Smart Mothering: What science says about caring for your baby and yourself

by Natalie Flynn

'Natalie has a wealth of knowledge on so many topics and provides great bite-sized pieces of advice.' Nadia Lim'Finally a book that deals with the things that really matter, based on the actual science and a depth of clinical experience.' Nigel LattaPsychologist Dr Natalie Flynn has examined all the research on key baby topics such as feeding, sleeping and crying. The result? Smart Mothering, a revolutionary book that separates the facts from the opinions.Find out what research says about the dilemmas so many parents What if I can't breastfeed? Is it best to feed on demand? Can I leave my baby to cry? Should I vaccinate my baby? Is bed-sharing a good idea? Natalie provides the answers to these questions and many more.Smart Mothering is objective, accessible and practical. With helpful tips, succinct summaries and clear diagrams it demystifies the often confusing and overwhelming world of parenting. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make informed decisions about how best to care for their baby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

507 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2019

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first few chapters of this book were great, and that’s literally the only reason it’s 2 stars and not 1.

Where it fell apart for me was at the chapters for breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Yes, I may have personal views that are influenced by other research I’ve done, as well as my own experiences, but this book is so anti breastfeeding, it really surprised me. It almost feels like the author just wanted to cater to the women who, for whatever reasons, can’t/couldn’t breastfeed and to make them feel better for bottle feeding. It’s such a delicate subject and a personal decision and in my opinion, I think the facts should be presented in an unbiased way so that each mother can make an informed choice that fits her and her family without feeling guilty or being afraid of judgement. This book absolutely failed to do that. In fact, I think that if I had read this before I had babies, or as a new mother, it would have actually terrified me of breastfeeding and it might have even put me off it.

So anyway, because of that, I nearly DNF’d it, but then I wanted to see what other info was in here, and tbh the other info wasn’t that bad (though I’m sure those who don’t agree with the rest of the views would say the opposite), but since the author lost all her credibility in my mind, I found it difficult to absorb any of the remaining information. I also have to say that even with the info that I agreed with, I found the author’s approach quite aggressive and biased and I think it all should have just been presented in more neutral ways.

So anyway, my best advice for reading this book is to take whatever aligns with your views, leave the rest, maybe do some other research into the topics that interest or potentially worry you and don’t let anything that’s written in here make you feel scared or guilty.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the clapping emojis. A sensible, fact-based book on parenting. I love Dr Flynn’s focus on a happy mother raising happy children and how looking after yourself should be your priority as a parent.

[Kerry Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the book and seemed to be based on sound scientific research. However after reading this article by a paediatrician, I changed my opinion of the book. It made me question, how much is her reporting of the research coloured by her opinion?
https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/29...

[Ellie Waddington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely disgusting that these lies, propaganda and opinions are being passed off as ‘science’.
Do not read this book.

[Bianca Menzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mum who felt significant guilt about topping up my milk supply with formula, this book was my saving grace. The reference to scientific evidence and actual data was super helpful and reduced my guilt to none. Thank you!

[Rebecca Hay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting research and ideas, but I overall found this a pretty bland book. Nothing much surprised me and the author's overall message was that most parenting choices are okay? So I guess it was reassuring but not that groundbreaking for someone like me who likes to research big parenting decisions and is pretty open minded already.

[Chloe (thelastcolour) · Rating 3 out of 5]

very useful, need to buy my own copy to appreciate it more and refer back when needed

[Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should have read this BEFORE having children.

[Emmalene Umar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author’s take on breastfeeding was totally over the top and the whole premise of giving you all the information in an unbiased way is not really true at all. Flynn is very opinionated and includes and excludes things as it suits her.

[Kellie Stickney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over antenatal classes - this is all you need. And bonus, backed by evidence-based research and not just coz “it’s best for your baby and makes you a better mother”.

[Jana Keir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in the first couple of weeks after my new baby was born, to cut through some of the bullshit I've read and been told on all sorts of topics.

