Post # 1
Member
6065 posts
Bee Keeper
Hi bees! I thought it would be nice to have a running thread with recs for pregnancy, birth, and parenting books.
Please list some books, and explain briefly (or extensively!) why you appreciate them.
I thought it may be cool to even have a little “book club” thread for those of us reading some of the same books to share our thoughts.
These are my favorite so far:
Sacred Pregnancy by Ann Daulter- some of the suggestions come off a little cheesy or hippie-dippie, but overall the beautiful photography and the reminders to treasure each aspect of pregnancy is really lovely. At the end of each pregnancy week section, there is space to journal your feelings about a specific topic. I would love my child to be able to read it when they grow up.
Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham- I had been looking for a parenting style that was NOT permissive, yet was kind in its manner of discipline. I don’t want a house full of yelling and “because I said so!”, etc etc… Dr. Laura Markham’s information has awakened me to a whole world of empathetic parenting that still strongly enforces limits and boundaries. She also has a website: http://www.ahaparenting.com that I’m obsessed with.
And Baby Makes Three by Drs. Gottman and Gottman- A book full of helpful suggestions for parents on how they can maintain intimacy after a baby comes. A lot of great communication tips. Each couple I thinkcan figure out what works for them out of the many suggestions.
The Wonder Weeks by Dr. Plooij- A really interesting, informative read on how babies develop in their first 20 months of their lives. It gives you a heads up as to when and WHY babies are especially fussy at certain stages, and how to constructively get through it.
I have also purchased Mindful Birthing & Parenting from the Inside Out, & The No Cry Sleep Solution, but I have not read enough of them yet to comment.
Post # 3
Member
3697 posts
Sugar bee
Anything by Ina May Gaskin. Her Guide to Childbirth and Guide to Breastfeeding are invaluable.
Post # 4
Member
6065 posts
Bee Keeper
@KCKnd2: I’ve heard so much love for her books on the bee, I have to order those two!
Post # 5
Hostess
3572 posts
Sugar bee
Post # 6
Member
6065 posts
Bee Keeper
@Mrs.LemonDrop: The Hands Free Mama book sounds interesting, I may check that one out.
Thanks!
Anyone else?
Post # 7
Member
12257 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
DH and I LOVED “Be Prepared” (http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=tmm_pap_title_0), which was very funny, very informative, and didn’t drag on/wasn’t overly flowery or hippy-dippy.
We also both really liked “The Pregnancy Instruction Manual” (http://www.amazon.com/The-Pregnancy-Instruction-Manual-Owners/dp/1594742456/ref=pd_sim_b_1) for the same reasons.
I read “What to Expect” by myself, and really enjoyed it! I don’t think I would reccommend it to heavier Moms or older Moms, though. It is definitely guilty of fear-mongering a little.
Post # 8
Member
4416 posts
Honey bee
As for parenting them when they’re babies, I loved Tracey Hogg’s “Baby Whisperer,” and I especially valued “On Becoming Baby Wise”.
Baby Wise was great because it told you when you could expect your baby’s sleep schedule to adjust, in weeks. And it was right on the money right up until the 12-15 week mark when the baby can supposedly drop the last night feeding and sleep 10-12 hours straight. Mine didn’t follow that, but I don’t mind — the book was so helpful up til this point that I think it was worth the $7 I paid for it!
Post # 9
Member
90 posts
Worker bee
My two favorites are kind of geeky…
Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D. A pediatrician walks you through the history of birthing babies, going all the way back to prehistoric times before we were even upright! I just found it fascinating, and loved learning the reasons behind certain trends (the unconscious births of the 50s/60s, the natural birth push of the 80s, the cesarean trend of the 00s, etc).
Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies? The Surprising Science of Pregnancy by Jena Pincott More lighthearted than Birth Day but in the same vein. Just lots of really interesting factoids about pregnancy. I also liked this book because it told me I can eat chocolate every day. 😉
Post # 10
Member
544 posts
Busy bee
Natural Hospital Birth – I really loved this book. A hospital birth is my only option and this book gave really practical tips for labor and birth. Written by a doula. I’m sure I’ll go back and read it a few more times before birth.
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering – Some good tips, but I felt the presentation of scientific evidence was heavily biased. I did like the author’s personal birth stories.
Misconceptions – I just love Naomi Wolf, I’m excited to read this one.
Post # 11
Member
7656 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Evie19: I loved Mayo’s Guide to Pregnancy. Tells me week by week what to expect.
I am currently reading Mindful Birthing, but I am not far enough into it to comment on whether or not I like it. I feel its going to be very hard to get in to, but if I get my mindset right, I should enjoy it.
I need to look into Ina May Gaskins books because I guess her books are absolutely fantastic.
Post # 12
Member
184 posts
Blushing bee
Commenting to follow!! I’m so excited to research all of these! So far I’ve been reading the Mayo’s Guide to Pregnancy, but at 27 weeks, I need to start on breastfeeding and new baby books!
Post # 14
Member
90 posts
Worker bee
Oh, one more:
Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman While I do recommend this book, remember to keep it in context. IMO, it is almost impossible to raise an American baby like a French baby because your American baby lives in America, which is apparently very little like France when it comes to societal views and government/workplace policies on pregnancy/babies. But I definitely found it interesting and worthwhile to learn about raising a baby in a different country, and there a couple tips in here that I think can translate (such as “The Pause”–I am totally going to try and do this!)
Post # 15
Member
6065 posts
Bee Keeper
Great list ladies! Anyone else?
Post # 16
Member
1496 posts
Bumble bee
For someone who wants a more scientific approach about brain development and parenting: brain rules for baby by medina is fantastic.
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