Parenthood is one of the most exciting chapters of life, full of new experiences and learned lessons. That being said, it’s a journey that can also feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there are plenty of books that provide helpful hints and practical wisdom when it comes to raising a child. From newborn care manuals to baby food cookbooks to customizable memory books, here are the best baby books for parents.
Table of Contents
7 Best Baby Books for Parents (2025 Reviews)
Best Baby Books for Parents
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1. The Newborn Handbook: Your Guide to Bringing Home Baby by Dr. Smita Malhotra
(Best for first time parents — $)
Why it’s great: Written by a pediatrician (and parent), this book incorporates medical expertise and personal wisdom. Starting with the months leading up your baby’s birth, this book is designed to not only help parents prepare for their new arrival but guide them through the first few months of having a baby at home. Organized in a sequential structure, this book leads parents and caregivers through their little one’s development one week at a time. Parents praise this book for providing helpful resources and advice on a wide range of newborn subjects.
Keep in mind: This book only covers baby’s first three months as it’s intended to be a deep dive into newborn care.
Good for: All types of parents and caregivers as this book strives to offer advice that is inclusive and applicable to a wide variety of family structures.
![The Newborn Handbook: Your Guide to Bringing Home Baby by Dr. Smita Malhotra]()
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2. All-Organic Baby Food Cookbook: First Time Parent’s Guide to Nutritious Foods for Every Age and Stage by Leah Bodenbach RN BSN
(Best baby cookbook — $$)
Why it’s great: This book, written by a holistic health coach and registered nurse, is chock full of healthy recipes and valuable advice for feeding your baby their first solids. Written as a step-by-step guide, this book offers an overview of your little one’s nutritional needs and includes 125 nutritious recipes. This book also provides tips and tricks for eating organic, navigating food intolerances and allergies, and tackling baby led weaning.
Keep in mind: This book emphasizes eating organic foods but is not a plant-based or vegan cookbook.
Good for: Parents who are preparing to start solids with their little one.
![All-Organic Baby Food Cookbook: First Time Parent’s Guide to Nutritious Foods for Every Age and Stage by Leah Bodenbach RN BSN]()
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3. The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year by Dawn Dais
(Most humorous — $$)
Why it’s great: Written in a funny and approachable tone, this book offers real advice from real moms. Tackling a plethora of parenting issues, including breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and marriage post-baby, this book doesn’t shy away from tough or taboo topics. From humorous anecdotes to helpful parenting hacks, this book is hilariously honest and genuinely uplifting.
Keep in mind: Some readers report that this book is more entertaining than it is informational.
Good for: Parents with a sense of humor who want the insider scoop on the tougher topics related to parenting.
![The Sh!t No One Tells You: A Guide to Surviving Your Baby’s First Year by Dawn Dais]()
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4. As You Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Baby by Paige Tate & Co.
(Most creative — $$$)
Why it’s great: This baby memory book functions as a journal, milestone marker, and beautiful family keepsake. Lauded for its elegant aesthetic and high-quality design, this book provides guided writing prompts that encourage parents to reflect on all the important occurrences in their baby’s life, from birth to age five. Designed to be gender-neutral and applicable to a diverse range of family structures, this baby memory book is something that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Keep in mind: This isn’t a book to read but rather a book to write!
Good for: Gifting to new parents as this book provides a beautiful and special way to mark a baby’s important milestones.
![A Modern Memory Book for Baby]()
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5. Baby Sign Language Made Easy: 101 Signs to Start Communicating with Your Child Now by Lane Rebelo
(Best baby sign language book — $)
Why it’s great: One of the most popular and highly rated baby sign language books on the market, this book teaches parents how to communicate with their babies without using words. Featuring 101 introductory signs, this book is perfect for American Sign Language beginners and includes signs for a wide range of everyday topics and activities. Proven to aid baby’s cognitive development, sign language is an effective way to jumpstart their language and social skills.
Keep in mind: This book is written for beginners and includes only the most basic signs.
Good for: Parents interested in learning a new skill alongside their little one.
