"In the era of questionable Internet "facts" and parental oversharing, it's more important than ever to find credible information on everything from prenatal vitamins to screen time. The good news is that parents and parents-to-be no longer need to rely on an opinionated mother-in-law about whether it's okay to eat sushi in your third trimester, an old college roommate for sleep-training "rules," or an online parenting group about how long you should breastfeed (there's a vehement group for every opinion). Credible scientific studies are out there--and they're "bottom-lined" in this book. The ultimate resource for today's science-minded generation, The Informed Parent was written for readers who prefer facts to "friendly advice," and who prefer to make up their own minds, based on the latest findings as well as their own personal preferences. Science writers and parents themselves, authors Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham have sifted through thousands of research studies on dozens of essential topics and distill them in this essential and engaging book. "--

The latest scientific research on home birth, breastfeeding, sleep training, vaccines, and other key topics—to help parents make their own best-informed decisions. In the era of questionable Internet "facts" and parental oversharing, it's more important than ever to find credible information on everything from prenatal vitamins to screen time. The good news is that parents and parents-to-be no longer need to rely on an opinionated mother-in-law about whether it’s OK to eat sushi in your third trimester, an old college roommate for sleep-training “rules,” or an online parenting group about how long you should breastfeed (there’s a vehement group for every opinion). Credible scientific studies are out there – and they’re “bottom-lined” in this book. The ultimate resource for today’s science-minded generation, The Informed Parent was written for readers who prefer facts to “friendly advice,” and who prefer to make up their own minds, based on the latest findings as well as their own personal preferences. Science writers and parents themselves, authors Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham have sifted through thousands of research studies on dozens of essential topics, and distill them in this essential and engaging book. Topics include: Home birth * Labor induction * Vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birth * Circumcision * Postpartum depression * Breastfeeding * Vaccines * Sleep training * Pacifiers * SIDS * Bed-sharing * Potty training * Childhood obesity * Food sensitivities and allergies * BPA and plastics * GMOs vs. organic foods * The hygiene hypothesis * Spanking * Daycare vs. other childcare options Full reference information for all citations in the book is available online at http://theinformedparentbook.com/book-references/

“Paige Wolf provides truths, tips, and mom-to-mom advice on how to go green without going insane in this humorous must-read.” —Pregnancy & Newborn From BPA in baby bottles and asbestos in crayons to misleading “natural” labels—even the most steadfast parent can be driven to frustration. Lighthearted yet authoritative, Spit That Out! cuts through the information overload, sorts cloth from disposable, and empowers readers to make simple but impactful changes. Featuring real life anxieties and advice from celebrities like Alysia Reiner and Kaitlin Olson, to activists such as Robyn O’Brien and Stacy Malkan, to everyday super moms, Paige Wolf assures you that you aren’t alone. Hot-button topics include food, toys, breast milk and diapers, clothing, the hidden toxins in schools, and how to spot greenwashing from a mile away. This “realistic guide to keeping your kids safe and healthy” is bursting with valuable advice on green vacations, how to handle unsupportive friends and family, and how to be green on a budget (People). “Read this book!” —Alysia Reiner, actress, Orange is the New Black “A drastic alternative to my original plan for my son’s safety—keeping him in a plastic bubble!” —Tammy Pescatelli, wife, mother, comedian, exhausted “Wolf offers practical suggestions for both managing your house and managing your emotions when you feel overwhelmed.” —Apartment Therapy “For readers seeking advice on how to ditch guilt and be proactive when it comes to making healthy choices for their children, Wolf’s book ought to become the go-to guide.” —Publishers Weekly “Candid and humorous . . . a clear and comprehensive guide to navigating debates, understanding risks, and making informed decisions.” —Treehugger

Provides advice on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in children, including everyday prevention methods, recommended immunizations, and the appropriate use of antibiotics and other medicines.

Families.

From the author of Expecting Better and The Family Firm, an economist's guide to the early years of parenting. “Both refreshing and useful. With so many parenting theories driving us all a bit batty, this is the type of book that we need to help calm things down.” —LA Times “The book is jampacked with information, but it’s also a delightful read because Oster is such a good writer.” —NPR With Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even greater challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting. As any new parent knows, there is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. From the earliest days, parents get the message that they must make certain choices around feeding, sleep, and schedule or all will be lost. There's a rule—or three—for everything. But the benefits of these choices can be overstated, and the trade-offs can be profound. How do you make your own best decision? Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn't always hold up. She debunks myths around breastfeeding (not a panacea), sleep training (not so bad!), potty training (wait until they're ready or possibly bribe with M&Ms), language acquisition (early talkers aren't necessarily geniuses), and many other topics. She also shows parents how to think through freighted questions like if and how to go back to work, how to think about toddler discipline, and how to have a relationship and parent at the same time. Economics is the science of decision-making, and Cribsheet is a thinking parent's guide to the chaos and frequent misinformation of the early years. Emily Oster is a trained expert—and mom of two—who can empower us to make better, less fraught decisions—and stay sane in the years before preschool.

Today’s busier, faster society is waging an undeclared war on childhood. With too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time, children can become anxious, have trouble with friends and school, or even be diagnosed with behavioral problems. Now internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne helps parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their attention to deepen and their individuality to flourish. Simplicity Parenting offers inspiration, ideas, and a blueprint for change: • Streamline your home environment. Reduce the amount of toys, books, and clutter—as well as the lights, sounds, and general sensory overload. • Establish rhythms and rituals. Discover ways to ease daily tensions, create battle-free mealtimes and bedtimes, and tell if your child is overwhelmed. • Schedule a break in the schedule. Establish intervals of calm and connection in your child’s daily torrent of constant doing. • Scale back on media and parental involvement. Manage your children’s “screen time” to limit the endless deluge of information and stimulation. A manifesto for protecting the grace of childhood, Simplicity Parenting is an eloquent guide to bringing new rhythms to bear on the lifelong art of raising children.