Mama Doc Medicine

January 20, 2014
Pediatrician, mother of two, and “Seattle Mamma Doc” blogger Swanson combines some of her most popular blog posts with new information in this helpful guide for parents. Swanson has a busy pediatric clinic schedule, so she understands the struggle to balance family life and professional responsibilities. Arranged in four sections (“Prevention,” “Social-Emotional Support,” “Immunizations,” and “Work-Life Balance/Mothering”), her guide is practical as well as personal. Swanson shares her vulnerabilities and fears: admitting to “helicopter parent” tendencies, she frets about her baby’s soft spot, and panics at the thought of the bouncy house and a certain bike her son rides. In addition, she writes with candor about her (ultimately unfounded) doubts that she could love a second child as much as the first. Wearing her doctor hat (and partnering here with the AAP), Swanson devotes an entire section to defending immunizations; while recognizing parental concerns, she is a strong proponent of their use. She supports technology and encourages parents to seek information online, from reputable sources. Parents looking for current research as well as friendly advice will appreciate Swanson’s centered approach to doctoring and parenting.

March 1, 2014
Grandmas will find themselves thinking, If only pediatricians wrote parenting blogs (and turned them into books) when I was pregnant! Swansona pediatrician, mom, and blogger (Seattle Mama Doc)tackles everything from vaccines (get them) to bouncy houses (beware) and has organized her book into four sections covering Prevention, Social-Emotional Support, Immunizations, and Work-Life Balance/Mothering. The chapters consist of enhanced posts from her blog accompanied by vital statistics, links, and helpful summaries and charts, and this format works well. Swanson explains the science of everything from those six soft spots on a baby's head (they let the fast-growing brain expand and cushion the skull until it closes) to chicken-pox parties (not a good idea) and discusses a wide range of subjects from colic to same-sex marriage with candor and humor. For parents who want even more, Swanson lists good online, Twitter, and Facebook resources. The result is a celebration of momhood that ends with the memorable line: Bear witness to the ultimate luxury of life: the gift of your child. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)