Becoming a parent is one of life’s biggest experiences—and sometimes the scariest too! When you’re holding that tiny baby in your arms, it’s hard not to wonder, “Am I doing this right?” The good news?
You’re not alone, and there’s a whole world of helpful books waiting to guide you through each step.
If you’re trying to figure out how to calm a crying baby, get more sleep, or survive toddler tantrums without losing your mind, there’s a book out there just for you.
This list brings together the most loved, trusted, and talked-about parenting books—filled with real tips, real talk, and real help.
From baby sleep tricks to mindful parenting and hilarious survival guides, these reads are here to help you feel confident, supported, and ready to take on anything parenthood throws your way.
Caution: There are certain book titles that may be offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Why Every New Parent Needs a Good Book?
Becoming a parent is exciting—but let’s be honest, it’s also overwhelming.
That’s where the right book can make all the difference. Parenting books offer expert guidance, real-life tips, and a whole lot of comfort when you need it most.
If you’re guiding sleepless nights, untangling baby cries, or just trying to figure out what’s normal, these reads can be a lifesaver.
They help you feel less alone, more prepared, and way more confident in your parenting journey. Plus, many of them are written with humor and heart, reminding you that it’s okay to laugh, cry, and ask for help.
Simply put, books can be the supportive friend you didn’t know you needed as you take on the beautiful chaos of parenthood.
Best Books for New Parents
1. 1-2-3 Magic
Author Name: Thomas W. Phelan
Popularity: Highly recommended for effective discipline strategies
2. A Survival Guide to Parenting Babies
Author Name: Sarah MacLaughlin
Popularity: Praised for its practical and humorous tone
3. Adventures in Gentle Discipline
Author Name: Hilary Flower
Popularity: Popular among advocates of respectful parenting
4. Babies Are Not Pizzas
Author Name: Rebecca Dekker
Popularity: Widely acclaimed for its evidence-based perspective on childbirth
5. Baby 411
Author Name: Ari Brown & Denise Fields
Popularity: A trusted go-to guide for new parents
6. Baby Calm
Author Name: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Popularity: Known for its soothing, attachment-based approach
7. Baby Care for Beginners
Author Name: Shelley Augustine
Popularity: Popular beginner-friendly guide for new parents
8. Baby Development Made Easy
Author Name: Amanda Jesson
Popularity: Appreciated for its step-by-step developmental milestones
9. Baby Knows Best
Author Name: Deborah Carlisle Solomon
Popularity: Well-known for introducing the RIE ( Resource for Infant Educarers) parenting method
10. Baby Naps Made Easy
Author Name: Jennifer Johnson
Popularity: Favored for practical infant sleep strategies
11. Baby Sign Language Made Easy
Author Name: Lane Rebelo
Popularity: Widely praised for teaching early communication
12. Baby Smart
Author Name: Linda Acredolo & Susan Goodwyn
Popularity: Celebrated for promoting infant intelligence
13. Baby Steps to Baby Sleep
Author Name: Natalie Willes
Popularity: Recommended for gentle sleep training techniques
14. Baby Tips for New Parents
Author Name: Sarah Jordan
Popularity: Loved for its lighthearted yet helpful tips
15. Baby-Led Feeding
Author Name: Jenna Helwig
Popularity: Popular resource for baby-led weaning and nutrition
16. Baby-Led Potty Training
Author Name: Laurie Boucke
Popularity: Known for introducing a natural, early toilet training method
17. Baby-Led Weaning
Author Name: Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett
Popularity: Hugely influential in the baby-led feeding movement
18. Baby’s Eat, Sleep, & Poop Journal
Author Name: BabyCenter Editors
Popularity: Popular as a practical tracking tool for new parents
19. Baby’s First Skills
Author Name: Miriam Stoppard
Popularity: Highly regarded for skill-building activities for infants
20. Baby’s First Year Milestones
Author Name: Aubrey Hargis
Popularity: Valued for clear monthly milestone tracking
21. Babywise
Author Name: Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam
Popularity: Popular but controversial guide on sleep scheduling
22. Becoming Babywise
Author Name: Gary Ezzo
Popularity: Known companion book to Babywise, with a structured approach
23. Beyond the Sling
Author Name: Mayim Bialik
Popularity: Gained attention for its celebrity author and attachment parenting philosophy
