Must Read Books for New Parents

Congratulations to your new arrival! You’ve spent the last 40 weeks planning and preparing your home for a baby, and now he has arrived. We will see the must read books for new parents here.

While there are plenty of ways to get enough information during the pregnancy period (including lot of books about pregnancy), what really happens  is still a mystery. But most of the experts are turning their trained scientific eyes towards this phase . They know that newborns, toddlers and every stage has its own challenges.

Some give a thorough information you need, with science-backed studies about newborn health and development. Others are for in a experimenting stage first-time who are feeling their way through different parenting styles . Others focus on the adults themselves, because the transition into parenthood can be harder than you think. Some of them look beyond the baby and toddler stage, because they are going keep an eye on the bigger picture.

A personal recommendation for parenting books to avoid: Books on how to adopt parenting practices from parents in other nations (or eras?) have never struck me as particularly helpful; if you can’t take advantage of each nation’s social policies, such as parental leave, affordable childcare, and healthcare, you won’t be able to adopt that population’s parenting practices. Moreover, I would be leery of anything that makes extravagant claims of instantaneous miraculous sleep remedies for infants. Sure, there are things you can do to encourage better and safer sleep, but no matter what a professional who has trained millions of babies says, there’s only so much you can do. Also, sometimes kids will simply sleep (or not) on their own schedules no matter what you do. so concentrate.

 

THE BEST OVERVIEW

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

Many parents are familiar with the “What to Expect” books from their pregnancies, but they are still useful for babies and toddlers.

What to Expect the First Year approaches the growth of growing babies in a manner similar to the way What to Expect the Pregnancy presents a month-by-month look at the body’s changes.

You can gain insight into future habits, developmental milestones for the infant, and warning signs that should prompt a visit to the doctor.

There is also What to Expect the Second Year if you really enjoy the methodology.

 

FOR THE MOMS

Enough About the Baby by Becky Vieira

Not only the baby experiences several changes in the first year.

Becky Vieira gives the honest, unvarnished truth that is frequently passed over by people who only want to concentrate on the wonder of being a new parent if you have been pregnant, given birth, and are adjusting to motherhood at home.

No subject is off limits, as Vieira addresses anything from dealing with unwanted advice from family members to getting beyond the first postpartum poop.

 

 

DATA-DRIVEN PARENTING

Cribsheet by Emily Oster

A parenting manual from an economist?

This is why it’s a smart idea:

Emily Oster approached the parenting advice as a data study because there is so much conflicting advice available.

To convey what research can support, she gathered papers, crunched data, and cut through the noise of parenting manuals.

(She did the same thing with Expecting Better, her book about pregnancy.)

You can now find out, based on studies, things like when to start toilet training your child or whether breastfeeding will make your child smart (it won’t) (it depends on how quickly you want it to be over with).

 

FOR THE BIG PICTURE

Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

For a change of pace, journalist Angela Garbes emphasizes in her book how the coronavirus epidemic revealed just how crucial caregiving is, and she places this in the perspective of the history of care work and how it ought to be given more respect.

(Also recommended: Jessica Grose’s Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood from the New York Times.)

With Like a Mother, Garbes focused her journalistic attention on pregnancy and the postpartum period and dispelled many commonly held misconceptions regarding topics like nursing and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

 

 

 

How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes by Melinda Wenner Moyer

Because, you know, that’s the ultimate objective. Melinda Wenner Moyer, a science writer, found that topics including how to foster compassion, generosity, anti-sexism, and anti-racial prejudice are the subject of several studies and study. She debunks some of the parenting’s most difficult challenges and advises parents on how to overcome them.

 

CUTS DOWN ON CRYING

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

A rested new mom might approach you and reveal that this book is their top-kept secret if you run into them. Harvey Karp, M.D., a child expert and creator of the well-liked, SNOO bassinet that is recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute, offers parents what he refers to as a “off button” for infant crying. He instructs them on how to control their tears so that the entire family may get more sleep by using what he famously refers to as the “5 Ss” (swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking, and placing them in a side-stomach position). If Dr. Karp’s techniques appeal to you, you can continue on to The Happiest Toddler on the Block for assistance with tantrum prevention and other child problems.

