Early Motherhood

Here are our picks for some of the best child development books on the market.

Complete Guide to Your Children’s Health, by the American Medical Association
This straightforward, comprehensive reference comes from the American Medical Association, so you know it’s good material. The book features helpful pictures, charts, and diagrams on everything from childproofing to teething, as well as easy-to-read symptom charts and an A to Z health encyclopedia. The developmental information, including lists of physical and cognitive milestones and warning signs of potential problems, is divided by age group and includes simple activities and games designed to help your baby learn.

Like carbohydrates in recent years, fats have been wrongly accused of being “bad.” Although some are definitely better than others, certain kinds of fat are actually good for you and your child and are an important part of a healthy diet.

What Is Fat?
Fats, or lipids, are nutrients in food that your body uses to build nerve tissue (like the brain) and hormones. Your body also uses fat as fuel. If fats that you’ve eaten aren’t burned as energy or used as building blocks, they’re stored by the body in fat cells. This is your body’s way of thinking ahead: By saving fat for future use, your body plans for times when food might be scarce.

When children anticipate “going to the doctor,” many become worried and apprehensive about the visit. Whether they’re going to see their primary care doctor or a specialist — and whether for a routine exam, illness, or special problem — kids are likely to have fears, and some may even feel guilty.

Some fears and guilty feelings surface easily, so that children can talk about them. Others are harbored secretly and remain unspoken. In preparation for a physician’s examination, you can help your child express these fears and overcome them.

Regular well-child examinations by your child’s doctor are essential to keep your child healthy and up-to-date on immunizations against many dangerous childhood diseases. A checkup also gives your child’s doctor an opportunity to talk to you about developmental and safety issues and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your child’s overall health.

Regular well-child examinations by your child’s doctor are essential to keep your child healthy and up-to-date with his or her immunizations to prevent many diseases. A checkup also gives your doctor an opportunity to talk to you about developmental and safety issues and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your child’s overall health. As your child grows older, he or she can also bring his or her own questions about their health and changing body to the visit.