About us

About us

ParentData is a data-driven guide through pregnancy, parenthood, and beyond.

Founded and led by Emily Oster, ParentData translates the latest scientific research into answers to the questions you have in your daily life. We believe that knowing the facts can put you at ease. When you trust the data, you can better trust yourself — and have more confidence in your choices.

Planning for labor? Child care? Birth control after kids? We have hundreds of articles to help you navigate your pregnancy, parenting, and personal health. We aren’t here to tell you what to do; there are many right answers. Data can inform your decisions, but ultimately only you can make the right choice for your family.

And remember: no matter what you’re facing, you’re not alone. We dig up the numbers and stories so that you can see how many others have faced similar challenges.

Emily Oster

Founder and CEO

Emily is on a mission to empower parents by providing the data and tools they need to make confident decisions. After getting a PhD in economics from Harvard, she went on to pursue research in health economics and is now a professor of economics at Brown University. As a mom of two, Emily was inspired by her own pregnancy and the lack of clear information to guide her decisions. She decided to use her expertise in reviewing and analyzing data to help other parents navigate these topics. She is a New York Times best-selling author, whose books include Expecting BetterCribsheet, The Family Firm and The Unexpected.

Meet the authors

Aliza Pressman

Developmental psychologist

Denisse Myrick

Community Manager

Erin O’Connor

Developmental Psychologist

Gillian Goddard

Endocrinologist, Author of Hot Flash

Karey O’Hara

Psychologist, Researcher

Katie Davis

Clinical Psychologist

Kevin Maguire

Writer

Miranda Featherstone

Social Worker, Writer

Quantrilla Ard

Behavioral Scientist, Maternal and Infant Health Advocate

Rebekah Taussig

Writer, Educator

Sara Reardon

Pelvic Floor Therapist

Tatiana Schlossberg

Journalist

Frequently asked questions

How do I create an account?

To log in to ParentData, click here. You will be prompted to set up an account, where you can choose your subscription level. When you set up an account, you will receive an email at the address associated with your subscription that includes a “magic link.” Once you click that link, you will be logged in indefinitely and can enjoy the website.  You can also choose to login with an email and password here. If you have any issues setting up an account, please email ask@parentdata.org.  

How do I ask a question?

You can ask Dewey, ParentData’s AI librarian, a question at any time. Dewey creates answers based on the universe of content on ParentData and Emily Oster’s best-selling books, along with links to relevant articles. If Dewey does not have an answer, it will let our team know so we can consider the topic for the future. If you’d like to submit a question directly to Emily or our other contributors, you can do so here.

How do I login to access my account?

To log in to ParentData, click here. You can login via a “magic link” by entering your email address and clicking the button “Send my log-in link.” If you’d prefer to log-in with your email and password, you can do so here. If you are having trouble with the “magic link,” ensure you are opening it within a web browser and not from your email client. If you continue to have issues logging in, please email ask@parentdata.org and we’ll be happy to assist you. 

How can I cancel my subscription?

While we wish you weren’t leaving our community, we understand there are times when you might want to cancel your subscription. To do so, simply navigate to parentdata.org/account and select “Cancel.” We would love to hear your feedback as to why you are canceling so that we can work to improve ParentData.   

How can I change the credit card for my subscription?

To change the card that’s on file, you can go to your Account page to manage payment information. 

What subscriptions does ParentData offer?

ParentData offers several subscriptions so you can easily personalize your experience based on where you are in your pregnancy or parenting journey. 

  • Web Access: Full access to ParentData.org and occasional newsletters from Emily in your inbox.  
  • Plus: Full access to ParentData.org plus your choice of newsletters in your inbox each week, on topics ranging from pregnancy to the post-reproductive years. Additionally, you’ll have priority access to our monthly virtual events with Emily and special guests.
  • Premium: Immerse yourself in all things data! Get everything in the Plus subscription, along with guaranteed access to our monthly virtual events with Emily and special guests, with an exclusive pre-show Q&A.
  • Free: As a free subscriber, you can read limited articles on ParentData.org and receive occasional newsletters from Emily in your inbox.
How can I select the newsletters I receive?

