Best Parenting Books to Guide You Through Every Stage
No one can deny that parents are busy, but you may be shocked at how much time you have to read when you're in a glider feeding your daughter, pumping at work, or waiting outside of toddler ballet class.
A well-researched and thoughtfully organized parenting book (as well as your peers, your online support group, your doctor, and this website!) will help you find answers to common parenting problems like potty training, discipline, breastfeeding, or sleep. We've compiled a list of nine books that provide expert guidance for parents looking for new ideas, reassurance, and effective strategies.
How to use parenting books
It's important to remember that all parenting books, including those written by experts with long strings of letters after their names to indicate their different degrees and certifications, should be viewed as the author's recommendations. Even if that person is an expert, what worked for them might not work for you.
Nonetheless, almost every parenting book contains some nugget of wisdom or advice that is useful, realistic, and real. Trust your instincts and look for ideas and perspectives that appeal to you as a parent. Keep in mind that you are the best person to know your boy.
While most parenting books make this clear, it's worth emphasizing that a parenting book should not be used in place of a discussion with your care provider. The best parenting books, on the other hand, are excellent additions to your doctor's advice. A good parenting book, unlike your pediatrician, will show up at your house at 3 a.m.
Types of parenting books
Advice, personal, research, and commentary are the four key categories of parenting books.
Advice: By far the most popular type of parenting book, and the one most people associate with the bookstore's "parenting" section, advice books include knowledge and tips on particular problems (potty training, discipline), stages or milestones of child growth (newborns, toddlers), or different aspects of family health (nutrition, sleep). The majority of advice books for parents are written by experts in the field, such as pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, and family therapists.
Personal: It takes another adult to say it like it is sometimes, which is why parenting books in the personal genre can be so helpful. This category includes memoirs, comedy, and other types of writing based on personal experience, as well as books that include a lot of mom-to-mom advice. This category includes books written by a wide variety of actual parents, including actors, comedians, and bloggers.
Science: From the chemical composition of breastmilk to the neuroscience of tantrums, the science of parenting is a rich area of study that generates some unexpected page-turning reads. Academics, scholars, and science and health journalists are commonly the authors of parenting books in the biomedical category.
Commentary: The theory of parenting, as well as the role of parenting in society as a whole, is the topic of parenting books in this genre, which seem to answer some major questions, such as: What kinds of parents should we be? What parenting styles are the most helpful to a child's development? Should I raise my children to be Tiger Moms, French Moms, or Danish Moms? Parenting books in this genre are written by a diverse range of writers, from journalists to scientists to pediatricians — perhaps unsurprisingly. Since there are as many ways to write about how to be a good parent as there are good parents, there are as many ways to write about how to be a good parent.
While there are many helpful and reassuring parenting books in other categories, the majority of the books on our list are advice for unique parenting problems and challenges.
Best parenting books
Here are some of the best parenting books to add to your list.
'The Expectant Father' by Armin Brott
Why We Love It
This guidebook for fathers-to-be, which is part of a series of books aimed at fathers that also includes The New Father, is funny and frank, and information-packed without being too dry or preachy. This is the book that most moms in the What to Expect circle recommend when they inquire for "dad parenting books." Its generous approach to helping men step up, step in, and feel empowered as parents is especially appreciated by moms and moms-to-be. (This is code for "This book encourages dads to assist a mother.")
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'Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right' by Jamie Glowacki
Why We Love It
Oh Crap! is the most recommended book on the subject of potty training by moms in the What to Expect group. It's a fast read that sets out a simple, step-by-step guide for potty training success and helps new parents de-mystify the process. Fair warning: the author's tone can be a little harsh for others, and she advises beginning potty training at a certain age rather than waiting for signs of preparation. However, most WTE moms who have tried this book swear by its results, whether or not they followed the author's recommendations to the letter — so, as with any parenting book, trust your instincts and do what works for you.
'Precious Little Sleep' by Alexis Dubief
Why We Love It
Sleep, even more than feeding or growth, is perhaps the most pressing issue for stressed-out modern parents: how to get it, encourage their baby to do it, and whether or not to sleep train. A bewildering array of baby sleep books recommend various methods, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every family, just as there is no one-size-fits-all solution for most parenting challenges. Precious Little Sleep is a well-organized and well-researched book that breaks down various sleep strategies so you can find out what works best for you and provides a number of guilt-free choices. It's no surprise that WTE moms love it.
'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' from La Leche League International
Why We Love It
The comprehensive guide to breastfeeding success from renowned breastfeeding support organization La Leche League, dubbed "the Bible" by some moms, is well worth checking out, particularly in its new, completely updated edition. It's not a quick read at over 500 pages, but it's the most comprehensive guide for help with positioning, latching, pumping, and troubleshooting common breastfeeding problems including mastitis and sore nipples. These pages provide nonjudgmental help if you want to nurse exclusively for as long as you can or breastfeed for the first few months.
'The Brown Mama Mindset: A Blueprint for Black Moms on Life, Love & Home' by Muffy Mendoza
Why We Love It
Muffy Mendoza outlines positive messages that both single and married moms can relate to in her guide to navigating life as a Black woman. You'll learn how to improve your relationships with your children, partner, and yourself while reading this book. Furthermore, a workbook is included with your order, allowing you to put these new lessons into practice.
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