TN.
The Giveaway
Rules:
  • Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents only, No PO Boxes.
  • Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the title.
  • Mandatory Entry must be completed before other entries count.
  • Each entry must be made as a SEPARATE COMMENT
  • Giveaway will end on March 8, 2011 at 11:59 PM and the winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Acting Balanced and contacted by email.
  • The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.


Mandatory Entry:
Tell me why you want to win this giveaway.

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"I want to #WIN The Portable Pediatrician from @chascouponmom  #giveaway ends 3/8"

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of completing this review.  All opinions are my own.