Infant-and-Toddler-Development Books

We are exposed to thousands of chemicals in furniture, clothes, cleaning products, air, food, water. For babies' sensitive, developing bodies these chemicals can pose life long developmental problems and introduce illness and disease. There are many choices you can make as a parent to reduce and eliminate your child's exposure to harmful chemicals and this book shares those. Most are simple choices like choosing non-toxic paints and using natural household cleaners. Others, like paying a little more to buy an organic mattress to avoid the harmful fire retardant chemicals (recently banned in California) on conventional mattresses, may seem harder. But what wouldn't you do to protect the health and well-being of the most precious person in your life? I'd do anything with in my ability.

This book has been a constant reference for me since having my baby. It's an invaluable resource. If your pregnant or planning a baby, buy it now.

I did not find the information in this book to be accurate or helpful.

Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet, presents Guide to Natural Baby Care by Mindy Pennybacker Aisha Ikramuddin. 4 out of 5 Stars!!

Overall, I found it to be a fantastic read, enjoyed the layout, and the freedom from seeing naked, or semi naked pregnate ladies. The book mentioned alot of things and this is the book that can go with you during your prengancy and after. It goes over designing a baby room, choosing products for your baby, and how to take care of the baby (i.e. bath, change diaper, etc).

I did find it to fall short in the area of "alternative" parenting or "village" parenting wherein the children are encouraged to sleep with the parents, have only breast milk, carrying a baby in a wrap/syrong, raising vegan children, etc etc, but aside from all of this, I'd recommend the book and I would purchase it myself.

I am not to good with words but this book is great for anyone that loves their child as well as the environment. It has websites all through the book if you want to buy some eco-friendly products. I really enjoyed this book and have learned alot from it.

While this book does have many resources for parents trying to incorporate non-toxic and environmentally-friendly practices into their parenting, it assumes a very traditional Western approach to parenting, one in which one of the biggest jobs new parents face is acquiring the right STUFF to parent. Although there is a lot of information on cribs, there are few recommendations for parents who might want to co-sleep or have a family bed, such as three-sided cribs that attach to the parent's bed, or equipment to make the family bed safer. The book presents the pros and cons of cloth diapers vs. disposables but does not mention anything about natural infant hygiene or elimination communication. Even the cloth diaper section is pretty skimpy, about a page and a half. Nor is there much information on baby carrying and wearing products, such as the huge variety of fabric slings now available.

It's not that parents who want to protect the enviroment need to adopt all of these practices, but a book that is supposed to offer 'safe, practical and affordable baby care' for 'a livable planet' should at least mention some of these options in some depth and help make parents aware of them. This seems especially important in that these choices will determine what and how much you need to buy for your baby. If you plan to keep your baby in the same room or bed with you, you won't need worry about stripping lead paint in the baby's room. If you plan to use an infant potty after naps, you may not need to invest in a changing table. If you wear your baby in a sling for most of her first 18 months of life, you may not need a stroller, bassinett, playpen, walker or rocker.

Use this book as a helpful guide to finding good, natural baby products once you've researched the most eco-friendly parenting practices (somewhere else).

Evaluate your child's personality before buying this. I have heard that it works like a charm for other kids, but my daughter is just too active and direct intervention works better than time-outs. I do like its main message--don't let your kids walk all over you and don't be afraid to discipline (positively, not spanking). If you feel your child will respond to time-outs, this is a good resource. However, I found the Positive Discipline series to be more effective for my child.

This audio cassette is a wonderful, no-nonsense approach to child-rearing. The narrators have soothing, pleasant voices and know what they are talking about. There is no better way to deal with children than this way: I have 2 children that strike awe in others because of how well-behaved they are (ages 3 years and 16 months). I also have a 14 year old step-daughter who is wonderful and mindful, and who has been raised the "love and logic" way. The only way you are going to be "insulted" by this audio cassette (as another reviewer implied) is if you recognize yourself in the anecdotes and are defensive about it. If this is so, perhaps some therapy of your own will help you learn why you waste energy being defensive of parenting practices that don't work, instead of being open enough to try common-sense stategies that will help you be the best parent you can be.

If you find yourself becoming frustrated with your little one, these tapes are for you. As a teacher I know Cline and Fay's methods work, I have no doublt they will also help me raise my son. These first years are critical and I want to do everything I can to help him be a responsible person and a delight to be around. I know you want the same for your child. I truly think you will be pleased if you listen to these tapes and give their ideas a try.

