Parenting Expert Emily Oster: The #1 Parenting Mistake That Causes Unnecessary Stress (Use THIS Data-Backed Framework to Debunk the Biggest Parenting Myths!)

About this episode

Parenting today feels like navigating endless advice while quietly wondering if you’re doing any of it right. Jay sits down with bestselling author and economist Emily Oster to unpack one of the most overwhelming journeys many people will ever face: becoming a parent. In a world filled with endless advice, social media pressure, and conflicting research, parenting can start to feel like a test you’re constantly failing. Emily offers a refreshing, data-driven perspective that helps parents cut through the noise, separating real evidence from the myths that fuel unnecessary anxiety. From pregnancy and fertility to sleep training and screen time, this conversation reveals what truly matters and what parents can finally let go of. Together, Jay and Emily challenge many of the parenting beliefs we’ve accepted without question. They explore why modern parents feel so overwhelmed by information and expectations, when the data actually shows there are many “right” ways to raise a child. Emily breaks down how correlation is often mistaken for causation in parenting advice and how that misunderstanding quietly drives guilt, fear, and comparison. Whether it’s breastfeeding versus formula, screen time, sleep training, or developmental milestones, Emily encourages parents to move away from perfection and toward confident, thoughtful decision-making. In this episode you'll learn: How to Stop Overthinking Parenting Decisions How to Decide What Parenting Advice to Ignore How to Choose the Sleep Strategy That Works for Your Family How to Raise Kids with a Growth Mindset How to Plan Parenting Decisions Before Problems Arise How to Let Go of the Pressure to Parent Perfectly Parenting can feel overwhelming, especially in a world filled with endless advice, opinions, and expectations. The truth is, raising a child isn’t about getting every small decision perfectly right, it’s about showing up with love, care, and intention, day after day. Emily’s book, Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know, offers guidance through pregnancy and motherhood. Grab a copy now. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:39 Why Does Parenting Feel Harder Today? 04:06 What the Data Really Says About Parenting 05:24 Don’t Trust This Fertility Advice! 07:56 What Affects Sperm Health 09:51 Lifestyle Habits That Affect Fertility 12:26 Are Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy? 15:02 Which Pregnancy Rules Actually Matter (And Which Don’t) 18:25 When Is the Best Age to Have Kids? 21:56 Common Pregnancy Myths Debunked 31:19 How Dads Can Support After Birth 34:09 What’s Actually Best for the Baby? 36:51 More Parenting and Pregnancy Myths 44:20 How to Deal With Mom Guilt 47:55 How to Raise Confident Kids 54:28 Parenting Decisions That Cause Stress 56:27 The Truth About Sleep Training 01:02:03 Does Crying It Out Harm Attachment? 01:04:12 How Much Screen Time Is Too Much? 01:09:40 The Truth About Childhood Vaccines 01:12:02 Are Kids Being Overmedicated? 01:14:35 The Many Paths to Parenthood 01:16:49 This or That: Parenting Edition 01:24:31 Emily on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://parentdata.org/  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/emily.oster.509/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profemilyoster  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/parentdata  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@profemilyoster  X | https://x.com/ProfEmilyOster  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices