Best Parenting Books for Infants (2026): 5 Compared

A new parent staring at a crying newborn in the small hours wants answers that work, and the best parenting books for infants cover sleep, soothing, development and feeding from different angles. We compared five parenting books by fit for infant parents, contents and edition, value, and listed reading guidance, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Happiest Baby by Karp	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Wonder Weeks by Plooij	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Bringing Up Bebe by Druckerman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Twelve Hours' Sleep by Giordano	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Nourishing Traditions Baby Care	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Happiest Baby by Karp

Harvey Karp·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 352-page guide to calming crying and infant sleep; skip it if you want a philosophy book rather than a method.

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Pros

• Fully revised and updated second edition from 2015
• Teaches the 5 S's calming method and the Fourth Trimester concept
• 352 pages from Bantam with praise blurbs from medical professionals

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Book 1 of a 3-book series, so the story continues past this volume
• Focuses on calming and sleep, less on later development

2

The Wonder Weeks by Plooij

Xaviera Plooij·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 464-page guide to 10 developmental leaps in the first 20 months; skip it if you only want sleep advice.

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Pros

• Sixth edition from 2019, the most revised pick here
• Covers the first 20 months with checklists, games and leap maps
• 464 pages, the longest pick here, from Countryman Press

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Book 1 of a 3-book series
• Black and white illustrations only, per the listing

3

Bringing Up Bebe by Druckerman

Pamela Druckerman·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 432-page look at French parenting from an American journalist; skip it if you want step-by-step instructions.

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Pros

• 432 pages of reported parenting observation from Paris
• 2014 reprint edition from Penguin Books
• Book 1 of 3, with companion volumes to continue with

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Observational rather than a how-to method
• The 2014 reprint is older than the two top picks

4

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Giordano

Suzy Giordano·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 176-page sleep plan book; skip it if you want the newest research.

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Pros

• A focused sleep plan: regular feeding times and set sleep hours
• 176 pages, the shortest pick here, for a quick read
• Written by a mother of five described as a baby sleep specialist

Cons

• A 2006 first edition, the oldest pick here
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• The description makes strong claims about the method's results

5

Nourishing Traditions Baby Care

Sally Fallon Morell·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 352-page traditional-nutrition take on pregnancy and child care; skip it if you want mainstream pediatrics.

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Pros

• 352 pages covering pregnancy, breastfeeding and child development
• First edition from 2013 with a distinct nutritional philosophy
• Suits parents seeking a traditional approach

Cons

• Covers contested topics like vaccinations and natural treatments
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• A 2013 first edition with no revised edition stated

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More picks to compare

• Indestructibles: Baby PeekabooFor infants who chew books: rip proof, washable, 12 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. These are books for parents, so none of the five list a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best parenting books for infants

Sleep or soothing first

Two picks focus on sleep and crying: The Happiest Baby on the Block teaches Karp’s 5 S’s calming method in a fully revised second edition, while Twelve Hours’ Sleep presents Giordano’s limited-crying plan from a 2006 first edition. If the nights are the crisis, start with one of these. New mothers may also like our best parenting books for new moms.

Development milestones

The Wonder Weeks, in its sixth edition, maps 10 developmental leaps across the first 20 months with checklists and games for parents. It pairs well with a soothing book: one explains why the baby fusses, the other what to do about it. For the full first year, see our best parenting books for first year of life.

Parenting philosophy

Bringing Up Bebe looks at French parenting through a journalist’s notebook from Paris, and The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care takes a traditional-nutrition angle on pregnancy and early childhood. These suit parents who want a worldview, not just a method.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: The Happiest Baby on the Block here is the fully revised second edition, and The Wonder Weeks is the sixth.
• Note the publication date: Twelve Hours’ Sleep is a 2006 first edition, the oldest pick here.
• These are books for parents; none list a reading age or grade level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is best for a newborn who will not sleep?

The Happiest Baby on the Block teaches the 5 S’s calming method, and Twelve Hours’ Sleep presents a limited-crying plan aimed at twelve weeks.

What is The Wonder Weeks about?

It maps 10 developmental leaps across the first 20 months, in a sixth edition with checklists and games.

Are these the current editions?

The Happiest Baby on the Block is the fully revised second edition from 2015, The Wonder Weeks the sixth edition from 2019, Bringing Up Bebe a 2014 reprint, The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care a 2013 first edition, and Twelve Hours’ Sleep a 2006 first edition.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Happiest Baby by Karp

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Related lists

See every self improvement list and all nonfiction lists. Also see our best parenting books for new moms. Also see our best parenting books for new dads.

More lists: first year of life, secure attachment and second child.