Not sure what B. Beaux was talking about. I am an agnostic so I am pretty aware of that kind of thing. I was also a teacher. Not only does Love and Logic work in the classroom but it does amazing things with my kids. I have 2 toddlers and I think the Love and Logic books and videos are an indespensible resource. It seems to me that the previous reviewer was just looking for a forum to rant about something totally unrelated to these books. He also wasn't reviewing this book - I guess some people will actually mislead people to try and get their voice heard. If click on "see my other reviews" under his name you will see that he has reviewed every book in the Love and Logic series with this rhetoric that is based on complete ignorance. Charles Fay and Foster Cline (founders of Love and Logic) are from Evergreen Colorado - not Colorado Springs and have nothing to do with the whole "family first" thing. There is no affiliation whatsoever. Again, not sure what the other reviewer was talking about - but it is a shame that he may turn people away from a resource that is the most effective tool I have come across to raise children who are responsible, able to make choices effectively, have great self-esteem, and to avoid all the arguments and power struggles that come with parenting.

This cassette seems mostly to reiterate the strategies in the Parenting with Love and Logic book. It gave minimum strategies and often made fun of common parenting mistakes. This cassette could be quite insulting if you have a difficult toddler.

This book is so easy to read and informative. It's not lengthy and all the information is pertinent. Out of all the other pregnancy books I have, this is the only one that's 100% practical. It's tailored mostly for the 2nd trimester and beyond, and is a no-nonsense guide about what you probably do and don't need as far as nursery and feeding items go. It also has a good bibliography and checklists of things to do and shop for throughout your pregnancy. It helped me out a lot with shopping and registering for gifts so far. I don't think it's biased at all...and I'm very sensitive to that because our pregnancy is a special situation and we can't and won't be able to do all the things "normal parents" do. The author definitely understands that there are cases (like premature or sick babies) that won't be able to adhere to the "natural birth-breastfeed and bond in your room right away" model. I recommend it because it would be useful to anyone.

I found some helpful information in this book, but I did not feel it was very comprehensive.

When my friend found out she was pregnant she was happy, but also an emotional mess-- it's a stressful situation! I stumbled on this book and gave it to her, and she's used it as her bible as she gets ready for her new baby. This author knows what she's talking about, and she's very good at telling exactly what you need for your baby and, most importantly, what you DON'T need. This is the only book I know that's so practical. There are lots of touchy-feely books out there to prepare you for motherhood, but no other to help you make the tough practical and financial decisions. I think this book is amazing. I wish it had been there for me!

I felt this book had too much of a lean toward childbirth without anesthetic (among other biases) to bother finishing. However, I did feel the lists at the beginning of the book were helpful in deciding what things are necessities and when. As a new mom, we might get caught up in all the fancy products on the market we see in the magazines and it is nice to know there is a resource out there discussing what are needs and what are merely wants.

I have never written a review on Amazon before, but this book compelled me to do so because I have found it so helpful. While I agree with the reviewer who said the book is biased (Huggins' preferences for breastfeeding, natural birth, etc. come out loud and clear), it is still an incredibly useful resource for someone like me--a first-time mom who knows absolutely nothing! I have no younger siblings, rarely babysat, and just generally have not spent much time around infants, so I'm going into parenthood with a totally blank slate. For this reason, I've been looking for someone or something that could tell me what is necessary to do and buy and what is not. (Prior to reading it, I couldn't have told you what a "layette" or a "bumper" was, and I certainly would not have known what to do with a "nasal aspirator.") Registering for my baby shower made me realize how saturated the market is with all kinds of gadgets that scream "buy me!" but personally, I can't afford to buy out the baby section at Target. And I'm not so hypnotized by marketing that I believe I need it all. Huggins breaks down not only what products are necessary for your baby's care, but also what might be better to borrow than to buy. She also offers suggestions for making or doing things yourself instead of paying for them (breast pads, for instance, cut out of diapers)--welcome advice for anyone on a budget! The book is recent enough (2006) that its information on actual products, name brands, etc. is totally up-to-date, a fact I also appreciated. I highly recommend this book for sorting through all the overwhelming purchasing and planning decisions, big and small, you will face as you prepare for parenthood.

