Once becoming pregnant, most women read books about pregnancy and childbirth. It makes sense! That’s what’s currently happening and on the horizon. But what’s also on the horizon is life with baby. And that’s a stage of life that will be here to stay . . . for a while. You’re not going to have much time to read once baby is here, so now is the time to prepare and catch up on some reading regarding parenting options and motherhood. I did some research and asked several moms what they suggested, and this is what we came up with. Here’s what we recommend for you to check out!
Parenting Books
Thousands of parents have come to baby expert Dr. Harvey Karp to learn his remarkable techniques for soothing babies and increasing sleep. Now his landmark book—fully revised and updated with the latest insights into infant sleep, bedsharing, breastfeeding, swaddling, and SIDS risk—can teach you too! And if you are pressed for time, you can watch the video. 😉
The Circumcision Decision is the only unbiased, thoughtful exploration of the important question of whether to circumcise your son or leave his foreskin intact. With a highly readable approach and reliable information, it guides parents through the full range of issues to help them decide what is best for their newborn son.
The Baby Book is unrivaled in its scope and authority. It presents a practical, contemporary approach to parenting that reflects the way we live today. Focusing on the essential needs of babies—eating, sleeping, development, health, and comfort—it addresses the questions of greatest concern to parents. The Sears’ acknowledge that there is no one way to parent a baby, and they offer the basic guidance and inspiration you need to develop the parenting style that best suits you and your child. The Baby Book is a rich and invaluable resource that will help you get the most out of parenting—for your child, for yourself and your entire family.
When American journalist Pamela Druckerman had a baby in Paris, she didn’t aspire to become a “French parent.” But she did notice that French children slept through the night by two or three months old. They ate braised leeks. They played by themselves while their parents sipped coffee. And yet, French kids were still boisterous, curious, and creative. Why? How? With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman set out to investigate—and wound up sparking a national debate on parenting. Researched over three years and written in her warm, funny voice, Bringing Up Bébé is deeply wise, charmingly told, and destined to become a classic resource for American parents. And if you don’t have the time to read this book, we have written thorough notes on the book here.
This book offers parents a fair, impartial, fact-based resource from the most trusted name in pediatrics. Dr. Bob devotes each chapter in the book to a disease/vaccine pair and offers a comprehensive discussion of the disease, how common or rare it is, how serious or harmless it is, the ingredients of the vaccine, and any possible side effects from the vaccine.
The book is based on the scientific- and parental-world-changing discovery of a phenomenon: all normal, healthy babies appear to be fussier at nearly the same ages, regression periods, and sleep less in these phases. The book includes:
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- A week-by-week guide to baby’s behavior
- When to expect the fussy behavior, what this implies (cranky, clingy, crying (the three C’s) behavior), and how to deal with these regression periods (leaps)
- A description from your baby’s perspective of the world around him and how you can understand the changes he’s going through
- Fun games and gentle activities you can do with your child
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This book offers a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.
Raising Your Spirited Child offers ALL parents a glimpse into what makes their children behave the way they do. This invaluable guide offers parents emotional support and proven strategies for handling the toughest times through vivid examples and a refreshingly positive viewpoint. The author has devised a plan for success with a simple, four-step program that will help you discover the power of positive—rather than negative—labels, understand your child’s and your own temperamental traits, cope with tantrums and blowups when they do occur, develop strategies for handling mealtimes, bedtimes, holidays, school, and many other situations.
Janet Lansbury’s advice on respectful parenting is quoted and shared by millions of readers worldwide. Inspired by the pioneering parenting philosophy of her friend and mentor, Magda Gerber, Janet’s influential voice encourages parents and child care professionals to perceive babies as unique, capable human beings with natural abilities to learn without being taught; to develop motor and cognitive skills; communicate; face age-appropriate struggles; initiate and direct independent play for extended periods; and much more. Once we can view our children in this light, even the most common daily parenting experiences become stimulating opportunities to learn, discover, and connect with our children.
Today’s busier and faster society is waging an undeclared war on childhood. With too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time, children can become anxious, have trouble with friends and school, or even be diagnosed with behavioral problems. Now internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne helps parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their attention to deepen and their individuality to flourish.
As modern mothers are pushed to prematurely “bounce back” after delivering their babies and are often left alone to face the physical and emotional challenges of this new stage of their lives, The First Forty Days provide a lifeline—a source of connection, nourishment, and guidance. The book includes 60 simple recipes for healing soups; replenishing meals and snacks; and calming and lactation-boosting teas, all formulated to support the unique needs of the new mother. In addition to the recipes, this warm and encouraging guide offers advice on arranging a system of help during the postpartum period, navigating relationship challenges, and honoring the significance of pregnancy and birth.
What books did you read during your pregnancy—or after baby—to prepare for parenthood that you found helpful? What would you add to this list?
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