You can customize the newsletters you receive right from your Account page. All subscribers will automatically receive the weekly Digest and bi-weekly The Latest newsletters and can choose to opt out. If you have a Plus or Premium subscription, you will also be able to select from the entire family of ParentData newsletters, including PregnantData, Babies and Toddlers, Big Kids, and Hot Flash. You can adjust your newsletter selections at any time from your Account page.

What are the virtual events included in paid subscriptions?

Paid subscribers are invited to Emily’s Office Hours, which are monthly virtual discussions with Emily and special guests. Topics will vary every month and the event recording will be sent to everyone who registers. Additionally, Premium subscribers will be invited to a private Pre Show where Emily will answer your most pressing questions in a more intimate setting.

How can I listen to the podcast?

You can listen and subscribe to the ParentData podcast by searching for “ParentData with Emily Oster” in your favorite podcast app. The podcast brings Emily together with other experts to talk about some of the most complicated issues in pregnancy and parenting, from labor induction to food allergies to parenting through a divorce. We hope you tune in!

Where can I buy Emily’s books?

You can find Emily’s books on pregnancy and parenting wherever books are sold and at Penguin Random House.

Do you work with brands or sponsors?

We are always open to talking with like-minded organizations and companies interested in working with ParentData. Please fill out this form and we will get back to you if it’s a good fit.

Can I gift a subscription or create a shared/household subscriptions?

You can easily give a subscription to ParentData! You have the option to give a Plus or Premium gift subscription by going to your Account page and clicking “Gift a Subscription.”

We do not currently offer the ability to create shared subscriptions, but we’re always gathering feedback for future improvements.

How do I change my subscription plan?

It’s easy to change your subscription from your Account page. First, make sure you are logged in to your ParentData account. From there, you can do the following: 

  • Change paid plan: When you change your subscription plan, you are immediately moved to your newly selected plan. If you downgrade your plan, your remaining balance will be distributed to your next payment(s).
  • Cancel: This option will downgrade you to a free subscription from a paid subscription. Your plan will remain active until the end of your billing cycle; then you will transition to a free plan.
  • Update billing info: Change your billing information or switch to an annual or monthly billing plan.
What newsletters come with a Plus or Premium subscription?

As a Plus or Premium subscriber, you can select the newsletters you want to receive. They are flexible, so you can sign up for as many as you like and choose what fits you and your family best. Here are our current offerings:

  • The Latest from Emily: Emily Oster breaks down the latest research and headlines in pregnancy, parenting, and personal health
  • PregnantData: A personalized guide to pregnancy, based on your due date (1 article and 1 Q&A per week) 
  • Babies and Toddlers: Data-driven insights on parenting in the early years, ages 0 to 3 (1 article and 1 Q&A per week) 
  • Big Kids: Data-driven insights on parenting older kids, ages 4 to 10 (1 article and 1 Q&A per week) 
  • Hot Flash: Navigating your health and hormones in the post-reproductive years, written by Dr. Gillian Goddard (1 article and 1 Q&A per week) 
  • Village: A weekly chat about what we’re enjoying, reading, and discussing in the ParentData community
  • Digest: A weekly roundup of everything new on ParentData.org
What is included in my Web Access subscription?

As a Web Access subscriber, you get unlimited access to the hundreds of articles on ParentData.org. Additionally, you will get two of ParentData’s most popular newsletters delivered straight to your inbox: Twice a month you will receive “The Latest,” a newsletter where Emily breaks down the latest research and headlines related to pregnancy, parenting, and personal health. Additionally, every week you will receive the ParentData Digest, which gives a full rundown of everything that’s been newly published on ParentData.org so you never miss an article.