If you are looking for a way to get your child to sleep, this is the book for you. Parents are always complaining that the worst time of day is night time and getting their child to sleep. Dr. Wilkoff's book teaches you, the parent, how to teach your child sleep independence. It's very easy reading and lays everything out for simple understanding. He includes a chart that tells how much sleep your child needs at what age. It's takes a stern and committed heart but the rewards are wonderful. I have a 13 month old who loves his bed and I rarely fight with him to go to sleep. Sometimes he even perfers to be in his crib when he is tired. Now when other parents are complaining about their child's bed time, usually 10:00 or 10:30pm, I tell them about this book. It's not only good for newborns and infants but for teenagers and adults as well. Everyone can benefit from this book. I heard about this book from my sister. Dr. Wilkoff is my niece and nephew's pediatrician. She also followed this book and her children are wonderful sleepers and because of their sleep habits they are performing very well in school. You will be very satisfied. Not for the weak hearted. On occasion you will have to hear your child cry, but teaching good sleep habits now will benefit them in the long run.

This was on sale at a local bargain bookstore. I was able to read the whole thing in less than two days, and I was impressed with the author's knowledge about the subject. I must say, more than any other book I have read, he seems to pinpoint many of the symptoms of sleep loss and the general seriousness of it. I have one twin that is a terrible sleeper, and this book described her problems with complete accuracy. I agree with the author that it's a serious problem that can add so many other difficulties to your family life that might not even occur to you are related.

One of the most important things he points out is that just because your friends are putting their kids to bed at 9pm, doesn't mean it's right for your child. In fact, they probably shouldn't be doing it, either. He includes charts on how much sleep kids actually need to help give you some idea.

I have also read the No Cry Sleep Solution books (including the toddler version). I would recommend those as companions to this book, as those books have more examples of actual techniques.

I have made a mistake by buying this book as an ebook.
You can't print it, can't copy or paste from it, can't put it onto another computer, and worse I have paid almost twice as much $$, the paper version is: $

I wish I had found this book when my son was younger. Instead, I wasted time feeling guilty when Dr. Weisbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby" told me my baby wouldn't cry if only I would get my timing "perfect" or fretted when Dr. Jodi Mindell's book told me I absolutely could not nurse my six month old right before bed. Maybe my exhaustion with all the other "expert" baby sleep books is the reason why I appreciated this book so much. I found it, first of all, a very organized straightforward book. It laid out EXACTLY how much sleep babies need by age, and it gave very simple advice on how to achieve those sleep needs. And, frankly, I found the author's willingness to acknowledge that sleep training is going to result in some crying to be a refreshing change of pace from Weisbluth's coy allusions to catching your baby's "wave" of tiredness, and "surfing" him to a cry free sleep. Obviously, if you are put off by any "crying it out" references, you are not going to be crazy about this book. But I found it straighforward, simple,and organized.

As a sleep researcher and educator I am always looking for simply written "how to" books based on strong empirical evidence. Dr. Wilkoff knows what he is talking about and covers all the bases. Want to avoid unnecessarily cranky children? Want to live with a happy youngster who is fully alert all day long? Want to be a better parent? Read this book!

I was excited to receive this book but quickly became disappointed. The more I read, the more nervous it made me about all the possibly bad effects of introducing this or that food to my baby. It's very conservative in nature, often suggesting you delay giving foods that most others (my pediatrician, other cookbooks, common wisdom) tell you are fine. I was also disappointed to find very few recipes that I wanted to cook. It's still sitting on my shelf, basically unused.

Great reference for feeding natural, healthy whole foods to your baby. It does not, however, follow others' advice on foods that aren't recommended to be made at home. Baby food manufacturers remove nitrates from root vegetables such as carrots, which you cannot do at home, but this book has receipes for these foods. Need another reference, but overall a good book.

I had decided a long time before having a baby to make my own food. I have been doing internet research and talking to a lot of moms about what they did (including my own!), and finally went to the store and randomly bought this book to get started. What a surprise - this book had literally everything I needed.

I was very impressed with all the information besides recipes. It really gives a lot of information about starting solids, allergies and what foods to wait on. Every stage first has a summary of what you can introduce into your child's diet and then an additional chapter of just recipes. Being new to the whole baby food world, this information was great and also very up to date. I have been comparing this book's recommendations to other book's recipes as a guideline. The recipes provided are simple and easy. The book also has a lot of international ideas and recipes using items I wouldn't think of buying, but am really glad I did after.

