by Liz Poppenhouse

9/21/2020

As a new mother, I've been doing a lot of reading and researching about this whole parenting adventure lately! I wanted to share a few of my favorite books, Instagram accounts, and activities for new parents.

Books 

Cribsheet: As the title says, this is a data driven guide to less stress in parenting. This book is written by an economist who delves into issues of parenting from birth to preschool. She tackles subjects like breastfeeding, sleep training, daycare and more and looks into studies that can help parents determine what decisions make sense for their family. Spoiler alert: a lot of decisions that parents fret about have negligible consequences, which can help parents breath easier about tough decisions. She writes about her own parental struggles throughout the book as well. I found this book very easy to read and understand.  

Bringing up Bebe: This was written by an American woman who ends up living in France when she has her first child. She notices at some point that French babies and children appear to be much more well behaved than her own toddler and the other American children she knows so she sets out to find out why. This book is part memoir, part parental advice part cultural exploration. It turns out the French have a pretty different mindset about raising children. For example, shortly after a baby is born they start unintentionally sleep training. Instead of rushing to the baby’s bassinet every time the baby starts crying, they simply wait a few minutes listening and trying to understand what the baby needs. Most French babies sleep through the night by 8 weeks old and it might be because of this little difference. There are a lot of interesting little tidbits in here about teaching children patience, and maintaining some semblance of balance in your life after having a child. Not everyone will agree with some of these ideas, but they are interesting nonetheless and Druckerman is an engaging author. 

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: I read this while I was pregnant and implemented a lot of the advice in here about life after having a baby. Tracy Hogg talks about a schedule for parents and babies to follow to make sure babies get enough food and sleep at the right times called the EASY method. We used this method after my baby was just a few weeks old and I can’t be for sure, but I think it helped a lot. She claims that a lot of parents who would hire her for help because they thought they had a colicky baby actually just had a really tired baby. There’s lots of other great advice in here too.  

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: I will admit I haven’t read this yet, but I have seen it mentioned often as a must read book, as well as the one for older kids simply titles How to Talk So Kids Will Listen. From what I can gather this book has been a life saver for many in the toddler phase. How we respond to kids when they are throwing tantrums or disobeying can make our interactions easier if you follow the advice in this book according to many a review.

 

Instagram Accounts 

@takingcarababies: This account has all kinds of helpful information about teaching your baby and toddler to sleep better. The owner of the account is a pediatric nurse and sleep consultant who offers several paid classes for anyone who wants to take them. Disclaimer: we took the newborn class and I do recommend it. However, even if you don’t pay for the classes you will gain all kinds of wisdom for them tips that are posted almost daily. 

@feedinglittles: This account also offers paid courses, but tons of free information as well! There’s lots of great advice on what to feed your baby starting out, how to get picky eaters to try new things, snack and meal ideas. The owners of this account are a dietician and an OT feeding therapist so they know their stuff. 

@biglittlefeelings: I don’t even have a toddler yet and I love this account. So many great tips for parenting toddlers. Theirs is a gentle approach to dealing with toddlers, and it gets rave reviews. My sister has implemented many of their tips and says they work great. For example, when your toddler hates leaving the park, have them come over and set the timer on your phone and discuss that when the timer goes off its time to leave and it supposedly works! They are great at explaining their rationale for why they make the suggestions they do. The women who run the account are also just funny and down to earth. 

@womensmentalhealthdoc: Dr. Pooja Lakshmin runs this account. She writes for the New York Times about women’s mental health a lot. She offers guidance and help for women of all kinds, but especially mothers. She takes a lot of the stigma out of PPD and PPA.  

 

Activities 

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: This might sound like a lot of books, but if you read just one book per day to your kid, then the program will be complete in less than 3 years! If you visit their website, you can find great resources, as well as reading logs to keep track of your child's progress.

Library Zoom Programs: Until we can all be together again in person, check out the Library's Zoom programs for kids of all ages!