NYT Parenting: Evidence-Based Guidance for New and Expecting Parents

Editors' Picks

Feeding & Nutrition

Navigating Thanksgiving With Your Picky Eater

Why it’s really O.K. if your child eats only rolls (again) this year.

The writer and her daughter in their kitchen.

Feeding & Nutrition

This Food Writer Owes Parents an Apology

Before I had a kid, I would breezily tell people to make a three-course meal in 30-minutes. My bad.

Health & Wellness

Postpartum Depression Can Be Dangerous. Here’s How to Recognize It and Seek Treatment.

The sooner this serious mental health issue is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated. Knowing your risk factors is the first step.

Children’s Health

Help Your Child Overcome Their Fears

Kids can have phobias about needles, dogs, darkness and more. Here’s how to help them cope.

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Feeding

This Food Writer Owes Parents an Apology

Before I had a kid, I would breezily tell people to make a three-course meal in 30-minutes. My bad.

Navigating Thanksgiving With Your Picky Eater

Why it’s really O.K. if your child eats only rolls (again) this year.

Even Without a Home, We Always Had a Family Meal

Actor Misha Collins remembers a nomadic childhood grounded only by his mother’s cooking.

You Can Treat Your Postpartum Depression and Still Breastfeed

Despite improved awareness and screening practices, many women with perinatal mood disorders still go untreated.

Sleep

The Exhaustion Is Real

Why more sleep isn’t always the answer.

Do New Moms Dream Differently After Giving Birth?

Everyone knows that having a baby can ravage your sleep, but researchers are just starting to examine what happens to your dreams.

Don’t Worry Too Much About Your Little Thumb-Sucker

Babies who soothe themselves with their fingers are champion sleepers, and dental problems often self-correct.

How to Prepare Your Kid for the End of Daylight Saving Time

For parents of small children, ‘falling back’ doesn’t mean an extra hour in bed. But the right plan can help ease the change.

Children's Health

Help Your Child Overcome Their Fears

Kids can have phobias about needles, dogs, darkness and more. Here’s how to help them cope.

How Do I Know If My Kid Needs Antibiotics?

Research suggests that drug-resistant infections among children are on the rise. Here’s how you can avoid overusing these medications.

Do Babies Cry in Different Languages?

A pioneering German researcher decodes newborns’ cries. Here’s what they reveal.

Dr. Kathleen Wermke, head of Würzburg University Clinic’s Center for Pre-Speech Development and Developmental Disorders, records baby sounds from 6-month-old Lara in a sound booth at her lab.

Should You Screen Your Child for Celiac Disease?

Some kids have symptoms for years before learning they have the condition, but experts have said that screening everyone in childhood may not be the best answer.

Relationships

Josh and Marilyn Ong saw “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” for Marilyn’s birthday. — via Josh Ong

Embrace the ‘Microdate’ and Other Couples’ Strategies for Connecting After Kids

NYT Parenting readers shared how they keep their relationships alive after having kids.

Saying ‘No’ Is Self-Care for Parents

Facing parental burnout? Use the magic word.

My Dream of Motherhood Was Eclipsed by Widowhood

Surprisingly, grieving the death of a spouse mirrors the emotional landmines of new parenthood.

I Didn’t Bond With My Baby Right Away

Despite my high hopes, it took time and patience to connect with my infant. And I’m not alone.

The writer’s husband with their baby girl.

Work And Money

What New Parents Should Know Before Tax Season

Here’s an overview of the child tax credit and other things you should know about as a new parent during open enrollment season.

Have a Baby and Still Want to Get Things Done?

Embrace the ‘split shift,’ focus on high-value tasks and, above all, lower your standards.

A Simple Trick to Reset Your Post-Baby Budget

A basic spreadsheet can help new parents save more and get on the same page about their finances.

How to Tell Your Boss You’re Pregnant

Prepare yourself for both positive and negative reactions before sharing your happy news.

Culture

Why Do Kids Love Terrible Music?

It turns out there’s a good reason my children request songs that are repetitive, silly and lowbrow. I’m trying to get onboard.

Is It Too Soon to Give My Kid a Tablet?

There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to the question, but here are several things to consider before buying your child their own electronic device.

Your Kid Trusts Humans More Than the Internet

Preschoolers love talking to Siri and Alexa, but don’t take them seriously.

Is It Bad to Take So Many Pictures of My Kid?

Take all the photos you want, experts say, but there are three things to consider as you document your child’s life.

Personal Stories

This Food Writer Owes Parents an Apology

Before I had a kid, I would breezily tell people to make a three-course meal in 30-minutes. My bad.

Why Do Kids Love Terrible Music?

It turns out there’s a good reason my children request songs that are repetitive, silly and lowbrow. I’m trying to get onboard.

The Ongoing Trauma of Prematurity

Dr. Jen Gunter on why we need to start talking about the difficult aftermath of those long NICU stays and medical interventions.

When Your Parenting Instincts Pay Off

NYT Parenting readers share stories about overcoming parental impostor syndrome.

Yoo-Lee Yea with her husband and two children in May 2019

The Latest

How Do I Know If My Kid Needs Antibiotics?

Research suggests that drug-resistant infections among children are on the rise. Here’s how you can avoid overusing these medications.

Why Do Kids Love Terrible Music?

It turns out there’s a good reason my children request songs that are repetitive, silly and lowbrow. I’m trying to get onboard.

The Ongoing Trauma of Prematurity

Dr. Jen Gunter on why we need to start talking about the difficult aftermath of those long NICU stays and medical interventions.

Do Babies Cry in Different Languages?

A pioneering German researcher decodes newborns’ cries. Here’s what they reveal.