24. Big Book of Birth
Author Name: Erica Lyon
Popularity: Appreciated for empowering and inclusive birth prep info
25. Brain Rules for Baby
Author Name: John Medina
Popularity: Widely praised for brain science applied to parenting
26. Bringing Up Bébé
Author Name: Pamela Druckerman
Popularity: Bestseller offering insights from French parenting
27. Calm the Crying
Author Name: Renée Shilsky
Popularity: Loved for practical, calming baby techniques
28. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
Author Name: American Academy of Pediatrics
Popularity: Essential, authoritative guide for baby and toddler care
29. Confessions of a Domestic Failure
Author Name: Bunmi Laditan
Popularity: A humorous, relatable favorite among new moms
30. Cribsheet
Author Name: Emily Oster
Popularity: Popular for its data-driven approach to parenting choices
31. Dad’s Guide to Baby’s First Year
Author Name: Shawn Bean
Popularity: Popular among first-time dads for its relatable tone
32. Eat, Sleep, Poop
Author Name: Scott W. Cohen
Popularity: Praised for its honest and medically-sound advice
33. Expecting Better
Author Name: Emily Oster
Popularity: Widely loved for its evidence-based take on pregnancy
34. First Time Mom
Author Name: Dr. Kevin Leman
Popularity: Popular faith-based guide for new moms
35. Gentle Parenting
Author Name: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Popularity: Highly regarded for promoting empathy and understanding
36. Go the F**k to Sleep
Author Name: Adam Mansbach
Popularity: Viral hit known for its hilarious, adult-oriented take on bedtime
37. Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
Author Name: Karen Kleiman
Popularity: Acclaimed for addressing postpartum anxiety with compassion
38. Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep
Author Name: Dr. Harvey Karp
Popularity: Trusted guide for sleep routines and soothing techniques
39. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Author Name: Dr. Marc Weissbluth
Popularity: Classic guide praised for detailed sleep advice
40. How Babies Sleep
Author Name: Sofia Axelrod
Popularity: Gaining popularity for science-backed sleep strategies
41. How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids
Author Name: Jancee Dunn
Popularity: Loved for its humorous yet insightful relationship advice
42. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Author Name: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Popularity: Bestselling communication guide used by generations of parents
43. How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
Author Name: Joanna Faber & Julie King
Popularity: Popular modern companion to the original classic
44. How Toddlers Thrive
Author Name: Dr. Tovah Klein
Popularity: Respected for helping parents understand toddler behavior
45. I’m Still Here Mom
Author Name: Lisa-Marie Kerr
Popularity: Gaining traction as a supportive read for overwhelmed mothers
46. It’s OK Not to Share
Author Name: Heather Shumaker
Popularity: Noted for challenging traditional parenting norms
47. Latch
Author Name: Robin Kaplan
Popularity: Widely recommended for breastfeeding support and guidance
48. Let the Baby Drive
Author Name: Lu Hanessian
Popularity: Valued for its memoir-style insight on parenting instinctively
49. Life Will Never Be the Same
Author Name: Ann Dunnewold & Diane Sanford
Popularity: Appreciated for preparing couples for the postpartum period
50. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
Author Name: Jim Fay & Charles Fay
Popularity: Well-known for teaching respectful discipline with clear boundaries
51. Mama, You’ve Got This
Author Name: Emma Bunton
Popularity: A growing favorite for its empowering tone and modern advice
52. Mealtime and Milestones
Author Name: Feeding Littles & Megan McNamee
Popularity: Popular on social media for approachable feeding tips
53. Mindful Parenting
Author Name: Kristen Race
Popularity: Well-liked for introducing mindfulness into daily family life
54. Moms on Call Basic Baby Care
Author Name: Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker
Popularity: Trusted by many for structured baby care routines
55. Moms on Call Next Steps
Author Name: Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker
Popularity: Companion guide valued for toddler-age parenting support
56. My Baby Logbook
Author Name: MJ Logbooks
Popularity: Popular tool for tracking baby’s daily habits
57. Newborn 101
Author Name: Carole Kramer Arsenault