 

 

The Wonder Weeks by Xaviera Plooij, Frans X. Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt

Some parents vouch for the understanding of their baby’s brain and conduct that The Wonder Weeks provided.

It describes the “leaps” in development that babies make during their first year and beyond, as well as the difficulties that come with them.

The first 20 months of a baby’s life are even more thoroughly covered in a freshly revised edition published in 2019, and co-author Xaviera Plooij’s recovery guide The Wonder Weeks: Back To You was published in 2022.

 

 

UNDERSTAND THEIR DEVELOPMENT

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

This book essentially explains how to pry open your child’s mind and discover what the heck is going on within.

It explains how your children’s brains are developing and how you can use that information to assist you deal with daily difficulties like tantrums.

Try the authors’ No Drama Discipline methods if you agree with their philosophy.

 

FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Yet in a time when parenting fads come and go quickly, there’s a reason this one has endured: it makes it easier to understand what children are saying so you can stop yelling at them or repeating yourself endlessly, which is nobody’s favorite aspect of parenting.

 

BEST BOOK FOR NEW FATHERS

Diaper Dude by Chris Pegula and Frank Meyer

The message of this book is that fatherhood doesn’t mean that males have to forget who they are. In fact, there is a line of diaper bags with the Diaper Dude logo that resemble regular-guy backpacks and messenger bags.

 

FOR THINKING ABOUT THE LONG-TERM

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

If all goes according to plan, eventually you’ll launch those baby birds out of the nest (though, you know, not too far).

Former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University Julie Lythcott-Haims teaches parents how to control their most helicopter/lawnmower-like impulses and produce independent people who can survive on their own.

(But, we guarantee kids will always require their parents.)

 

The Wonder Weeks

by Xaviera Plooij, Frans X. Plooij PhD & Hetty van de Rijt PhD
The Wonder Weeks are still going strong and are in their sixth year. With milestones, developmental checklists, exercises, and parent feedback, it serves as the best resource for new parents.

In order to allay the concerns of new parents, the writers present crucial information because they are aware that parenthood can be daunting.

Parenting with Love & Logic

by Foster Cline & Jim Fay
Getting kids ready for the real world is one of the hardest things parents have to do. As much as we want to protect and insulate kids from disappointment and danger, the truth is the world is out there and very real.

Foster Cline and Jim Fay’s special book is intended to assist parents of preschoolers and elementary school-aged kids in imparting valuable life lessons such as responsibility, tasks, managing stress and peer pressure, and handling challenging emotional circumstances.

 

The Whole-Brain-Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

by Daniel J. Siegel MD & Tina Payne Bryson PhD
A great resource for parents interested in good discipline is The Whole-Brain-Child.

Famous pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp suggests reading this New York Times best-selling book because it has “Simple, Smart, and Effective Solutions to Your Child’s Struggles.”

This cutting-edge approach to parenting is intended to assist you in comprehending how the brain develops and to offer advice on how to raise a content child.

 

The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year

by Dawn Dais

Both parents and children frequently experience sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and a lot of crying while parenting.

A lighthearted and sarcastic look at parenting is The Sh!t No One Tells You.

Dawn Dais provides real issues from real moms with workable solutions without sugarcoating the difficult topics.

 

The Happiest Baby on the Block

by Harvey Karp, MD

A well-known pediatrician and authority on infants, Harvey Karp. His book The Happiest Baby on the Block offers helpful guidance on topics including nursing, swaddling, and sleep training. Also, it contains the most recent information on SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and precautions.

The advice in his book is based on three ideas: the cuddle cure, the calming reflex, and the fourth trimester, which is the time immediately following birth when your baby is still in need of the womb environment. It also includes advice on how to activate your baby’s calming reflex and comfort them.

 

Best Books for Moms

These novels are intended for new parents, particularly mothers. So, the books on this list are certain to be helpful for all mothers, whether you are carrying the baby, your partner is, or you are adopting.

