This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re back with Emily Oster (bestselling author, economist, and the data-driven voice behind ParentData.org) this time diving into some of the most common (and most stressful???) early parenting decisions.
From breastfeeding and formula to alcohol while nursing, sleep training, childcare, discipline, screen time, and vaccines, Emily explains what’s actually supported by research versus what’s been inflated by guilt, outdated thinking, and internet panic. She breaks down why some benefits are smaller than they’re often made out to be, why rigid “rules” can miss the bigger picture, and why parents deserve clearer context without shame.
If you’ve ever questioned the parenting “rules,” this episode offers more context (not more rules) so you can decide what works for your family!!!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! (pt 2 with Emily Oster)
00:00:48 Introduction to Emily Oster
00:01:48 Breastfeeding: what benefits are actually proven (and how big are they)?
00:07:50 Alcohol while breastfeeding: do you ever need to pump & dump?
00:09:25 Sleep training / cry it out: is it safe — and what does the data say long-term?
00:14:46 Child care: does daycare/nannies affect kids — and what should parents prioritize?
00:17:31 Spanking & discipline: does spanking work — and what’s the better alternative?
00:23:48 Screen time: what matters for toddlers — and is “overstimulation” real?
00:36:30 Vaccines: should you follow the schedule, space them out, or opt out of any?
00:43:54 Thank you for listening!
#twoparentsandapod
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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:
https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod
https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386
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Website | https://parentdata.org/
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