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Books about Raising and Treating Children Nauturally

Randall Neustaedter OMD

The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two by William Sears MD and Martha Sears RN (Little, Brown and Company, 2003, $21.95, 704 pages) One of the best how-to baby books with a baby-centered approach to promoting attachment. All of Dr. Sears's books encourage a natural and healthy lifestyle. I also recommend his Pregnancy Book, Birth Book, Breastfeeding Book, and Family Nutrition Book. Be warned that his medical advice follows established, conventional pediatrician guidelines.

Natural Family Living by Peggy O'Mara (Pocket Books, 2000, $17.95, 372 pages) contains a wealth of information about the distinctive style of parenting promoted by Mothering Magazine, Ms. O'Mara's publication. She briefly discusses alternative medicine for children, but the majority of the book is devoted to psychological and developmental issues. She includes no specific information about treating medical problems.

Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child: A Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Infants and Children by Janet Zand OMD and Robert Rountree MD (Avery Publishing Group, 2003, $23.95, 544 pages). This book contains extended discussions of each symptom or disease in alphabetic order with corresponding conventional and alternative treatment methods (homeopathy, herbs, and acupressure). The discussions of each ailment are complex with no clear or concise recommendations for treatment.

Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines by Dana Ullman and Stephen Cummings (JP Tarcher, 1997, $16.95, 374 pages), and Homeopathic Medicine for Children & Infants by Dana Ullman (JP Tarcher, 1992, $13.95, 256 pages). The classics for quick homeopathic prescribing for acute ailments.

All Kinds of Minds and The Myth of Laziness by Mel Levine (Simon & Schuster, 2003, $14.00 and $26.00). These two books set forth Dr. Levine's now famous approach to learning problems that involves identifying children's strengths and weaknesses in learning skills and fostering self-esteem by focusing on their strengths. Parents can identify children's learning styles and help them overcome learning differences. The sequel identifies children's "output problems" that often lead to avoidance behaviors and the label of laziness.

Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron (F.J. Roberts Pub., 1998, 608 pages, $19.95) Full of valuable advice about the introduction of solid foods through the toddler years. Emphasis is on organic foods and a vegetarian diet.