The Informed Parent

Finally, a book that presents the latest scientific research on home birth, breastfeeding, sleep training, vaccines, and other key topics--so that parents and parents-to-be can make their own best-informed decisions.

In the era of questionable Internet "facts" and parental oversharing on social media sites, it's more important than ever to find credible sources of information in order to make the most informed decisions. This book fills that gap.

Most parenting books present a philosophy--what the author believes readers should do to raise happy, healthy kids. But more and more parents and parents-to-be prefer to make up their own minds, based on the latest findings as well as their own preferences. Science writers and parents themselves, Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham have sifted through research studies on dozens of essential topics, and distill them in this essential and engaging book. Entries include:

• Home birth
• Labor induction
• Vaginal birth vs. C-section
• Circumcision
• Postpartum depression
• Breastfeeding
• Vaccines
• Sleep training
• Pacifiers
• SIDS
• Bed-sharing
• Potty training
• Weaning
• Childhood Obesity
• Screen time
• Food sensitivies and allergies
• BPA and plastics
• GMOs vs. organic foods
• The Hygiene Hypothesis
• Spanking
• Daycare vs. other childcare options