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Dr Lynda Exton's "Healthy Start - A New Zealand Guide to Common Childhood Problems"
Reviewed by Dorothy
-- 25/09/2007
Dr Exton is a parent herself and has experienced firsthand the problems that often face parents or caregivers of young children.She has been practising as a family doctor for twenty one years and the practical advice in "Healthy Start" is clearly based on working with families and treating pre-schoolers.
She shows understanding of the needs of different people. She writes in a straightforward style and uses everyday language, avoiding the use of medical terminology which could prove confusing to many readers.
- The information and advice are easily accessible. The introduction sets out questions to ask yourself if you are worried about your child.
- Part 1 Problem guide: a quick reference to some of the commonest problems is the first section to consult when there is a problem.
It gives general comments followed by specific advice.
- Part 2 Keeping your child well includes advice on longer term matters like behaviour, nutrition, dental care, stages of development and giving medicines and also coping with your own anxiety about your child.
- Part 3 Common illnesses in detail is the next place to consult after you have read the quick reference problem guide.
- Part 4 Common medicines gives a list of those commonly given to young children, warns of possible side effects, clarifies the mystery of the multiple names of medicines - generic and trade names - and gives advice about recording the child's reactions to different medicines.
- Part 6 Resources outlines what should be in the family's first aid kit and lists useful books and agencies which offer help.
- The text, especially sections giving advice in emergencies like choking, is clarified by clear diagrams and coloured images where colour is a significant symptom.
How I wish this book had been available when my children were pre-schoolers. How often I worried about what to do for minor ailments and agonised about whether I should make a doctor's appointment! Would the doctor think I was crying wolf and take me less seriously next time if I made appointments unnecessarily?
Children so often develop a health problem in the weekend or in the middle of the night or on a holiday. Country people who live a long distance from medical centres will often be worried about what action to take. Parents concerned about whether the problem is serious enough to need urgent action will find sound advice in this book.
Sections on common problems like coughs, croup, tummy pains, rashes, earache, difficult behaviour patterns, sleeplessness and late development, and lists of resources available in New Zealand will be especially relevant for many parents and caregivers. Those of us who brought up our children with frequent consultation of Dr Spock's book, Baby and Child Care will feel thankful that for today's parents and caregivers there is a New Zealand-based book readily available.
I believe that this book should be kept readily available in any place where young children are being cared for. I plan to give Healthy Start as a gift to new mothers - to help them and their babies.
This book is published by AUT Media. Price NZ$25.00
Editor's comment
Many readers of NZine will have had worrying times with sick children. Please share your memories of such times with other readers. Those who have read 'Healthy Start' could comment on the effectiveness of the advice in the book. To do this you need to be a member of NZine. Joining is FREE and takes only a short time.
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