Now I do have a few minor complaints. One is that some recipes call for items that are hard to find. For example, when I decided to make rice cereal it called for adding "kombu" which is a type of seaweed. I was able to find some at a local asian grocery store, but I would think in other areas this might be difficult to find. The book does include a list of websites where these unusual items can be bought.
Also some of the directions for the recipes can be a little too general for a noncook like myself. For example when I started cooking my first recipe (rice cereal) it said for it to simmer for 90 minutes. Well I didn't realize that I should be stirring this occasionally and a lot got stuck to the bottom. Afterwards I was like, "duh" but I guess when I follow I recipe I appreciate all the details.

Overall this book was great and I know I am going to totally wear mine out as I try more and more recipes from it. If you are just beginning the solids experience and want a comprehensive book that includes recipes and other important information, look no further!

I was searching relentlessly for a book about making your own baby food since that's what I've always wanted to do. I always try to get everything organic for my little girl. I've been just buying the gerber organic first foods and that's a good second choice for me, but I would love to make my own. I am a stay at home mom for the most part, but I do not cook at all! (Strange, I know!) Making baby food is going to be a big thing for me! :o)

The recipes in other books were overwhelming to me as they were quite complicated and required a lot of what I would call more advanced cooking skills and of course, ingredients that I've never even eaten before. Almost a little too extravagant of a gourmet for a baby, I would think!

The recipes in this book are very simple, yet there are a some with a higher level of difficulty with rarer ingredients that would entice more advanced cooks to try.

Jam-packed with up to date information - it was the newest book I could find out there published in 2008!!! Gives information such as what foods should be avoided and until what age. (For instance, did you know they raised the age at which you can introduce chocolate to 3 years of age?)

The book is smaller than I thought, which makes it very manageable.

It also lays/falls open very well naturally, which will come in handy when I want to try some recipes. I won't have to keep opening the book with possibly messy hands.

I saw a quick recipe for babies 16 months and older called "Egg Pizza" which was just some beaten eggs cooked into an omelet shape, then sliced up like pizza with cheese on top. I just thought how cute and what fun for a toddler to get "pizza" for breakfast. Even would be a cute idea for pre-schoolers/early elemetery students and at those ages, you can add more toppings to keep it interesting and nutritious for them! It's the cute little things like this, that really make the book special.

Very easy and fun to read! The colors are pleasant which always makes it easier to get excited to dive in and read it!

So far, I just love this book. I can't wait to share it with friends and family so we can all educate ourselves and make the healthiest food we can for our babies!

I really like this book because it offers a comprehensive guide to eating and appropriate foods for the the first year. It is well organized and has chapters geared toward various ages. The recipes are helpful and gave me new ideas. The book is easy to read and follow. She doesn't reference science or medicine too much but seems to know the topic. Great value for the price.

This book is not bulky, yet covers a variety of important toddler topics. It has greatly influenced many of my parenting choices. It is an easy read that proves to be an essential for any parents wishing to be informed and assured.

We'd been determined to not read any books, and generally follow instict in raising our son - though admittedly, that becomes more difficult as he gains enough attitude and verbal acuity to talk back. This book was fairly good, but not a page turner.

This is the best book ever written on toddlers, with the most practical advice and information. Best of all, it is easy to refer to when you don't have time to read. Pat Shimm and Kate Ballen are geniuses!

A must have for parents of toddlers. You will refer to it again and again. Contains very helpful advice and really helps one understand their child.

I read this book and it didn't really teach me anything new that I didn't already know. The only thing that stood out to me is something the author suggested that I definitely do not agree with- that you let toddlers of equal size and strength battle it out for toys. Think about it... I found the book "How to raise an unspoiled child" much more helpful and respect the authors approach and credibility.

Ann Caron is a great writer, with great information. Wish I had had this knowledge when my sons were entering puberty. Must reading for parents of sons and daughters.

In attempting to better understand my son after divorce, I read this, as one of perhaps a dozen books that were recommended. In a short summary, and as a divorced dad, I believe this author should stick to what she understands, girls and their mothers. There are much better books if you are interested in understanding how boys grow, and how to help them mature.

This book was a lifesaver in my dealing with my 13-year old son who seemed determined to take out all his frustrations and anger at his parents' divorce on me. Understanding why he is the way he is and what is normal and not normal has helped me enjoy being around him more. This book gave me the strength to stand my ground with my son who is constantly pushing the limits to the max. I wish my ex-husband would read the book because I think Caron's insight into boys is invaluable, regardless of whether you are a mom or dad.

