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151 of 158 found the following review helpful:
 This doc was a brave pioneer!!Jan 11, 2003
By 70's Girl
"Born to Talk"
I love this book. It is the first book that I ever read on alternative views to children's health and it left me wanting to read even more on the subject. I am an R.N. and know that we parents should not just blindly put our trust in our pediatricians. We need to read to educate ourselves and take an active part in our children's health--that is what Dr. Mendelsohn tries to tell us. We take our children to the doctor and give them all sorts of medicines for every little thing when we can handle lots of stuff ourselves at home--safely. Fevers in themselves are not to be feared, they are a normal part of illness in children (NOT INFANTS). He said this years ago and now I am even starting to read it in the mainstream press. If you like everything neat and normal, don't buy this book. If you like a book that lays all the cards on the table, dares to be different and makes you think, YES buy this book. Because of this book, I have found a doctor who allows me to be part of my children's healthcare not just tells me what to do and expects me to blindly follow it. Dr. Mendelsohn was a respected physician up until his death and dared to be different before alternative medicine was cool.
86 of 89 found the following review helpful:
Don't Pass This One By!Aug 14, 2000
All responsible parents and parents-to-be will want to hear the other side of the story when it comes to standard pediatric practices. Dr. Mendelsohn gives a thorough introduction to making INFORMED decisions about your child's health in this consise, down-to-earth manual."How to Raise a Healthy Child" does two very important things. First, it gives parents information about common childhood behavior, illnesses and accidents so that they can treat their child at home when possible and can discern when medical help is necessary. Second, it warns parents about questionable practices and attitudes common in the medical community. It is important for parents to realize, though, that the book is a little dated and that some things have changed for the better (for example, pediatrics does not seem to be as formula-happy as it once was and now favors natural breast feeding). However, some things are as bad as ever or even worse (a respected private hospital near me has close to a 50% C-section rate when research shows that 95% of births are uneventful if allowed to take their natural course). The greatest benefit of this book is that it will give you the frame of mind needed to make safe judgement calls when a doctor tells you you "must" do such-and-such for your child. In the end, you may wish to do further research before making final decisions about things like vaccines, which seems to be a very emotional issue for some. For example, one reviewer here referred to the author as "biased" against vaccines but only refuted the least relevant point made in the book, ingnoring several others; this made me wonder whether the reviewer is biased in favor of vaccines. Parents should read various books and articles, pro and con, before making such choices. (By the way, questions about vaccines are mounting in the vetrinary community as well.) "How to Raise a Healthy Child" ought to be in every parent's library. It can save you heartache and money and can save your child needless (and sometimes dangerous) medical treatment.
52 of 55 found the following review helpful:
This book is a must have for parentsAug 16, 1999
This book will teach you the signs to look for in an illness, when to call the Dr. and when to let the illness run it's course. The author, a pediatrician for almost 30 years has a drug free approach and believes the body has the ability to heal itself in most cases. He teaches parents the influence DRUG COMPANIES have over most pediatric practices and how to avoid Drs. who tend to over-prescribe. His advice on immunizations, asthma, earaches, allergies and breastfeeding is fabulous. This book has helped my family enormously. I've given this book as a gift and have been thanked many times over for it. It's a must have for any new parent, parent or grandparent. EXCELLENT.
46 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Good for those who ask questions..May 29, 2003
This book is full of wonderful advice. I first got it almost three years ago when my son was an infant. I loaned it to a friend and never got it back.. As a child, I had all kinds of childhood illnesses, and my mother would take me to the doctor for every little thing. I had a LOT of ear infections, and they always gave me antibiotics, which actually made me more prone to getting sick and having even MORE ear infections. I'm glad I read this book, because it basically tells you that you don't always need all the antibiotics, vaccinations and various medications to treat everything. He lists the side effects and complications that can and do happen from blindly listening to your doctor. When my son has a fever, flu, or cold, I don't even think about going to the doctor, and he's been one of the healthiest kids I know. I also don't get him vaccinated, as the pediatrition bullied me into it when he was four months old, and my son got very sick as a result. He said these were "normal reactions", but I think if vaccinations and medications cause a baby to convulse, have a high fever, and vomit, then we need to rethink these vaccinations and medications! My dad, who is now 61, never had an immunization as a child. He had measles, mumps, whooping cough, and just about every other child-hood illness you can imagine. He, and millions of other people, survived just fine, but a lot of doctors will want to scare you anyway. There are some people who are very angry at this book because it tells you to think for yourself. It tells you the truth about these important issues, and a lot of people would rather blindly believe the government and their doctors, who by the way recieve government and pharmacutical funding to push these drugs. This is a very informative read, and should be read by anyone who prefers to trust their instincts, think for themselves, and make their own decisions!
46 of 52 found the following review helpful:
Dr. Mendelsohn dares to tell the truthAug 16, 2004
By Fruit Loop
This physician gives you the truths hidden by a medical profession more interested in profit than real health. Homebirthing is truthfully depicted as safer than hospital birth with its constant interventions into what should be a natural process, and the REAL RISKS of "preventive" medicine such as vaccinations. Those of us who were injured by "just in case" medical procedures and parents of child victims finally have the documentation from a real doctor to back up our convictions. Every new parent should read this book.
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