Here are the most popular parenting books
Raising kids is one of life’s greatest adventures—and challenges. Whether you’re navigating tantrums, fostering emotional intelligence, or just looking for some encouragement, these parenting books provide expert advice, heartfelt stories, and practical strategies. Curated based on parent recommendations, this list covers everything from newborn care to raising resilient teens.

1
Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children
1971
137
(By Sarah Napthali) Combines Buddhist philosophy with practical parenting advice to help mothers find patience, mindfulness, and joy in parenting while managing stress.

2
What to Expect the First Year
1900
114
(By Heidi Murkoff) A follow-up to What to Expect When You’re Expecting, this book provides a month-by-month guide to a baby's first year, covering developmental milestones, feeding, sleep, health concerns, and parental self-care.

3
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
1928
259
(By Heidi Murkoff) One of the most popular pregnancy guides, this book provides expectant parents with a month-by-month breakdown of pregnancy changes, fetal development, diet, exercise, and medical concerns. It includes advice on labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.

4
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
1873
209
(By Roger Harms) A trusted source of medical advice, this book provides a month-by-month guide to pregnancy, covering everything from prenatal care to labor and delivery. The Mayo Clinic team offers up-to-date information, expert guidance, and tips for a healthy pregnancy.

5
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
1761
111
(By Harvey Karp) A groundbreaking guide on calming newborns and improving sleep. Dr. Karp introduces the “5 S’s” technique—swaddling, side-stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking—to help soothe crying infants and simulate the womb environment.

6
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
1852
215
(By Joanna Faber) A practical guide to communicating with young children in ways that encourage cooperation and understanding. This book offers techniques for managing tantrums, guiding behavior, and nurturing emotional intelligence while reducing stress for parents.

7
The Five Love Languages of Children
1784
155
(By Gary Chapman) Based on the bestselling The Five Love Languages, this book helps parents identify their child's primary love language and use it to build stronger connections and improve communication.

8
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
1751
144
(By William Sears) A comprehensive, research-backed guide to baby care, covering topics such as breastfeeding, sleep, development, bonding, and health. Written by pediatrician William Sears, this book emphasizes attachment parenting and offers practical advice for nurturing a secure and happy child.

9
Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion
1878
273
(By Dale McGowan) A unique parenting book for secular families, offering guidance on raising ethical, compassionate, and curious children without religion. It covers topics like moral development, dealing with religious relatives, and fostering critical thinking.

10
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
1876
278
(By Marc Weissbluth) A sleep-training guide that explains the science of sleep and offers strategies to help babies and toddlers develop healthy sleep patterns. The book includes customized sleep solutions for different ages and sleep challenges.

11
Playful Parenting: An Exciting New Approach to Raising Children That Will Help You Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and Encourage Confidence
1687
168
(By Lawrence J. Cohen) Encourages parents to use play as a tool to connect with their children, solve behavioral issues, and build confidence. The book provides techniques for reducing power struggles, handling tantrums, and making parenting more joyful.

12
For the Love of Discipline: When the Gospel Meets Tantrums and Time-Outs
1653
187
(By Sara Wallace) A faith-based parenting book that integrates biblical principles with discipline techniques, focusing on guiding children’s hearts rather than just correcting behavior.

13
The Fussy Baby Book: Parenting Your High-Need Child From Birth to Age Five
1604
171
(By William Sears) A guide for parents of high-needs babies, offering reassurance and strategies for managing colic, frequent crying, and intense temperament while promoting a strong parent-child bond.

14
Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline
1545
208
(By Barbara Coloroso) This book emphasizes the importance of teaching children self-discipline, respect, and responsibility. Coloroso advocates for an approach that balances love, discipline, and communication, helping children develop inner strength and confidence.

15
NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
1545
219
(By Po Bronson) A thought-provoking book that challenges conventional parenting wisdom with scientific research on child development. It covers topics such as praise, sleep, lying, intelligence, and self-control, offering surprising insights into how children think and grow.

