The Guilt-Free, Data-Driven Guide to Parenting
Economist Emily Oster’s new book, Cribsheet, uses science and stats to cut through the confusion of raising a family.
Illustration: Jan Buchczik
On the night my husband and I finally began sleep-training our son, I texted two of my most trusted friends with kids. “Do we really need to do this?” I asked, knowing my heart would break listening to our 8-month-old howl. “It’s so hard,” replied one. “Just remember he’s OK.” The other recommended letting my husband take over while I drank wine and took a bath.
At that point, I hadn’t slept for more than three consecutive hours in months and was getting all my parenting advice from friends and family. Our pediatrician had suggested we read books to help prepare for sleep training. But there were too many, all offering slightly different methods. And most seemed off-puttingly dogmatic. According to one, avoiding sleep training makes for fussy, hyperactive brats who grow up to be fat children. (Yes, fat.) Meanwhile, I know plenty of great, healthy kids who thrived without crying it out.