I read this book when it was new over 10 years ago. My son is now 24 years old.

I raised him alone because his father was an absent parent (aka - an alcoholic). To top off our disadvantage, I was a teen parent. But, I was a strong mother and indeed raised a strong son. He has excelled both in college (graduated summa cum laude from a top west coast university) and is now very successful as an IT manager/consultant. And, he is an extremely caring yet mature young man. He respects females in the work place as well as all people in general. He isn't afraid to take on tough business challenges and see through these challenges to the end.

I am blessed to have a son that is someone to be very proud of. I am very fortunate that he still comes to me for support and openly communicates to me about his life. This book helped provide me with simply the "guts" to be a strong mother when it was most needed during his teen years and into his college years.

I advise all moms toughing it out alone to read this book and find the bravery to be the best you can be for your son. Let him experience life, but guide him with an open and loving, but firm hand. It will pay off!

I found this book to be useful in understanding why my son was already entering teenage rebellion at the age of 12. The advice to give more independence while staying in charge on things that REALLY matter was invaluable. I convinced my husband to participate in this process which was not easy. The result was excellent and within one year he was in control of his own behavior without constant supervision. He is now 18 and we never had any major difficulties during his teenage. I do not know why a male reviewer was so negative about the book but I totally disagree. The book is based on research and confirmed by information in other books that were published somewhat later (written by men such as Michael Gurian's "The Wonder of Boys")

It's an interesting theory, but there seems to be some repetition of the symptoms marking each developmental leap. I like learning about the cognitive changes in my child and his ability to understand the world differently as well as the physical accomplishments, such as rolling, babbling, etc. that tend to get more attention from other sources. There are checklists that are fun to view and see how much my baby's grown.

This is a well written and accurate account of the developmental stages from birth to 14 months. It is a fantastic reference book.

This book is great for figuring out why your baby is having fussy periods,etc. It's right on for me and my daughter.

This book is fantastic. When you think your bub is acting out of the ordinary you look up this book and discover its a wonder week. I had no idea there were such things. As a new mum it makes you feel better that there are valid reasons for your baby's change in behaviour. Definitely recommended for all mums.......especially first timers like me.

SO happy they reprinted it!!! I had to borrow a copy from my sister but now I'll order my own... yes it's THAT good.

Okay...so maybe a tad simplistic and repetitive (it tells you not to shake the baby every chapter)... BUT as a new mom it was nice to know that it was NORMAL for my happy boy to turn into a fussy clingy non-sleeper. I like that the book encourages moms to pick up their babies, to respond to their cues, and reinforces that their crying indicates a NEED not manipulation.

I had high hopes when I bought this book. I wanted to read about ways I could raise my baby to be well adjusted, happy and self confident but the title is misleading. The examples in the book are totally unreasonable. According to this book the only way to have a happy baby means exclusively practicing attachment parenting. Some attachment parenting ideas are great but the author says babies don't need their own room, or cribs, strollers, swings, play yards or high chairs because these "contraptions" cause the baby to be miserable. She says that when you take your baby out for a walk in a stroller "all they see is a scary, distorted, knee high view of the world." WHAT! Are toddlers, who are knee high when standing, getting a scary view of the world too? She also insinuates that parents somehow cause colic and if you practice attachment parenting (hold them at all times)then you can avoid it. My daughter did not calm when I used the stroller, swing or bouncer "contraptions" but she also did not calm when I held her at all times. She cried because she had colic not because I wasn't responding to her needs. I wish I had known more about this book before I bought it. Trust your instincts and know that putting your child in a play yard while you do the dishes is not going to cause psychological harm.

Excellent tips and pearls of wisdom on how to raise a happy baby. It works! I have a happy baby as a result. Refreshing alternative in this selfish era of "putting yur baby on a schedule to fit your lifestyle." You can not give a child too much love. The information given is what women have known for centuries - nuture your babies. It is instict to nuture but women go against their insticts and follow the trends. Nuture your babies and they will be happy. I am sending this book to everyone I know with a baby. Also read books by Dr. Sears on attachment parenting. This book gave me the reassurance I needed to follow my heart and do what I knew was best for my baby. Advise is backed up with research studies.

