Publisher's Weekly Review
Based on a book that celebrated pediatric gastroenterologist Cohen wrote 30 years ago (Healthy Babies, Healthy Kids), this fact-packed resource, featuring numerous flow charts and tables (about vitamins, commercial formula comparisons, infant-growth rates, and scads of other data), covers recent and traditional pediatric nutritional science in 16 concise chapters structured in a question-and-answer format, and a thorough appendix. The author's philosophy is reassuring: "The entire concept of parenthood is based on nourishing and nurturing your children during every aspect of their development." An advocate of breast-feeding whose children and grandchildren were nursed, yet received supplemental formula, Cohen has also consulted with most major formula manufacturers. Breast may not be best for all mothers and babies, and chapters cover topics ranging from allergies, colic, normal weight, pooping, prematurity, and essential nutrients to timing the introduction of solid food and toddler dietary recommendations for breast- and bottle-fed infants. As an experienced doctor, Cohen has seen it all, but except for some old-fashioned wisdom found in his excellent anecdotes about babies he has successfully treated, and the helpful summary of information at each chapter's conclusion, this volume contains more algorithms than accessible mommy-friendly advice. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
It might seem that the question of what to feed a baby can be answered simply: breast milk. Indeed, that remains the gold standard. But Cohen, a longtime pediatrician, gives a more nuanced explanation. He does recommend breastfeeding, which promotes mother-child bonding, decreases the incidence of infection, and even seems to boost IQ and reduce the risk of obesity later. But he notes that nursing doesn't work for all mothers. He then presents useful information about formula. Powders, for example, are more portable and less expensive. And different varieties under the same brand name contain different ingredients. A chart compares the quantities of different vitamins and minerals in three different products by the same manufacturer. For the most part, Cohen suggests following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations in this realistic book. Parents who worry about properly and affordably feeding their infants during the first year of life, when an infant's brain and body nearly double in size, will learn a lot from this thoroughly researched, infant-nutrition guidebook.--Springen, Karen Copyright 2010 Booklist