![Baby Sign Language Made Easy: 101 Signs to Start Communicating with Your Child Now by Lane Rebelo]()
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6. Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents
(Best book for parents to read together — $$)
Why it’s great: Written by a psychologist and a relationship expert, this book is intended to help new parents navigate raising a child together. This book explores the issues and challenges that can come up for couples once a new baby enters the picture and offers practical guidance on how to overcome them. Parents praise this book for being honest and relatable as well as a useful roadmap for co-parenting strategies.
Keep in mind: This book is more geared towards parenting behavior rather than baby behavior.
Good for: Couples who are raising a baby together.
![Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents]()
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7. Baby 411: Your Baby, Birth to Age 1! by Dr. Ari Brown and Denise Fields
(Easiest to read — $$)
Why it’s great: Simple and straight-forward, this book is designed to be a FAQ manual for new parents. Revised and updated to reflect the most up-to-date information possible, this book covers infant nutrition, sleep, and first aid, as well as more specific queries, such as how to choose a pediatrician and tips to increase mom’s milk supply. Recommended by parents and pediatricians alike, this book covers everything you’ll need to know about your baby’s first year of life.
Keep in mind: Some readers report this book isn’t well-organized, making it tough to find the topic you want to read about.
Good for: Parents looking for a bed-side baby reference.
![Baby 411: Your Baby, Birth to Age 1! by Dr. Ari Brown and Denise Fields]()
Best Overall
The Newborn Handbook: Your Guide to Bringing Home Baby by Dr. Smita Malhotra
The The Newborn Handbook: Your Guide to Bringing Home Baby by Dr. Smita Malhotra is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
FAQs about Baby Books for Parents
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1. What should I consider when purchasing a baby book for parents?
Baby books for parents span a wide range of topics. Depending on your little one’s age and stage, some books may be more helpful than others. For example, some books are intended for parents of newborns while other books guide parents through starting solids or learning sign language. More than just content, you’ll want to decide what kind of tone and writing style works for you as some books are meant be funny and entertaining while others strive to provide more formal parenting advice and medical expertise. Additionally, some books are written only with baby in mind while other books offer advice for parents looking to improve their mental health, marriage, or post-baby lifestyle.
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2. What topics are covered in baby books for parents?
There are a wide variety of topics covered in baby books for parents. Some books focus entirely on child development while others function as a journal and memory book, with customizable milestone markers. Some books aim to offer nutritional advice while others focus on parents’ mental health. Depending on what kind of advice or information you’re looking for, there is sure to be a book designed to address it.
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3. What’s the best baby book to gift to new parents?
New parents will benefit from any book related to parenting. That being said, books that cover newborn care or seek to support parents through the struggles that come with such a big lifestyle change may be especially helpful. Baby memory books are also a great gift for new parents as they allow parents to track their little one’s growth and reflect on their many momentous milestones.
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4. Is it important for parents to read baby books?
While it’s not imperative for parents to read baby books, it can be incredibly helpful. Not only do baby books for parents provide useful insight and information about raising a child, but many aim to offer wisdom and support through a humorous or uplifting writing style.
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5. How can I tell if a baby book is worth reading?
They say you should never judge a book by its cover, so how can you tell if a book is worth reading? It’s often useful to read the product description or chapter overview to see if a book covers the topics you’re interested in learning about. Even when shopping online, you can usually read a few sample pages to get a gist for the writing style and tone. It can also be helpful to read customer reviews from parents who have already read the book.
Conclusion
Parenting is a rewarding, if challenging, venture. Thankfully, there is a wide selection of books available that offer wisdom, guidance, and medical expertise on the subject. Baby books for parents run the gamut when it comes to genre and include cookbooks, psychology books, baby development manuals, and even memory books. No matter what stage of the journey you’re in, there’s bound to be a book that offers tips and tricks to get you through it. Many baby books for parents strive to be accessible and uplifting, and some even employ humor to get their points across. So, whether you’re brushing up on your baby sign language skills or working on your co-parenting relationship, rest assured, there’s definitely a book out there for you.
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