Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide To Better, More Relaxed Parenting, From Birth To Preschool

"A bit of a cheat recommending this, since Emily’s parents, both economists, are old friends of mine. But the book is an easy-reading but evidence-based guide for prospective and new parents."

"If you (like me) have a small baby at home, you’ll be hungry for a book like this. Emily Oster spent years reading through mountains of data to be able to answer questions like: How long are you supposed to breastfeed? And why? And what if you don’t? She’s an economist, so her approach is pragmatic, even as she takes on charged topics like vaccination and co-sleeping. (She also devotes a chapter to vagina recovery titled “Trust Me, Take the Mesh Underwear.”) The book is jampacked with information, but it’s also a delightful read because Oster is such a good writer. The overall message: Consider the data, then figure out what works for your family, and quit all the second-guessing."