Popularity: Appreciated for evidence-based newborn care
58. No Bad Kids
Author Name: Janet Lansbury
Popularity: Respected for gentle discipline and respectful parenting philosophy
59. NurtureShock
Author Name: Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman
Popularity: Famous for challenging common parenting assumptions
60. Oh Crap! Potty Training
Author Name: Jamie Glowacki
Popularity: A go-to book for parents starting potty training
61. Parenting from the Inside Out
Author Name: Daniel J. Siegel & Mary Hartzell
Popularity: Renowned for connecting neuroscience with mindful parenting
62. Parenting Without Power Struggles
Author Name: Susan Stiffelman
Popularity: Popular for peaceful parenting strategies
63. Positive Discipline
Author Name: Jane Nelsen
Popularity: Longtime favorite for fostering cooperation and self-discipline
64. Precious Little Sleep
Author Name: Alexis Dubief
Popularity: Hugely popular for no-nonsense, flexible sleep training methods
65. Raising Good Humans
Author Name: Hunter Clarke-Fields
Popularity: A bestseller in conscious, mindful parenting
66. Real Food for Mother and Baby
Author Name: Nina Planck
Popularity: Loved for its whole-foods approach to nutrition
67. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
Author Name: Tracy Hogg
Popularity: Trusted for gentle routines and parent-baby communication
68. Siblings Without Rivalry
Author Name: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Popularity: Classic parenting guide for handling sibling conflict
69. Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning
Author Name: Malina Malkani
Popularity: Popular for its accessible and safe approach to BLW
70. Simplicity Parenting
Author Name: Kim John Payne
Popularity: Beloved for advocating a calm, clutter-free family life
71. Sleep Sense
Author Name: Dana Obleman
Popularity: Widely used for its straightforward sleep training plan
72. Sleep Training in 7 Days
Author Name: Violet Giannone
Popularity: Appreciated for quick, achievable sleep solutions
73. Sleeping Through the Night
Author Name: Dr. Jodi A. Mindell
Popularity: Enduring favorite among parents of infants and toddlers
74. Starting Solids
Author Name: Annabel Karmel
Popularity: Trusted guide to introducing food with healthy recipes
75. Strong as a Mother
Author Name: Kate Rope
Popularity: Celebrated for supporting mental health in motherhood
76. The 5 Love Languages of Children
Author Name: Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
Popularity: Widely recommended for understanding how children express and receive love
77. The Attachment Parenting Book
Author Name: William Sears & Martha Sears
Popularity: Foundational book for parents interested in attachment-based caregiving
78. The Baby and Toddler Cookbook
Author Name: Karen Ansel & Charity Ferreira
Popularity: Popular for nutritious and easy-to-make recipes for little ones
79. The Baby Book
Author Name: William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, & James Sears
Popularity: Comprehensive go-to guide for baby care and development
80. The Baby Development Guide
Author Name: Crystal Clancy
Popularity: Gaining popularity for tracking a baby’s early milestones
81. The Baby Feeding Book
Author Name: Claire Lerner
Popularity: Valued for its supportive guidance on feeding challenges
82. The Baby Mind Reader
Author Name: Philippa Perry
Popularity: Appreciated for its psychology-based take on infant cues
83. The Baby Owner’s Manual
Author Name: Louis Borgenicht & Joe Borgenicht
Popularity: A humorous and practical favorite for new parents
84. The Baby Sleep Book
Author Name: William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears & James Sears
Popularity: Popular for gentle, attachment-focused sleep advice
85. The Baby Sleep Solution
Author Name: Suzy Giordano
Popularity: Known for structured and efficient sleep training methods
86. The Baby Sleep Training Guide
Author Name: Lucy Wolfe
Popularity: Trusted for its balanced approach to sleep training
87. The Big Letdown
Author Name: Kimberly Seals Allers
Popularity: Gaining attention for its powerful look at the politics of breastfeeding
88. The Breastfeeding Book
Author Name: William Sears & Martha Sears
Popularity: Highly respected guide for breastfeeding success
89. The Calm Baby Method
Author Name: Dr. Joanna Helcké
Popularity: Appreciated for its holistic approach to calm parenting
90. The Confident Parent
Author Name: Jane Scott
Popularity: Popular for helping parents trust their instincts
91. The Conscious Parent
