Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

Oster, an economist, applies the principles of data analysis to various aspects of child-rearing. In the book’s introduction, she establishes her authority by drawing connections between her work as an economist and her role as a guide to the challenges of parenthood: “I’m an economist; a professor whose work focuses on health economics. In my day job I analyze data, trying to tease causality out of the relationships I study” (xv). The underlying premise is that parents can make more informed decisions by critically examining available data, scientific studies, and statistical insights. Oster takes on prevalent parenting myths and conventional wisdom, dissecting them through the lens of empirical evidence. Throughout the book, she explores often controversial topics, including breastfeeding, sleep training, screen time, and vaccination. These can be fraught choices for parents, who must confront myths, stereotypes, and moral judgments that often carry classist and misogynistic undertones. Oster’s central claim is that by focusing on empirical data, parents can cut through the cultural noise and make sound decisions.

This theme is particularly evident in her exploration of breastfeeding, where Oster delves into scientific studies, scrutinizes statistical outcomes, and offers a balanced