16
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
1455
158
(By Elizabeth Pantley) A gentle and effective alternative to sleep-training methods, this book provides step-by-step strategies to help babies and toddlers sleep through the night without resorting to "cry-it-out" techniques. It includes sleep logs, tips for different age groups, and troubleshooting solutions.

17
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
1411
130
(By Adele Faber) A widely acclaimed parenting book that teaches effective communication techniques to help parents build trust, encourage cooperation, and resolve conflicts without yelling or punishment. The book includes real-life examples, exercises, and strategies for strengthening parent-child relationships.

18
Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves: Transforming Parent-Child Relationships from Reaction and Struggle to Freedom, Power and Joy
1290
150
(By Naomi Aldort) Aldort explores the dynamics of the parent-child relationship and advocates for a more peaceful and respectful approach to discipline. She offers a transformative perspective that emphasizes emotional attunement and mutual understanding between parents and children.

19
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
1279
181
(By Bill Watterson) A complete collection of the beloved comic strip about the imaginative adventures of Calvin, a mischievous boy, and Hobbes, his wise and sardonic tiger. This anthology captures the humor, depth, and charm of one of the most iconic comic strips in history.

20
Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene
1152
59
(By Ingrid Bauer) This book introduces the concept of infant potty training, also known as elimination communication, which encourages parents to respond to their baby’s natural cues and avoid the use of diapers. Bauer provides practical advice and tips for parents interested in this natural approach to infant hygiene.

21
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby
1207
132
(By Tracy Hogg) A guide to understanding and communicating with your baby, focusing on methods to calm and soothe infants, establish healthy sleep patterns, and foster secure attachment. Tracy Hogg’s practical advice is designed to help new parents feel confident in their caregiving.

22
Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life
1094
74
(By Peter O. Gray) Argues for a child-led approach to education, emphasizing the importance of play, curiosity, and self-directed learning in fostering creativity and resilience.

23
Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too
1140
123
(By Adele Faber) A practical and insightful book that helps parents manage sibling conflicts and foster healthy relationships. Using real-life stories and exercises, it offers strategies to reduce jealousy, competition, and resentment among siblings.

24
The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby
1061
72
(By Martha Sears) A guide to attachment parenting, emphasizing practices like babywearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, and positive discipline to promote a secure parent-child bond and healthy emotional development.

25
Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls
1031
52
(By Mary Pipher) A groundbreaking book about the challenges adolescent girls face, including societal pressures, mental health struggles, and self-esteem issues. It offers insights into how parents can support their daughters.

26
Strong As a Mother: How to Stay Healthy, Happy, and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenthood
1057
149
(By Kate Rope) A guide that focuses on maternal well-being during pregnancy and early motherhood. Rope offers practical advice on self-care, mental health, and managing the overwhelming responsibilities of motherhood without sacrificing personal health and happiness.

27
Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent
977
71
(By Meredith Small) An anthropological look at parenting across cultures, this book explores how different societies raise children and how biology and culture shape parenting practices. It challenges Western norms and provides alternative perspectives on baby care.

28
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
810
53
(By Alfie Kohn) Advocates for a parenting approach that moves beyond rewards and punishments, focusing instead on building a strong, respectful relationship with children. Kohn encourages parents to nurture intrinsic motivation, emotional intelligence, and moral development.

29
Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills
797
40
(By Jane Nelsen) A guide to parenting that emphasizes mutual respect, non-punitive discipline, and problem-solving. The book provides practical tools for raising confident, responsible, and well-behaved children without threats or punishment.

30
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12
828
77
(By Thomas W. Phelan) A straightforward discipline strategy that helps parents manage behavior through clear rules, consequences, and minimal conflict. The book outlines a step-by-step approach to reducing tantrums and defiance.

31
Parenting With Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility
809
86
(By Foster W. Cline) A practical guide that helps parents raise responsible children by allowing them to experience natural consequences. The book emphasizes setting clear expectations, offering choices, and fostering problem-solving skills.