Author Name: Dr. Shefali Tsabary
Popularity: A bestselling philosophy for mindful, self-aware parenting
92. The Danish Way of Parenting
Author Name: Jessica Joelle Alexander & Iben Dissing Sandahl
Popularity: Loved for teaching emotional resilience and empathy
93. The Emotional Life of the Toddler
Author Name: Alicia F. Lieberman
Popularity: Well-regarded for insights into toddler emotions and development
94. The Expectant Father
Author Name: Armin A. Brott & Jennifer Ash
Popularity: Leading resource for dads-to-be
95. The First Forty Days
Author Name: Heng Ou
Popularity: Popular guide for healing and nourishment post-birth
96. The First-Time Parent’s Guide to Potty Training
Author Name: Jazmine McCoy
Popularity: Appreciated for its step-by-step and supportive tone
97. The Fourth Trimester
Author Name: Kimberly Ann Johnson
Popularity: Acclaimed for its holistic support of postpartum recovery
98. The FPIES Handbook
Author Name: Fallon Schultz
Popularity: Valued among parents managing food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome
99. The Fussy Baby Book
Author Name: William Sears & Martha Sears
Popularity: Trusted by parents of high-needs babies
100. The Gentle Parenting Book
Author Name: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Popularity: Well-loved guide for compassionate and connected parenting
101. The Gentle Sleep Book
Author Name: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Popularity: Popular for its no-cry, attachment-based sleep strategies
102. The Good Sleeper
Author Name: Janet Krone Kennedy
Popularity: Respected for blending psychology with practical sleep solutions
103. The Happiest Baby on the Block
Author Name: Dr. Harvey Karp
Popularity: Classic bestseller for calming fussy infants
104. The Happiest Toddler on the Block
Author Name: Dr. Harvey Karp
Popularity: Follow-up favorite focusing on toddler behavior management
105. The Happy Sleeper
Author Name: Heather Turgeon & Julie Wright
Popularity: Widely praised for blending sleep science and empathy
106. The Kind Mama
Author Name: Alicia Silverstone
Popularity: Popular for its natural, gentle parenting and lifestyle focus
107. The Little Book of Baby Names
Author Name: Karen Kaufman Orloff
Popularity: Handy, creative resource for expecting parents choosing names
108. The Mama Natural Baby-Led Weaning Guide
Author Name: Genevieve Howland
Popularity: Popular among natural-living families for its holistic feeding approach
109. The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Author Name: Genevieve Howland
Popularity: Top choice for natural-minded, informed pregnancy support
110. The Mindful Baby
Author Name: Maja Pitamic
Popularity: Valued for engaging activities that nurture mindfulness in infants
111. The Mindful Mom-to-Be
Author Name: Lori Bregman
Popularity: Loved for merging emotional wellness with prenatal guidance
112. The Modern Mama
Author Name: Natalie Gessert
Popularity: Gaining popularity for supporting busy moms in the digital age
113. The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting
Author Name: Ilana Wiles
Popularity: A humorous hit on embracing imperfection in motherhood
114. The Montessori Baby
Author Name: Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike
Popularity: Widely respected for practical Montessori principles for babies
115. The Mother of All Baby Books
Author Name: Ann Douglas
Popularity: Comprehensive, inclusive, and often recommended parenting handbook
116. The Natural Baby Sleep Solution
Author Name: Polly Moore
Popularity: Known for using biological rhythms to support infant sleep
117. The New Basics
Author Name: Dr. Michel Cohen
Popularity: Celebrated for its minimalist, common-sense approach to parenting
118. The New Father
Author Name: Armin A. Brott
Popularity: Trusted guide for dads navigating baby’s first year
119. The New Mom Code
Author Name: Amanda Tice
Popularity: Rising in popularity for promoting self-confidence in motherhood
120. The New Mom’s Survival Guide
Author Name: Jennifer Wider
Popularity: Valued for blending medical advice with emotional support
121. The New Rules of Pregnancy
Author Name: Adrienne L. Simone & Jaqueline Worth
Popularity: Modern and stylish take on pregnancy advice
122. The Newborn Handbook
Author Name: Dr. Smita Malhotra
Popularity: Appreciated for pediatrician-approved, supportive newborn care
123. The No-Cry Sleep Solution
Author Name: Elizabeth Pantley
Popularity: Go-to guide for gentle, tear-free sleep routines
124. The Nursing Mother’s Companion
