Whether they’re humorous or helpful, there’s something on this list for all parents of infants.
If this is your first time as a parent, you might be feeling as if you don’t know where to begin. How do I get my baby to sleep? When is it safe to bring bring my little girl out in public? There’s a great deal of infant-parenting advice and literature out there and whether much of it is worth reading can often depend upon whom you ask!
Ultimately, you’ll rightfully adopt any tips and tricks you think will work best for you and your family. In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to check out a variety of books filled with advice to help you get through—and even enjoy—the thrills and spills of your baby’s infancy.
From books filled with sleep advice to humorous books that will give you a good laugh, here are 10 parenting books every parent of an infant should read.
Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year by Dr. Ari Brown and Denise Fields
Get your highlighter ready! This book is filled with plenty of basic advice to help new parents navigate their infant’s first year of life. The book goes into topics such as picking a pediatrician, first aid, nutrition and more. There are also tips on how to soothe a fussy baby. Who wouldn’t want to take a peek at that?
Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood and Trusting Yourself and Your Body by Erica Chidi Cohen
Still pregnant? This book is a good choice for moms-to-be who want to take a more mindful approach—or as much of a mindful approach as they can—to giving birth and having a newborn at home. The book includes mindfulness exercises, recipes for mom and birthing tips. New moms—and new parents in general—will likely appreciate any zen they can get!
Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
The author, an American journalist and mother living and raising her children in Paris, wondered why French moms always seem so content and chill. She struck out to discover the secret to parenting-while-French and Bringing Up Bébé was, well, born. The book goes into a wide range of baby- and child-related topics, from encouraging good eating habits to getting your little one to sleep through the night. Druckerman also goes into French motherhood ideals and even how French moms prioritize maintaining their pre-baby identities.
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Moms who enjoy a more holistic approach to life might especially delight in this book. The book includes tips on how to exercise safely after giving birth and how to deal with postpartum emotions. The book also goes into maintaining your relationship with your partner after pregnancy.
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp
All babies cry, but if your baby is a crier then this might be the book for you! The book goes into what is referred to as a baby’s Calming Reflex, the Fourth Trimester and the Cuddle Cure, among other topics. Bottom line: It’s about soothing your child, which can help just about any parent of an infant.
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting by Emily Oster
Written by an economist - and mother of two - this book takes a hard look at advice aimed at pregnant women and new parents. Oster, who also wrote the book “Expecting Better,” aims to debunk myths around topics such as breastfeeding and sleep training.
Understanding Infants by Gigi Schweikert
Do you work in the infant care field? Written by Lightbridge Academy, President & Chief Operating Officer, this professional guide gives tips on working in the world of early child care. How do you decipher where a baby is tired, hungry or just needs a hug? There are plenty of tips on responding to infant cues, which should prove useful for anyone in regular contact with tiny humans.
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Mac Weissbluth, M.D.
What parent doesn’t want their child to be a good sleeper? This book goes into the many different aspects of sleeping for both babies and small children, from naps to sleep cycles to bedwetting to nightmares.
Baby Sign Language Basics: Early Communication for Hearing Babies and Toddlers by Monta Z. Briant
Interested in teaching your baby some—or a lot of—sign language? This book contains more than 300 American Sign Language (ASL) signs, so it can help you get off to a great start. The third edition even includes a video signing dictionary.
#IMomSoHard by Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley
Based on the authors’ web series, the book takes a humorous—and strictly non-judgmental—look at motherhood and is designed to remind all mothers that they are not alone. With chapters such as “Body After Baby So Hard” and “Lose My Mind So Hard,” this read ensures that moms of children of all ages will surely find something to make them laugh.