Eat Sleep Tantrum Repeat: How to Parent Like a Pediatrician and Keep Your Toddler Happy and Healthy

by Rebekah Diamond

Written with a doctor’s expertise and a working mom’s empathy, this stress-free, scientific, and safe guide from the author of Parent like a Pediatrician is a one-stop resource for parenting through the “terrible twos” and “threenager” years, while keeping it fun for everyone. Congratulations! You’ve survived the first twelve months of parenthood, along with all the joys, worry, and sleep deprivation they bring. Welcome to the toddler years—and a whole new set of challenges. From toilet training, picky eating, and naptime to separation anxiety, screen time, and (whisper it) tantrums, toddlerhood brings developmental milestones and decisions that can feel totally daunting, especially in this golden age of mommy bloggers, parenting podcasts, and fear-mongering posts. How can you feel confident and empowered in your choices when there is so much at stake? As both an experienced pediatrician and a mother, Rebekah Diamond understands the need for a childrearing approach that keeps things simple, without sacrificing science or safety. Just as she did in her first book, Parent Like a Pediatrician, which focused on your baby’s first year, she cuts through the noise to tackle the wonders and hardships of raising a toddler. Instead of strict guidelines and overwhelming commands, Dr. Diamond offers advice that is medically sound, inclusive, and realistic for busy parents. There is no single “right” away to parent, but Eat Sleep Tantrum Repeat will show you how to create a way that is right for you and your child, and make these toddler years safe, science-approved, and joyful.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

I was born in New York City but spent most of my childhood in Connecticut. After high school I stayed local and received my undergraduate degree from Yale University, and then my M.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Following completion of my pediatrics residency training at the University of Michigan, I accepted a position as a pediatric hospitalist in New York City and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University, where I still work today.

My training and practice mean that it is literally my job to stay up to date on all of the data behind what experts say are the safest and best choices for parents to make for their children.

I’m also a mother of a young daughter, and know firsthand the challenge of sorting through conflicting pediatrician and internet recommendations. It’s why I’m here to explain how pediatrician parents actually raise their own kids so you can make the safest, sanest choices for your little ones.

Yes, the Internet broke parenting. But I’m here to fix it.

Reviews

[Jade Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a quick read that I felt went straight to the point for each topic which was a refreshing change. A lot of parenting books I've read get sidetracked in their storytelling. I also enjoyed how the author did not provide any mom guilt or shaming regarding the different decisions that we have to make in our daily lives. Overall this book was an encouraging read with some great points in it about toddlers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me an arc.

[Cynic Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any parent who has had a childless pediatrician can tell you that the advice from them is not always practical and tends to be judgmental. The author of this book does a great job acknowledging her shortcomings, discussing the gold standard recommendations vs real life challenges of toddlers being actual human beings. It's a helpful and non-judgmental guide. New parents will find this book a valuable resource.

That said, I was a mom of 3 with my youngest as a toddler when I received this book in a Giveaway, and while I was pleased to see a lot of real-life advice, the part that is missing is how to deal with toddlers who have older siblings. I am hopeful that future editions of this book will expand on this so more seasoned parents hoping to do better in future go-rounds can get a bit more help.

[Jessica simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book as a 2nd time mom a lot of it I already kind of knew but sleep regression and a few other chapters really resonated with me. 2 kids 2 different personalities. I think it’s a great book especially for a first time mom that maybe needs help navigating sick kids, toilet training, foods etc. It’s written in a really conprehensive and non-judgmental tone.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all parents of toddlers. Dr. Diamond has once again written a book with helpful and clearly written information that is delivered with a sense of humor and compassion. A great gift for all parents of toddlers and for grandparents too!

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.