The book ignited a revolution, breaking free from conventional wisdom that said children required schedules, discipline and little affection. Instead, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Childcare, written by Dr. Benjamin Spock and published in 1946, encouraged parents to think for themselves and to trust their instincts.
Spock’s book was a huge best-seller, second in the U.S. only to the Bible. It sold more than 50 million copies and was translated into more than 40 languages. It helped to usher in a fundamental shift in how Americans approached parenting.
My wife and I are pediatric health professionals, but when our children were born, we rushed to buy Spock’s book. I have also researched Dr. Spock’s leadership in the field of pediatrics.