Cribsheet by Emily Oster - Non Fiction - Paperback

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781788164498
Publisher: Profile Books (Souvenir Press imprint)

Overview:
Cribsheet by Emily Oster is a myth-busting, data-driven guide that helps new and expectant parents cut through conflicting advice and make calmer, evidence-based decisions. Written by a Brown University economist, this paperback applies rigorous statistical analysis to everyday parenting dilemmas, from breastfeeding to sleep training. It's a refreshingly rational companion for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the noise of modern parenting culture, offering clarity, reassurance, and permission to trust the numbers over the guilt.

About the Book:
Cribsheet takes readers on a clear-eyed journey through the biggest decisions of a child's first few years, examining what the research actually says rather than what internet forums or well-meaning relatives insist upon. Oster, already known for her bestselling pregnancy guide Expecting Better, turns her economist's toolkit toward toddlerhood and early childhood, tackling topics such as breastfeeding versus formula, co-sleeping, sleep training methods, potty training timing, discipline strategies, and early language development. Rather than issuing rigid rules, she walks parents through the actual studies behind popular advice, showing where the evidence is strong, where it's weak, and where cultural assumptions have outpaced the data. The tone is warm, witty, and refreshingly non-judgmental, treating readers as intelligent adults capable of weighing trade-offs for their own family rather than following one-size-fits-all mandates. Along the way, Oster shares candid stories from raising her own two children, grounding the statistics in relatable, sometimes funny, real-life moments. The result is a book that reduces anxiety rather than adding to it, replacing guilt-driven decision-making with a framework for confident, informed choices. Whether the question is whether to sleep train, when to introduce solids, or how much screen time is reasonable, Cribsheet equips parents with the tools to decide what's right for their own household, rather than what's simply loudest online. It's become a go-to reference precisely because it respects both the science and the reader's judgement.

Key Benefits:

• Data-driven analysis that debunks common parenting myths and reduces decision fatigue.
• Covers key early-years topics: sleep, feeding, discipline, potty training and more.
• Written in an approachable, witty tone that balances rigour with humour.
• Empowers parents to make confident, personalised choices instead of following blanket rules.
• Makes an ideal gift for new parents, expectant parents, or baby showers.

About the Author:
Emily Oster is an American economist and Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence at Brown University. Known for applying rigorous economic and statistical analysis to health and family decisions, she is also the author of Expecting Better and The Family Firm, and founder of the ParentData platform. Her work has made her a widely trusted, evidence-based voice for parents navigating the often-contradictory advice of early childhood.

Why You'll Love This Book:
Cribsheet replaces guilt and guesswork with genuine clarity, giving parents permission to make decisions based on evidence rather than pressure. It's smart, reassuring, and genuinely useful for anyone in the thick of early parenthood.

Please Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; this listing is for the UK edition with ISBN 9781788164498.