The Best Parenting and Health Books That Every Family Should Own

Parenthood is a demanding yet fulfilling phase of life for any human being. There are a lot of changes and transformations that happen almost every day. Whether the parents are expecting or are raising their children, both phases require so much knowledge, not just information. Most of the things are new for both parents, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The right guidance becomes the need of the hour during this time. To help you out on your parenting journey and make things easier, we have curated a list of must-read family health books. Check it out:

1. Bringing Up Your Baby: The Comprehensive Guide for Your Baby's First Year by Komal Porecha

A former writer and the owner of a consultancy and design firm, Komal Porecha has written a unique book combining her personal stories from her pregnancy to the first year of her twins' birth and all the parenting things she learnt while on this journey. There is so much that the new parents get in the form of advice when they are about to deliver or have brought the newborn home. As well-meaning and kind as everyone can be, it can all be a bit overwhelming for the parents, especially the mother, who is already running high on emotions. In response to this, Komal shares simple, easy-to-understand guidance on breastfeeding, doctor visits, diaper changing hacks and ways to regulate the child’s sleep patterns along with the family. Definitely, one of the great health and wellness books for family well-being out there.

2. How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

One of the top emotional intelligence books for parents, this international bestseller is considered by the readers to be the ultimate parenting bible. The book is a simple and practical guide that any parent can easily grasp and use in their everyday life with the kids to get the little ones’ cooperation, express anger without being hurtful and resolve things peacefully. The book teaches parents the art of navigating their emotions while helping the child regulate theirs. Through interesting cartoons and illustrations, and role-playing exercises, a parent can learn how to handle everyday situations with their children and avoid arguments.

3. Between Parent and Child: Revised and Updated: The Bestselling Classic That Revolutionised Parent-Child Communication by Dr. Haim Ginott

Another book that has made it to the list of emotional intelligence books for parents is this classic by Dr. Haim Ginott, a world-renowned clinical psychologist, parent educator and child therapist. This book and others in the series are huge bestsellers and have revolutionised the way parents and teachers relate to their children. Dr. Ginott says that parenting is a skill that can be learned through this book. He goes on to describe in detail the scenarios with children and makes the reader learn how to help recognise their feelings while helping the children also learn how to recognise their own. What’s required is to acknowledge the child’s feelings without offering a rebuttal or blaming them for the situation they have landed themselves in. The idea is to learn how to discipline children without using punishment, sarcasm, bribes and threats, express your anger without hurting them, and respond rather than react to children’s feelings and tantrums.

4. The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Dr Harvey Karp, M.D.

One of the bestselling must-read family health books of all time, ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ reveals the highly effective solutions to baby colic. Dr. Harvey Neil Karp is an American paediatrician who wrote this book along with DVD materials to guide the parents to take care of their infant's constant crying through an automatic switch-off button. He says only the highly skilled professionals and doulas would know of this, and now the parents can use this 5 S's approach of swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking to calm their cranky infants. Karp also teaches how to use these techniques to help the baby sleep longer, and answers many of the questions that parents might have about colic, the right time to turn to a paediatrician, why babies get more upset during the evening, and much more.

5. What To Expect - The First Year by Heidi Murkoff

The must-read family health books list includes this amazing book by Heidi Murkoff. It is a simple guide on how to take care of a baby in its first year of life. Murkoff talks about the easy-to-navigate ways parents can take care of their child, especially beneficial for new parents. The entire book is divided into clear sections according to the age of the baby in months - specific advice, cautions and guidance for each month. There are additional sections that describe well the different ways to keep a baby safe by keeping the apartment clean and baby-proof.

Read More: 10 Must-Read Positive Parenting Books

So, what parenting and health books out of these lot do you find the most helpful for your children?