Crib Sheet (Featuring Jersey Banks of The Urban Cowboy)

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Jersey Banks, who is the co-founder of The Urban Cowboy Hotels and Lodge, and mother to a 6-year-old daughter. Here, we discuss Emily Oster’s book, “Crib Sheet.” Emily Oster is an economics professor at the University of Chicago who spends her life looking at research studies and data, evaluating the quality of information and conclusions in studies. In her parenting books, she tells us which parenting studies we can rely on and which are flawed. In “Crib Sheet,” Oster looks at questions parents face in the first three years of parenting: Should I bathe my baby immediately after birth? Should I circumcise my newborn son? Should I let the hospital give my newborn routine blood and hearing tests? Should I room in with my baby in the hospital? What do I do if my baby loses weight in the first few days? What does it mean if my baby has jaundice? How do I swaddle my baby? And why swaddle? My baby has colic. What do I do? What symptoms can I expect after giving birth? Vaginal tearing? Bleeding? A floppy stomach? Serious complications after giving birth to look for? When can I exercise after giving birth? When can I have sex after giving birth? How to handle postnatal blues or depression? Is it better to breastfeed? Is it okay to bottle-feeding my newborn? What is nipple confusion? Can I eat fish after giving birth? Can I drink coffee while nursing? What is the safest way for me to set up my baby’s crib? Is co-sleeping with my baby safe? Which vaccines are safe for me to give my baby? Should I work or should I be a stay-at-home mom? Is day care safe for my baby? Is having a nanny better than daycare? Should I sleep train my child? What does the data say? How do I introduce solid foods to my baby? What do I do if my child isn’t reaching their milestones? Are developmental delays treatable? Can I allow my toddler to watch television or to play games on screens? When will my child start to talk? If my baby isn’t talking, when do I worry? How should I potty train my toddler? How should I discipline my toddler? How do I choose a pre-school or nursery school program? What is the best way to space out my children?This being an Emily Oster's book, she examines each of these aspects of parenting through the lens of empirical research and statistical analysis. We highlight the necessity of discerning credible studies from flawed ones, and Oster provides parents with the tools to make informed decisions regarding child raising choices. Our discussion touches upon the critical topics mentioned, emphasizing the importance of making evidence-based parenting choices. We also talk about our personal experiences as mothers. Ultimately, this episode is interested in how data-driven insights can empower mothers and fathers to navigate the complexities of raising children in today's world.Takeaways:The podcast highlights the importance of Emily Oster's research in dispelling common misconceptions about parenting practices.Listeners are encouraged to approach parenting decisions based on data rather than societal pressures or anecdotal evidence.The episode emphasizes that parental choices regarding work versus stay-at-home parenting should be tailored to individual family needs.It is noted that children's developmental progress and well-being are significantly influenced by the quality of childcare arrangements they receive. Companies mentioned in this episode:Habit CoachTesting MomUrban Cowboy LodgeEmily OsterClif Bars