I thought this book was AMAZING! I had not read much about attachment parenting prior and wasn't sure it was even an option for me but after reading Lisa McCourt's book I wouldn't raise my baby any other way. I especially liked the well written psychological insights she gives. As a psychologist I have to say that her viewpoints are right on in regards to the psychological and emotional well-being of a child. As a future parent- her ideas touched my heart as well as my funny bone. Her style of writing is heartfelt as well as intelligent. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

I am not a mother yet, but my sister has practiced attachment parenting with all of her 5 children and they are happy children.They are not clingy, whiny brats who want everything in site.They live with us and I can see the benefits of this style of parenting.I have also seen children who's parents treat them otherwise, and I can already see the effects from it.They are more clingly, more whiny and more aggressive.I especially liked the passage about babies living in the present moment.It states that a mother who practices "detached" parenting by letting a child cry himself to sleep, etc. may honestly believe she is doing what is best for her child because her child is so happy and cheerful.But, they caution that it is because they are so desperate for mommy's love and attention when she is around that they are that way.That it can take years before you will see any psychological damage from this type of parenting.

I don't think any mother intentionally decides to do harm to their child when they do things such as letting a child cry himself to sleep.But, the truth is that they are:they just can't see the effects.Babies deserve respect just as much as adults do and this book explains how.For the reviewer who says they tell you that you shouldn't buy a crib, etc.That is not true.If you read the book thoroughly, you will see that they will tell you how to train a child lovingly to sleep in a crib if you so choose, and how to choose a child care provider if you must who will provide baby with a good experience.

So, while they suggest you don't buy cribs, etc.They also provide ways to do so lovingly if you choose to buy those things. Great book!!

Excellent source for all parents who are looking for authoritative information on every aspect of childcare from birth through the teen years.

This is a great book for parents and a great gift to give for a new baby.

I give this book to all the expectant mothers I know. Sometimes I even give a copy to the grandparents, too. I discovered the FOF Baby & Child Care Guide after my daughter had our first grandchild. I have confidence in Focus on the Family publications and I ordered a copy for her. I was so pleased with the content and the balanced advice. (Not all children are the same, so one answer does not fit all.) Now whenever we have a friend who is expecting a baby I order another book. I enjoy hearing someone who already has a copy tell the recipient "That's a good book. You'll use it a lot." We found the diagnostic information to be so accurate that when our grandson went to the doctor, what the doctor told us was what we had already read in the Child Care book.

My mother purchased this book for my husband and I as a gift when we were expecting our first child. We have used many Focus resources in the past and intend to use their discipline approach for our children. However, this book was extremely disappointing.

Instead of giving a thorough perspective on recent issues, they give sketchy summaries and little research to back up their conclusions.

For example, the book only gives a 2 sentence definition of the Bradley Birth Method in which it even describes at as "anti intervention". My Husband and I attended Bradley classes and never heard any such information taught.

Another, and by far the worst example, is their discussion of vaccines. Not only do they skip the most severe side effects from vaccines such as the MMR, but without giving any research they draw conclusion discrediting anyone who is pro selective inoculation citing examples such as "heard immunity" which has been discredited in the micro-biological area for the past decade.

Yet another example of their lack of research comes with the explanations of ultrasound testing during pregnancy. Focus gives the basic definition of what it is and explains that there have been no tests to suggest it is dangerous. However, according to the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health "routine ultrasound testing during pregnancy has not been sufficiently evaluated to go unquestioned" and according to the FDA "prenatal ultrasounds can't be considered completely innocuous,". Finally according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists "casual use of ultrasound during pregnancy should be avoided." With this many health organizations cautioning against ultrasound, and with documented research suggesting possible dangers, such a conclusion by Focus is very hap-hazard.

Furthermore, the book even presents an inaccurate definition of homoeopathic medicine and draws the conclusion that it is non-main stream and effectiveness is questionable. As a pregnant woman, I find nothing more reassuring then when my midwife can offer me a dietary supplement to cure whatever is ailing me.

Finally, and most insulting of all, the book completely attacks the use of home birth and states that it is a "selfish decision made for convenience" and recommends that people considering it go to a hospital birthcenter instead. My husband and I live in Phoenix, AZ where the last birthcenter closed its doors over a year ago. Our only options for a safe and healthy natural birth are to either argue with the hospital staff for 15 hours in labour or have a trained specialist assist with a home birth!

In conclusion, my husband and I will continue trusting Focus for advice on spiritual and relational issues, but when it comes to medical advice we'll stick with our midwife and the Sears Family Library of books.