• Travel
  • Reading
  • Math
  • Science
  • Writing
  • Recipes

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • BOOK CLUB
  • Shop
  • Contact

By The Educators Spin On It

The Best Parenting Books for Expecting Parents to Read

Love to read parenting advice? Me too! Today I am sharing with you some of my favorite books about child development, sleep, eating healthy, raising kind children, and how to get your child to listen books. There will also be our online community of Mom’s best parenting books for expecting parents to read too!  

This article is part of our Best Parenting Advice for New Parents Series.

12 BEST - MUST READ parenting books for new parents. A list created by real moms!

Did I miss your favorite parenting read? Feel free to comment on this article.

The Best Parenting Books for Expecting Parents to Read

By Amanda Boyarshinov

It is SO hard to choose my favorites. There are many different parenting philosophies on the market today. I am a mix of several of them. Just because I don’t agree on the whole philosophy doesn’t mean I don’t learn something about parenting from reading it.

In fact, it is quite the opposite, I LOVE reading books about parenting because I learn new things.  

It is kind of like teaching, you learn a whole back of tricks and tips and then you use them in the classroom when you need it. Same with parenting, you can learn a variety of steps and strategies and pick and choose the ones you think would be the best fit with your family values and children’s personalities.

The books are linked up to my Amazon Affiliate for easy of purchase. I like to check out parenting books from the library and look for them at garage sales and thrift stores too. Most children’s consignment stores will also have a collection of used parenting books for sale at a fraction of the list price too.

Right now, my top 3 parenting book picks are

What to Expect When You’re Expecting: I think this is a good overall resource book for walking parenting through the changes in baby and mom’s development through pregnancy. The book is ordered by gestational age.

What to Expect the First Year, Second Edition Similar to What to Expect When You’re Expecting, this book goes through the stages of development that your child goes through in the first years.  These books have been around for years and the new additions reflect new research and have stayed up-to date on new safety findings and rules.

Jo Frost’s Toddler Rules: Your 5-Step Guide to Shaping Proper Behavior This is a recent favorite.  I was not expecting it to be so awesome.  Although it says it is for toddlers, it really applies to young children of all ages. My husband and parents read it too and all commented on how practical her approach was.  We had great discussions on how we could implement her strategies easily with my children. This book is more for the toddler than brand-new-baby, but a good parenting book if you like reading them like I do!

Our Mom Community Recommends these Parenting Books for Expecting Parents:

“This {On Becoming Baby Wise} is the best baby book out there, in my opinion! Such sound, common sense stuff for when you just need someone to affirm your decisions! I loved this and have given it many, many times as a gift!” – Rosemond

“I always loved your Baby first year. I love the mile stones that I can look over. Plus easy to look up information and packing guide ideas.” – Cassie

On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep

On Becoming Baby Wise: Book II Parenting Your Pretoddler Five to Fifteen Months 

Your Baby’s First Year: Third Edition

“Parenting for dummies – balanced has humor. The no-cry sleep method by Elizabeth Pantley forfuture reference” – Angh

The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

Parenting For Dummies

Your Baby’s First Year For Dummies

“Breastfeeding Made Simple” – Lori

“My fav parenting book is Simplicity Parenting” – Melissa

“We loved this book Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5” – Dierdre

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth To Age 5

*** Remember – books are just one way to have access to information. Several of our readers have commented that books can install fear, doubt, insecurities and useless information. When in doubt, go with our #1 piece of parenting advice – click here. ***

If you liked this post be sure to check out our The Best Parenting Advice Series

laptop set up on gray desk with plant in vase and photos and clock on wall
The Best Parenting Advice for New Parents
parenting a strong willed child sitting on a sofa with arms crossed upset

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

  • Twitter2
  • Facebook69

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Amanda, Babies, Book List, Parenting, Pregnancy

« Tips for Returning to Work after Baby
After School Activities for Kids {Week 4} »

Comments

  1. Lori says

    November 17, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    Loved your blog, Amanda this is very helpful. Great list of books to read this December. Thank you.

For ages…

Grade School
Preschool
Toddler
Baby

Search for an Activity

POPULAR POSTS

Virtual Field Trips for Kids
Summer Activity Bundle 2025
Classroom placement request
Ice+Cream+End+of+Year+Craft.png
Caterpillar to Butterfly Balloon Science Experiment
virtual book club summer camp
May Activity Calendar 2025

GRAB OUR BOOK!

100 fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids Book Cover Standing

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like

Summer Activity Bundle 2025

Summer Activity Calendar Bundle

Ice+Cream+Themed+End+of+Year+Keepsake.png

Class Project for End of School Year

How to Write a Classroom Placement Letter for your Grade Schooler

How to write a letter for classroom placement or teacher request with a sample letter

Unicorn pinata sharing 10 fun things to put in a children's pinata that are not candy

10 Things To Put In A Children’s Piñata – That Are NOT Candy!

what a year of kindergarten writing looks like

What kindergarten writing looks like – a year of student samples

Let’s Connect!

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities, recipes and even travel ideas for families!
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025