Author Name: Kathleen Huggins
Popularity: Classic reference for breastfeeding moms
125. The Parent Gap
Author Name: Randi Rubenstein
Popularity: Popular among conscious parents seeking to break generational cycles
126. The Parent’s Tao Te Ching
Author Name: William Martin
Popularity: Revered for its spiritual and reflective take on parenting
127. The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers
Author Name: Anthony Porto & Dina DiMaggio
Popularity: Trusted for its evidence-based nutrition guidance
128. The Positive Parenting Book
Author Name: Rebecca Eanes
Popularity: Popular for emotional intelligence and connection-based discipline
129. The Postpartum Handbook
Author Name: Melissa Christenson
Popularity: Gaining recognition for supporting new moms through recovery
130. The Power of Showing Up
Author Name: Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Popularity: Widely praised for the idea of “being there” as a key to raising resilient kids
131. The Science of Parenting
Author Name: Margot Sunderland
Popularity: Respected for neuroscience-backed parenting strategies
132. The Sh!t No One Tells You
Author Name: Dawn Dais
Popularity: Hilarious and honest favorite for new moms
133. The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight
Author Name: Kim West
Popularity: Trusted by parents seeking gentle sleep solutions
134. The Sleepeasy Solution
Author Name: Jennifer Waldburger & Jill Spivack
Popularity: Popular for its blend of sleep coaching and compassion
135. The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide
Author Name: Melissa Stanton
Popularity: Loved for empowering SAHMs with practical advice
136. The Toddler Brain
Author Name: Dr. Laura Jana
Popularity: Known for helping parents nurture key life skills early
137. The Whole-Brain Child
Author Name: Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Popularity: Bestseller for making brain development easy to understand
138. The Wonder Weeks
Author Name: Hetty van de Rijt & Frans Plooij
Popularity: Essential for tracking developmental leaps
139. The Working Mom Blueprint
Author Name: Whitney Casares
Popularity: Popular for helping moms balance career and motherhood
140. The Year of the Baby
Author Name: Andrea Cheng
Popularity: A gentle narrative praised in parenting literature circles
141. This Isn’t What I Expected
Author Name: Karen R. Kleiman & Valerie Davis Raskin
Popularity: Highly regarded for addressing postpartum depression
142. Toddlers Are A**holes
Author Name: Bunmi Laditan
Popularity: A viral hit for its comedic take on toddler life
143. Weaning Sense
Author Name: Kath Megaw & Meg Faure
Popularity: Respected for practical, science-based weaning
144. What to Expect the First Year
Author Name: Heidi Murkoff
Popularity: One of the most iconic and bestselling baby guides
145. You Are a F***ing Awesome Mom
Author Name: Leslie Anne Bruce
Popularity: Hugely popular for boosting mom confidence and honesty
146. Your Baby in Pictures
Author Name: Me Ra Koh
Popularity: Beloved for helping parents capture beautiful baby moments
147. Your Baby Week by Week
Author Name: Simone Cave & Dr. Caroline Fertleman
Popularity: Practical week-by-week guidance for new parents
148. Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA
Author Name: Jimmy Fallon
Popularity: Bestseller and favorite gift book among new dads
149. Your Baby’s First Year
Author Name: American Academy of Pediatrics
Popularity: Authoritative, go-to reference trusted by millions of parents
Final Words
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but luckily, these books come pretty close!
If you’re preparing for your baby’s arrival or deep in the diaper-changing, sleep-fighting phase, there’s something here for every kind of parent.
From funny takes that make you laugh out loud to science-backed guides filled with real answers, this group is like having a team of experts (and friends!) cheering you on.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own—these books help make the experience less overwhelming and a lot more joyful.
They remind you that it’s okay to make mistakes, take breaks, and ask for help. So, pick a few, curl up with your favorite blanket, and get ready to feel more confident, calm, and attached as you care for your little one.
You’ve got this—and these books are here to help every step of the way.
If you’re interested in more informational content on mothers and babies, feel free toclick here and explore other blogs that you might enjoy.