Overall I found it pretty helpful as a literature review of some of the most important scientific studies done on babies and children - from breastfeeding vs formula and any lasting impacts; to vaccinations; to the optimal time to put a child into daycare.

I couldn't help but take some of it with a grain of salt, because even though Natalie Flynn has summarised the research, there will always be an element of bias that creeps in - and in this case, it probably has through her summarising and interpretation of the research. Still, an excellent read!

[Lexi Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, though it’s made me miss studying something awful. Flynn looks at and evaluates critical studies in the area of child rearing, with a particular focus on whether the claims of “breast is best” are true (they’re not). This book was absolutely fascinating and although there were some subjects I wished she touched more on for older children rather than newborns (child feeding, CIO, discipline) this was an invaluable resource for a new parent. I had to put the book down a few times, filled with absolute rage at the treatment of women regarding breastfeeding (including the treatment I received myself), and have shared the information in this book with lots of new parents. This book should be given to all new parents!

[Gemma Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY! No mum shaming insight. A parenting book that is well researched, balanced and data driven. If you’re looking for a book to help you navigate pregnancy and the early months of motherhood that doesn’t drive home a particular agenda this book is for you. It gave me the confidence to trust my decision making as a new mum and challenge any well intentioned health professionals pushing particular narratives in one of the most hormonal and vulnerable moments of your life. Dr Flynn clearly cares about mothers and empowers them with information so they can care for their babies. Love this book. Read it.

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was OK. Aside from the unnecessary gendered language in the title and throughout the book ("parent" would have worked just as well for 90% of the points the author makes), this covers lots of interesting ground. My biggest frustration is that for a book that makes the case for relying on "good science" and being critical about the quality of evidence, it doesn't facilitate the reader getting that information at all - the author's own interpretation of scientific findings don't seem as evidence-based as claimed. To be really useful, the book is more a primer for "doing your own research" which doesn't quite do it for me.

[Kavita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book at a airport book stand while pregnant and thought I’d give it a go, the first few chapters were slow but after that I was hooked. I’m so happy to of discovered this book it was informative and the fact over myths were great. It gave me a lot more confidence as a new parent . I read through it twice the second time highlight and bookmarking pages to refer to. My husband and I were over whelmed second week into new born phase and referring to a few pages I’d marked was reassuring and just the right guide I needed.

[Loz Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was lifesaving for me when I was a new mother awash in a sea of opinions, pressure and comparison. I don’t understand the negative reviews about it, it’s based on science and the studies that have been done, and examining them from a realistic modern perspective. I don’t see the issue, and for an overwhelmed new mother you need to hear unbiased information that isn’t the same old echo chamber of rigid dogma.
I buy this book for every expectant mother I have known and they always thank me to no end.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best parenting book I've read. Unbiased. Research driven (and methodology scrutinized). No opinion forced down your throat; Instead, Natalie presents the facts as they are and tells you to form an opinion based on that. Very helpful and highly recommend - especially the chapters covering breastfeeding and bottle feeding. #fedisbest

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have given 5 stars, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was quite a bit of her own opinion mixed in with all the evidence. Who knows if the author interpreted the studies to suit her ideas. Overall a good read though, and much more balanced than some parenting books out there.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author sells books by saying that the information is based on scientific facts rather than opinion. Yet she continues to state her opinions on breastfeeding based on 1 rubbish study rather than thousands of others. The book is full of lies! Very dangerous

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without a doubt the most helpful book to help moms-to-be make important decisions about parenting.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful book, cutting through the noise by highlighting what advice is actually backed by science. Highly recommended

[Izybeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

evidence based recommendations so you can raise your very own evidence based baby

[Jessicca Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every muma should be given this 👏👏

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super helpful and well written in a simple format for sleep deprived parents!

[Jordan Maclaurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A critical review of the science that is written in a supportive, comforting tone. It made me so much calming going into having my first child.

[Harriet Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book while I am pregnant and it was very informative without fear mongering. Would recommend to anyone expecting.