32
On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep
749
73
(By Gary Ezzo) A controversial yet popular book that promotes a structured routine for infant feeding and sleep to encourage independent sleep habits. It provides guidance on establishing a predictable schedule.

33
Between Parent and Child
691
54
(By Haim G. Ginott) A classic book on parent-child communication, teaching respectful, empathetic, and effective ways to discipline and connect with children. It provides insights into fostering emotional intelligence and problem-solving.

34
The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost
727
94
(By Jean Liedloff) A transformative exploration of the natural parenting methods observed in indigenous cultures. Liedloff contrasts Western parenting with a more attachment-based approach that emphasizes constant physical contact, intuitive caregiving, and respect for the child’s emotional development.

35
The Wonder Weeks: How to Turn Your Baby’s 8 Great Fussy Phases into Magical Leaps Forward
683
100
(By Frans X. Plooij) A developmental guide that explains the ten major mental leaps in a baby's first 20 months, helping parents understand and navigate fussy phases, cognitive growth, and emotional development.

36
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic
635
83
(By Mary Sheedy Kurcinka) A must-read for parents of high-energy, strong-willed, or sensitive children. This book provides strategies for understanding and managing intense emotions, improving communication, and fostering positive behavior.

37
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor
575
72
(By Robert S. Mendelsohn) A controversial parenting book that challenges conventional medical advice, focusing on holistic approaches to health. Dr. Mendelsohn encourages parents to trust their instincts and provides practical advice on managing health concerns without over-relying on pediatricians or medications.

38
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
545
81
(By Kim John Payne) Advocates for reducing clutter, distractions, and overstimulation in children's lives to foster creativity, resilience, and emotional well-being. It offers guidance on creating a peaceful home environment.

39
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
442
29
(By Laura Markham) This book provides parents with effective tools to foster emotional connections with their children and manage behavioral challenges without resorting to yelling or punishment. Dr. Markham offers a calm, compassionate approach to discipline and emotional regulation.

40
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
421
35
(By La Leche League International) A trusted resource for breastfeeding mothers, offering advice on latching, milk supply, common breastfeeding challenges, and weaning. It also covers the emotional and health benefits of breastfeeding, making it a go-to guide for new mothers.

41
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
370
43
(By Henci Goer) A detailed guide to childbirth options, focusing on evidence-based practices and dispelling myths about medical interventions. Goer emphasizes informed decision-making, helping women navigate their birth experiences with confidence and a better understanding of their choices.

42
What’s Going On in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life
334
37
(By Lise Eliot) A comprehensive look at the development of the brain and mind during the first five years of life. Dr. Eliot breaks down the complex science behind early brain development and offers practical advice for nurturing children’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth.

43
Baby and Child Care
271
23
(By Benjamin Spock) A classic and influential parenting book that has guided generations of parents with advice on child development, discipline, and health. Dr. Spock’s empathetic and reassuring approach revolutionized modern parenting.

44
Baby Sleep Book
209
13
(By William Sears) Written by renowned pediatrician William Sears, this book provides practical advice on how to help babies and toddlers sleep well. It covers sleep schedules, common sleep issues, and attachment-based methods to encourage restful sleep for both parents and children.

45
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
190
27
(By Gordon Neufeld) Dr. Neufeld argues that children are increasingly influenced by their peers rather than their parents, which can lead to emotional and behavioral issues. This book provides parents with tools to reclaim their role as primary attachment figures and nurture healthy relationships with their children.

46
Parent Effectiveness Training: The Proven Program for Raising Responsible Children
159
23
(By Thomas Gordon) A comprehensive guide to parent-child communication, focusing on non-judgmental listening and problem-solving. Dr. Gordon’s method helps parents raise responsible children by promoting mutual respect, cooperation, and conflict resolution without resorting to punishment.

47
5 Kids, 1 Wife
135
8
(By Scott Tennant) A humorous and candid look at parenting, written by a father of five. Scott Tennant shares his personal experiences, challenges, and the joys of raising a large family with wit and insight. The book offers practical advice for parents facing the daily chaos of a busy household.