Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
A data-driven path to less stressful parenting breaks the cycle of conflicting advice—demystifying early childhood decisions one fact at a time
About This Book
Cribsheet takes you on an eye-opening journey through the maze of early parenthood, arming you with data and clarity to make the myriad daily decisions—big and small—that shape family life from birth to preschool. With practical tools, real-world research, and a refreshing dose of humor, it challenges parental anxiety and cut-and-paste internet advice, empowering you to trust your instincts while making informed choices. Whether you’re debating breastfeeding, sleep training, caregiver options, or navigating the emotional rollercoaster of new parenthood, this guide offers confidence, calm, and actionable strategies for families wanting more joy and less stress in every parenting moment.About the Author
Emily Oster is a renowned economist and professor at Brown University with a talent for translating complex data into practical advice. With extensive research experience in health economics and a relatable, candid style, she’s become a trusted resource for families navigating uncertainty. As a parent herself, Oster brings both academic rigor and firsthand empathy to early childhood topics—explaining not just what data says, but why it matters in the real world. Her work stands at the intersection of evidence, emotion, and actionable insight.
Biggest Takeaway
You can expect to feel more confident and less overwhelmed amid the daily flood of opinions and expectations. By learning a structured approach to decision-making, you’ll gain practical skills for balancing evidence with your family’s preferences and constraints. This clarity helps reduce anxiety, improves your ability to handle new challenges, builds healthier routines, and fosters positive emotional well-being across your household. Tangible outcomes include smarter daily habits, calmer responses to setbacks, and a family environment where individuality and flexibility are strengths, not points of guilt or confusion.
Key Insights from This Book
Explore the most important ideas and learn how to apply them in your life.
Why Your Parenting Preferences Matter More Than the Internet Admits
Relying on Data, Not Anecdotes, Cuts Through the Parenting Noise
Making the Most of Constraints: When Optimizing Means Accepting Trade-Offs
Negotiating Sleep—Why Individualizing Bedtime Decisions Outperforms Strict Rules
Moving Beyond Parental Guilt—Reframing 'Mommy Wars' as Personal Optimization, Not Morality
Harnessing Data for Clarity—But Knowing When Data Can't Decide
The Science of Breastfeeding—Why Short-Term Benefits Matter Most
Optimize Your Postpartum Well-Being—Physical and Emotional Recovery Takes Planning and Permission
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