The best 16 Family Planning books

This book is about the importance of children’s first relationships, especially with their primary caregiver, typically the mother. It offers insights into the ways that attachment can positively or negatively affect children’s development, and offers a great deal of scientific research on important findings concerning attachment.

• Anyone interested in psychology
• Anyone interested in child care
• Parents or anyone about to become a parent

It might sound too good to be true, but in France, babies and children sleep through the night, eat their vegetables and do what their parents tell them. In Bringing Up Bébé (2011), Pamela Druckerman, an American mother living in Paris, reveals the French parenting secrets she uncovered in her time abroad.

• Parents and parents-to-be
• Francophiles
• Anyone who works with preschool age children

Common Sense Pregnancy (2015) reveals all you need to know about the surprises that await you during the magical experience of pregnancy and childbirth. There are many things to consider, including what to eat, who to call for help and what kind of childbirth you want to have. So empower yourself with knowledge and get a good idea of what to expect.

• Pregnant women
• Health care providers
• Readers curious about pregnancy and childbirth

The Fifth Trimester (2017) is packed with advice and tips for new mothers on how to successfully return to work after their maternity leave. Covering important details like what clothes to wear, how to pick the best day care and how to feed your baby even when you’re not with it, the book draws on the author’s own experiences as well as interviews with other new moms. This is a practical and inspirational self-help guide for new mothers who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of returning to their job.

• Pregnant women or new moms returning to work
• Employers and managers who want to create a family-friendly working environment
• New fathers who want to support their partners

Cribsheet (2019) provides a unique and insightful perspective on early-childhood parenting – that of an economist. Given its focus on decision-making, cost and benefit analysis, risk assessment, and data interpretation, the academic discipline of economics provides a surprisingly useful framework for thinking about the difficult decisions that new parents have to make when raising their babies.

• Soon-to-be parents trying to think ahead about parenting decisions
• Current parents already wrestling with those decisions  
• Would-be parents wondering if they want to deal with those decisions in the first place

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) (2019) is exactly what it sounds like: a book on raising children and a trove of practical knowledge that you can’t help thinking your childhood would have benefited from. Spotlighting mental health and emotional development, this book takes an alternative approach to parenting that’s apt for our modern world.

• Parents who want to improve their kid’s childhood
• Parents-to-be wishing to reduce the learning curve
• Your inner child

Weird Parenting Wins (2019) shows you how not to lose it while bringing up your kids – all you need is a little craziness. That means being creative and playful. Children approach life ready to deploy their imagination at every turn, and this book in blinks shows how you can be just as imaginative. You’ll find ways to make life easier for the whole family and even have fun in the process.

• Overwhelmed parents
• Anyone who is planning a family and wants to be prepared
• Caregivers and guardians

She Has Her Mother’s Laugh (2018) probes the contemporary understanding of genetics and heredity, and provides an accessible history of the subject from the time of the Ancient Greeks onwards. Author Carl Zimmer also looks to the future, forecasting genetic developments on the horizon and unpacking what they might mean for humanity.

• Science enthusiasts who want to round out their understanding of genetics and DNA
• History buffs who enjoy reading about science and medicine
• Amateur genealogists with an interest in getting to the roots of their family trees

HypnoBirthing (1992) explores how expectant mothers can enjoy a more comfortable, joyful childbirth. These blinks provide simple hypnotherapy techniques that pregnant women can practice at home. They also uncover the guiding philosophy of HypnoBirthing and reveal how it can help women to have a natural, less painful birthing experience.

• Expectant mothers
• Partners or birth coaches of pregnant women 
• Health care professionals looking for a fresh perspective

Why Love Matters (2004) is a study of how our early years shape who we become later in life. But this isn’t about rehashing the old nature-versus-nurture debate. As we’ll see in these blinks, the weight of scientific evidence points to a much more fascinating conclusion: that we’re “co-produced” by genetics and social experience during babyhood. This means that many of the social and psychological problems that affect us as adults can be traced back to these formative years.

• Mental health professionals
• Parents with babies or toddlers
• Would-be mothers and fathers

It Starts with the Egg (2014) demystifies the science behind egg quality and how it impacts outcomes for fertility and pregnancy. In bringing together a range of reputable studies, it offers evidence-based advice on how to make simple lifestyle changes that will improve egg quality and optimize fertility.

• Prospective parents thinking about trying for a baby
• Couples who’ve been trying for months without a positive pregnancy test
• Anyone facing fertility challenges

We’re Pregnant! (2018) answers all those questions first-time dads scratch their heads over. It shows you how to tackle daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to provide strategic support to your partner throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

• First-time dads seeking practical advice on how to support their partners during pregnancy and childbirth
• Dads keen on acing the next pregnancy
• Anyone trying to understand the challenges women experience during pregnancy

Moms on Call (2012) offers invaluable insights from experienced nurses into the multifaceted world of parenthood. Dive deep into expert advice on sleep routines, feeding regimens, health challenges, and child safety. Empower yourself with tried-and-true strategies, ensuring confidence and calm on your parenting journey.

• New parents seeking sleep and feeding routines
• Caregivers wanting infant health tips
• Pediatric nursing and childcare students

The Power Pause (2025) explores how women can navigate career breaks after motherhood with intention and confidence. It offers practical advice, personal stories, and strategies to help navigate the challenges of pausing a career, finding purpose in new roles, and planning a successful return to work. Through its thoughtful insights, it empowers women to embrace the pause as a powerful choice rather than a setback.

• Ambitious mothers planning a temporary career pause
• Supportive partners seeking to understand career breaks
• Anyone exploring modern motherhood and careers

The Baby Book (1993) is a comprehensive guide to infant and toddler care, emphasizing a nurturing, responsive approach known as attachment parenting. It covers topics like breastfeeding, co-sleeping, babywearing, and understanding a child’s cues to foster a strong parent-child bond. With practical advice and medical insights, it encourages parents to trust their instincts and create a loving, supportive environment for their baby’s development.

• New parents seeking guidance on infant care
• Breastfeeding mothers looking for expert advice and support
• Anyone wanting a broader perspective on caring for babies and young children

How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids (2017) explores the strain that parenthood places on modern marriages, especially the imbalance of domestic labor and emotional load. It weaves together personal anecdotes, expert advice, and ample humor to offer practical strategies for better navigating marital conflict and resentment. 

• New parents navigating their “new” relationship 
• Expecting parents preparing for the changes ahead 
• Therapists or counselors supporting young families