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While counselling newly
delivered mothers, about the health of their babies, I often ask them if
they have read any literature about the care of thier babies. The
answer, even from the highly educated mothers, is invariably negative.
They often have series of questions. Mothers want to know if their child
is normal, if he is growing well, has normal development, why does he
not demand food like other children, why does he not look chubby, why is
he always so restless and defiant and so on. I am glad to say that the
present book answers all these questions. In addition the book also
covers maintenance of personal hygiene, immunizations, manage-ment of
minor but irritating problems of a growing child, care during common
child-hood illnesses, rational selection of home remedies, understanding
traditional health care practices, first aid and dealing with common
medical emergencies including accidents and poisoning. Sex education in
children and problems of adolescence have been specially highlighted.
The chapter on handicapped child includes list of voluntary
organizations from where help for managing such children can be sought.
In fact this book gives innumerable practical tips on child care from
conception to adolescence. It also answers a host of commonly asked
questions about child health and child care, e.g., how to choose
toys and clothes for children, what to look for in a creche, etc.
This book has been rightly acclaimed by the author as an excellent blend
of science and art of mother craft. It has been written in a simple and
easily understandable language. A large number of illustrations help in
understanding the problem and boxing of the important state-ments
further highlight the core information.
This book, a treatise on child care in Indian
settings, should be of immense help to sensitive parents who want to
find answers to the common problems of their growing child. This also
reflects a very long personal experience of the learned author and may
be accepted as a primer on Child Care even by young health professionals
including doctors who want to provide impressive counseling about not so
impressive problems of their pediatric patients.
O.N. Bhakoo,
Former Professor and Head,
Department of Pediatrics,
Postgraduate Institute of
Medical Education and Research,
Chandigarh 160 012, India.
E-mail: [email protected]
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