Must Read Parenting Books for New Parents
Congrats! You’ve made it past the pregnancy stage and have successfully created a new human. Now what? If the idea of raising a kid without some guidance seems daunting, these parenting books will get you through the finish line. Because no one starts out with perfect knowledge of everything that goes into parenting, so you’re going to have a blind spot or two at some point.
I believe that if you’re going to invest your time and money in reading a parenting book, it should leave you feeling better than you did before. It shouldn’t leave you feeling terrible or useless, instead, the best parenting books should make us feel better in a complicated, hard-truth way. We can’t really control things (like our kids), but at least we aren’t alone.
The very best parenting books are better than the intentions we bring to them. The good ones are both consoling and challenging, reminding us that to be a parent who is present, and forgiving, and kind, you must first be all of these things to yourself. (Harder than you’d think.) The parenting books listed here are some of my favourites and I’ve enjoyed reading them this past year and a half.
Top Books for New Parents
Crib Sheet:A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
A parenting book written by an economist? Here’s why that’s a good idea: With so much conflicting advice out there, Emily Oster approached the parenting info as a data project. She culled studies, crunched numbers, and cut through the noise of parenting guides to present what science can back up. I LOVED Oster’s first book Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know. It relieved a lot of my concerns about pregnancy and childbirth and I would consider reading it again if I have a second child.
Within this book, you can find out, based on studies, whether or not breastfeeding will make your kid a genius (it will not) or what the best time to potty train is (it depends on how quickly you want it to be over with).
The Happiest Baby on the Block
If you see a well-rested new parent, they might pull you aside and say that this book is their secret. Harvey Karp, M.D. — child expert and inventor of the much-loved SNOO bassinet — tells parents how to use what he famously calls the “5 Ss” (swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking, and putting them in a side-stomach position) as an “off switch” for baby crying. We didn’t get a SNOO, I know some people who did and swear by it. But this book was helpful, especially when Rowan went through that hard four month leap/regression.
The Wonder Weeks: A Stress-Free Guide to Your Baby’s Behavior
Certain parents swear by the insight that The Wonder Weeks gave into their baby’s brain. It details the developmental “leaps” that babies take in their first year — and the challenges that come with them. Instead of me focusing on the stress of a clingy, crying, cranky baby, I was instead focused on what skills she was developing and working hard to gain.
I have the app downloaded on my phone too as a quick reference and let me tell you, this is accurate down to the day! There’s a reason it has 2 million+ books sold, and 4 million+ downloads of the corresponding app.
The Montessori Toddler: A Parent’s Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being
Did I know anything about Montessori before having Rowan? The answer is no. I did not, I admit I barely looked up anything on what to do with a baby before she was born. I felt I had a playmat, the play gym and a couple of dolls and toys but I had no idea on other activities or lifestyles to practice with her. Though I don’t plan on using full Montessori, I plan on utilizing a lot of these techniques. I actually found out I was doing some of the teachings or practices without intending to this whole time.
Toddlerhood is a tough age. It’s a struggle sometimes to get through each day (for both of us I think). But this book not only directs and instructs, but it also comes alongside and gives resources and further support.
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
What’s the single most important thing you can do during pregnancy? What does watching TV do to a child’s brain? What’s the best way to handle temper tantrums? This book caught my eye because it offers parenting advice within a framework I find particularly interesting: brain development, neuroscience, and quirky scientific studies. I found this enlightening and started to change some things up in our house on how to handle certain situations with Rowan.
The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids
I love to find out other styles of parenting in other countries, it’s fascinating the differences! Not exactly groundbreaking content, but the book emphasizes the best in practical positive parenting strategies and ways of living. It is a quick read with simplified summaries with suggestions on application at the end of every chapter.
It’s an American ex-pat who is now living in Denmark with her family and comparing the styles of North American parentings to the Danish. Definitely an interesting read, easy to follow, and assures you we are all doing our best and not to sweat all the nuances as much as we do over here. I love how relaxed the Danes are at parenting and approaching life itself. The idea of being able to raise kids to be the happiest they could be naturally appealing to any good parent.
The Baby Sleep Solution: A Proven Program to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Twelve Hours a Night
This book was recommended to me after a month of having Rowan at home. Sure, we were very fortunate she was a decent sleeper, but it did prep us for later on when we wanted to sleep train her if you will. If she was sleeping longer stretches through the night, we were also able to function at our best.
I didn’t follow it exactly, as I stated before, Rowan was and still is a pretty good sleeper. But it was very helpful and I can see it being a great guide for someone with a baby who needs some extra help. It’s a quick read with an easy-to-follow plan. The author even gives you charts to use. Yes, I know, not everyone sleeps trains but getting on a feeding schedule and then doing a gentle cry-it-out method really worked for us when she transitioned from her bassinet to her crib.
The Postnatal Depletion Cure: A Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Health and Reclaiming Your Energy for Mothers of Newborns, Toddlers, and Young Children
Ok, this one is for my fellow mamas out there! We cannot forget about ourselves, to parent at our best, we need to feel our best! And for those who were lucky enough to give birth to our little ones, our bodies need nourishment after those nine months of carrying them. This book outlines what we are maybe missing, what we need to eat and drink, supplements, and even exercises! I found this extremely helpful those first few months to reference to and even still!
One interesting fact that stood out to me was the process of growing a baby depletes a mother’s body in substantial ways–on average, a mother’s brain shrinks 5% during pregnancy, and the placenta saps her of essential nutrients that she needs to be healthy and contented. This is a book that goes beyond self-care, with a list of reasons why a mom may be depleted but also recommends getting checked by a doctor.
Well, that is my list of parenting books any new parent should consider reading! I hope these are helpful for you and most can be found at any local library as well! Let me know any books I’ve missed in the comments below, would be helpful for other parents to see! Thank you xoxo
