Tara Haelle - The Informed Parent: A Science-Based Resource for Your Childs First Four Years

Advance Praise for The Informed Parent

Clear, comprehensive, and resolutely evidence-based, The Informed Parent is a fabulous resource for science-minded parents. Haelle and Willingham have tirelessly compiled the evidence on so many questions that cause parents to worry and wonder, and with all of this science at their fingertips, theyll be able to make confident and informed choices for their families. From pre-conception to preschool, youll find yourself returning to this book again and again.

Alice Callahan, PhD, author of The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide to Your Babys First Year

The Informed Parent is a beacon of science-based sanity for new parents caught in a blizzard of dubious child-rearing advice. Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham are sure-handed guides, distilling the most up-to-date, reliable research into sensible advice that neither patronizes nor terrorizes. Circumcision? Television? Nipple confusion? Relax, Tara and Emily have got you covered.

Dan Fagin, director of the Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program at NYU, and Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation

In The Informed Parent, Emily Willingham and Tara Haelle, two widely respected science writers (and parents), explore key questions about child health, beginning with fetal development and continuing into toddlerhood. The result is engaging, conversational, deeply researched, and smart, a book that should be considered a necessary resource for all twenty-first-century parents.

Deborah Blum, director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT, and Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection

Finally! An amazing, informed, evidence-based tour through the most common questions and concerns of parenthood that I can recommend without hesitation. A must for any science-minded new parent, or for anyone who thinks Google doesnt replace expertly curated information.

Yoni Freedhoff, MD, assistant professor of family medicine, University of Ottawa, and creator of the Weighty Matters blog

Parents in the Internet age have to navigate their way through a maze of confusing information and misinformation. Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham are the perfect guides to whats fact and fiction when it comes to the science of parenting.

Seth Mnookin, associate director of MITs Graduate Program in Science Writing, and author of The Panic Virus

Science-based. Judgment free. A perfect guide for evidence-based parenting!

Ari Brown, MD, pediatrician and author of the Baby 411 book series

In The Informed Parent, journalists Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham manage to answer everything a parent could possibly be worried about during pregnancy, birth, infancy, and toddlerhood. What makes this book different from every other book on this subject (and there are many) is that the authors take on not only the science of what concerns us, but encourage us to think along with themgiving us the tools to answer other questions in the future. It was like reading the answer sheet before the test.

Paul Offit, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

With The Informed Parent, Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham have gifted todays neurotic parents with fueland ultimately antidotefor their obsessive researching. Unlike most parenting books, the authors never preach, condone, or praise. Instead, they report the science on all possible parenting controversies in a lay-friendly (and often pithy) style, allowing the reader to come to her/his own conclusions. Well-written, impeccably researched, and brilliantly suited for millennial parents, The Informed Parent should be on the top of everyones baby shower list.

Suzanne Barston, the Fearless Formula Feeder and author of Bottled Up: How the Way We Feed Babies Has Come to Define Motherhood, and Why It Shouldnt

Is it confirmation bias to say that anyone who decides to look at scientific facts instead of hectoring parents is doing the world a service? If so, consider my opinion biased: This book will help a lot of folks!

Lenore Skenazy, founder of the book, blog, and movement Free-Range Kids

As a mom, I can confidently say that The Informed Parent will be a lifesaver for all moms and dads going through the anxiety and excitement of raising a young child. From autism to organic food, the authors demystify modern parents most prevalent fears for the first four years, and effectively arm them with a critical thinking cap for years to come. If youre tired of the mommy (and daddy) wars, or simply need help separating the credible wheat from the misinformation chaff on the Internet, look no further.

Kavin Senapathy, science advocate and author of The Fear Babe

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Copyright 2016 by Emily Jane Willingham and Tara Haelle

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eBook ISBN: 9780698162990

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-I N-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Haelle, Tara, author. | Willingham, Emily Jane, 1968 author.

Title: The informed parent : a science-based resource for your childs first four years / Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham, Ph.D.

Description: First edition. | New York, NY : Perigee, [2016] | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015046759 | ISBN 9780399171062 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Child rearing. | Parenthood. | Pregnancy. | Child development. | FamiliesHealth and hygiene. | BISAC: FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / General. | HEALTH & FITNESS / Pregnancy & Childbirth. | FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Life Stages / Infants & Toddlers.

Classification: LCC HQ769 .H228 2016 | DDC 649/.1dc23

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.