We advise reading before your due date because you will be excited yet exhausted and overwhelmed once your new baby arrives.

 

Strong As a Mother

by Kate Rope

A successful transition into motherhood requires a lot of strength, and Kate Rope’s book is the ideal companion. This useful book provides advice and tools on postpartum emotional health, bonding with your partner, choosing challenging childcare, and practicing self-care.

While many of the books on this list are focused on child development and infant care, Strong As a Mother is the only book on your bookshelf made to help YOU!

 

Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the !$& Just Happened)

by Kelly Rowland, Tristan Brickman MD, & Laura Moser MD

Don’t be put off by the lengthy title; Whoa, Baby! is the ultimate manual for adults and is focused on your needs.

Kelly Rowland, a performer, and Dr. Tristan Brickman, her OB/GYN, wrote the song, which covers all the physical changes a pregnant woman’s body goes through.

This open book has a large number of genuine questions Kelly asked her doctor while she was pregnant.

This book will assist you not only during pregnancy but will also better prepare you for childbirth.

 

Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

by Pamela Druckerman
American journalist Pamela Druckerman gave birth to a child while residing in France. This best-selling manual for new parents was written by the author using lessons learned from her experiences as a mother and raising a child in France.

There are suggestions in Bringing Up Bébé for mealtimes, potty training, and baby nap patterns. According to Druckerman, French parenting emphasizes the value of enjoying your adult life guilt-free and does not revolve around catering to your child’s every whim.

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity

by Meg Meeker, MD

Dr. Meeker motivates new mothers with tales of real women. She offers ten doable, realistic approaches for mothers to look for both themselves and others around them.

The 10 Habits of Happy Moms doesn’t avoid the difficult subjects since it recognizes that mothers may experience difficult emotions including loneliness, anxiety, and sadness.

 

Sh-tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us

by Karen Moline, Mary Ann Zoellner, Alicia Ybarbo, & Laurie Kilmartin
The humorous book Sh-tty Mom was created by four mothers who have experienced everything. This book places a strong emphasis on having mom friends, celebrating significant life events, and receiving helpful guidance on overcoming some of the most difficult parenting issues.

You’ll be laughing aloud while also nodding in agreement as you read this humorous book.

 

Best Books for Dads & Partners

Dads and partners may often feel like they are on the outside looking in during pregnancy and early parenthood. However, there are many things dads and partners can do to support mom and be active in the pregnancy and parenting journey.

Below are a handful of books selected specifically for dads and partners!

 

We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook

by Adrian Kulp

New parents all across the world frequently choose this #1 bestseller!

Information about pregnancy and growth, how to create a birth plan, and strategies to help your partner are all included in this guide.

We’re Pregnant makes you aware that you don’t have to be a baby whisperer or the ideal parent to be a dad.

Instead, it demonstrates how to be present, responds to any queries, and offers conversation starters for doctor appointments.

 

The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year

by Armin A. Brott

The first year of your baby’s life is covered in The New Father’s month-by-month development guide.

This indispensable parenting guide covers more than simply diaper changes and cribsheet folding; it also addresses modern concerns like fatherhood and technology, the evolution of parenthood, and how becoming a parent changes your brain.

 

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

by Gary Greenberg

Be Prepared is regarded as the useful and practical dad’s manual. It offers advice on things like how to keep awake during the first few months of the job and how to baby-proof your hotel room.

This book is a must-have for all handy dads and partners since it takes a humorous approach to parenting with MacGyver-style tips and diagrams.

 

The New Dad’s Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers

by Scott Mactavish

This book is for parents who don’t put up with foolishness and gets right to the point.

This manual is for you if you’re an expectant father who feels ignorant of pregnancy, labor, and newborns.

Words relating to babies, such as onesie, diaper genie, binky, etc., are defined in The New Dad’s Survival Handbook.

For new dads, this book is a fantastic present!

It takes a lot of planning to welcome a new baby and pregnancy lasts nine (plus) long months.

Whether you are a mom or a partner, part of the preparation is educating yourself and learning as much as you can about parenting, self-care, and pregnancy.