Now that baby’s here, you may have a lot more questions than you did when you were expecting!
We asked Babylist families about their favorite books that got them through the first year, and here’s what they told us. (And don’t worry. You’ve got this!)
Helpful Options
Happiest Baby on the Block
This book focuses on how to tune into your baby’s calming reflex and can be really helpful when it comes to soothing babies and increasing sleep. Babylist parent Lindsey C. says “As a first time mom, I was worried if my ‘mom instinct’ would kick in immediately. This book gave the proper tools and tips I needed to feel confident to succeed in soothing our little one. It gave reassurance and affirmation to many questions I had. I really enjoyed this book!”
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
With so many parenting books out there (and so much conflicting advice), it can be difficult to feel like you’re in control of your own parenting style. Enter economist Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better, who’s done her research on all things parenting—from trends to expert advice. The result? A data-driven book that shows you options, debunks myths and gives you the confidence you need to make your own parenting decisions despite all the misinformation out there.
Babylist parent Rebecca L. told us “[this] book left me feeling informed and comfortable with the choices I made and will make for my family.”
Baby's Sleep Guru
On Becoming Baby Wise
If you are looking to put your baby on a schedule, this is the book for you.
Babylist parent Tabitha says, “The book is about feeding/sleeping schedules and how to implement a routine. I liked the example schedules. If I had to list a dislike, it would be how the book made you feel like your child wasn’t meeting expectations if they weren’t sleeping through the night by 2-3 months of age. If you take this with a grain of salt and focus on a schedule, yet adapt when needed, you’re golden.”
The book is helpful, but it’s important not to be too rigid in following its advice. This book was criticized in an American Academy of Pediatrics journal and can be controversial. We found this article helpful in understanding why some parents love and other parents hate the book.