Emily Oster

1 week ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

My first child was born over 14 years ago. Many things have changed in my life since then, but one very salient one is my ability to focus on a single thing at a time. That ability has completely disappeared. This has both pluses and minuses. On the minus side, in the middle of a lecture, my brain will sometimes decide I need to think about whether we remembered to schedule dentist appointments.

1 week ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I’m curious about the question of breastfeeding vs. formula and infant health. In your books, you’ve concluded that one is not really better than the other. Knowing the biology of antibodies, it seems to me that mom’s body will make antibodies to things she comes in contact with, which means her baby’s body will make antibodies too if they’re near her. But if the baby is away from mom frequently, then the opposite is true.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I’m really into weight training, and just started trying to get pregnant. I’ve been taking creatine as part of my regimen but wonder if it’s safe to take while trying to conceive. What about when I get pregnant? I’ve heard mixed messaging — some people stop taking it right away, and others say that it is actually beneficial for the baby. What does the data say? —“Working out” the answersCreatine is a compound made of three amino acids, which you need for muscle functioning.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

Both of my children were late walkers. Our pediatrician was characteristically relaxed about it, but I was not (especially with the first child). I wondered: what kind of incentives could I provide? Special shoes? I know I was not alone, because a friend once said she stayed home from work for several days to teach her child to walk. Can you even do that? She swore she did. Walking is one of those milestones that looms large in the moment.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Marea Goodman |Emily Oster

My wife and I are planning to get pregnant this year with our first child, and I’m already hearing a lot of weird questions about “who the father will be.” What do I say when people ask me such invasive questions? —Not Your BusinessSomething I commonly see for LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be is experiencing a barrage of unwanted questions and comments from family, community, and strangers throughout every stage of the family building process.