Resources
Books, podcasts, apps, and experts I actually trust. Data-backed, therapy-aligned, no fear-mongering. These are the sources that helped us make decisions based on reality, not panic headlines.
Books
I recommend listening to these in the car. I never got round to reading the physical books.
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
Essential reading for anyone who plans on getting pregnant. Breaks down the data so you can make the right choices for you and your baby. Everyone on the internet has opinions, much of it coming from misinformation. This is the antidote.
Crib Sheets by Emily Oster
More focused on parenting (while "Expecting Better" is pregnancy focused). A must read, if only so that you don't feel badly about putting your child into care. There are always awful panic headlines circulating around parenting - it's nice to have actual data to lean on.
Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
Lots of great tips, but the two best are the "pause method" (essential for starting good sleep habits from the start) and the mindset of how to actually enjoy being a parent. Culturally, Americans are statistically less likely to enjoy parenting than French counterparts. This book helps with that.
The pause method
This method (while difficult in the moment) meant that Forest was basically sleep trained within the first 2 weeks. I am worthless on no sleep, so this was a big one for us.
Online Resources
Parent Data (Emily Oster)
Emily Oster's online resource where you can check the actual data on panic headlines and make educated decisions for your family. Every parent should sign up. Make decisions based on clinical studies, not rumors.
Good Inside (Dr. Becky)
My therapist recommended this resource. Dr. Becky is a clinical psychologist who helps break down techniques and data to help us be happier parents building resilient children. Her ethos resonates with us - she treats parents as humans, not just caregivers.
Big Little Feelings
I first got hooked via their Instagram, but have since purchased their courses and listened to their podcast. Much like Dr. Becky, they're focused on supporting parents as they build resilient, happy, well-adjusted children.
Podcasts
Mum's The Word
My therapist recommended this. I had a lot of fear going into motherhood - would I like being a mum? How do I break the toxic culture I was raised in? How will my life change? Listening to this actually helped with a lot of that anxiety. Start at the beginning!
Apps
Flo App
Period and ovulation tracking. Using Flo (where I logged ovulation strips) completely changed my fertility journey. It transforms into a pregnancy app once you're pregnant!
Yuka
Barcode scanner to check chemicals in products and food. It was wild realizing what was in my Kiehl's moisturizers. Had to do a bit of an overhaul.
Nanit
Baby monitor app. We liked this one because it does breath monitoring, and if you have a second child, you can add two cameras on the same plan.
Baby Tracker
Track feeds, diapers, sleep. It's hard to remember which breast you last fed from when you're sleep deprived. The first week, pediatricians will ask how often baby is feeding - this makes it easy.
Wonder Weeks
Developmental milestone tracker. Surprisingly accurate at warning you about "fussy stages." Helps you feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel during regressions. Note: every kid is different, don't flip out if yours isn't tracking exactly.
Solid Starts
Track what foods your child has eaten and any reactions. Essential when you're introducing solids and watching for allergies.
Babylist
The best way to set up your registry and track who gave you what (for thank you notes). Universal registry - can add items from anywhere.
Local Resources (Los Angeles)
If you're in LA, these are the specific providers we loved.
Glendale Pediatrics
Our pediatrician. We, along with a bunch of our friends, love them.
Erica Hunt (Postpartum Doula)
Worth her weight in solid gold. If you pay for anything, invest in a postpartum doula. Erica does body work/massage too. We had her come 2x a week at 6hrs a day. Life-changing.
Hooper Acupuncture (Highland Park)
So many friends swear this turned around their fertility journey. Could be coincidence, but both my pregnancies I conceived within my second session.
Dr. Cressey at Smith Chiropractic
He's an unusual fellow, but when I was rear-ended during pregnancy, he really helped. When my husband had herniated disks, relief in less than a week. Worth getting realigned before/after birth.
Village Birth
Great courses for first-time parents, including Red Cross baby choking course. We found our birth doula and acupuncturist through them. The owner is super responsive.
Evone Smith at New North
Lactation consultant. Breastfeeding is hard, especially in the beginning. Within the first week, if you're not confident about your milk supply, don't wait to call the experts.
A note on resources
These are resources that align with my philosophy: data over panic, kindness over judgment, and practical help over performative advice. They won't all resonate with everyone, and that's fine.
If you have resources that have helped you, that's great. The goal is to make decisions based on information you trust, not to follow anyone's specific list (including mine).
The filter
If a resource makes you feel more anxious, more judged, or more unsure of your instincts - it's probably not the right resource for you. Good information should make you feel more capable, not less.