Compiled by Librarian Kristy Taylor
Oh, baby! Expecting a bundle of joy this coming year or already have a small child at home? Then you can never have enough “help” to get you through these beautiful, yet exhausting, years. There are so many books available on this topic - these are just a few that might help get you started on your incredible journey through parenthood.
Baby Play (2001)
by Wendy S. Masi, et al.
This book provides a number of illustrated activities that a parent can do with their 0-12 month old. The activities are arranged in age appropriate categories and the helpful sidebars inform the reader on how each particular activity is stimulating or helping the child learn a new skill. If you like this title, also try Toddler Play for children ages 1-3 in the same series.
Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads (2004)
by Gary Greenberg, et al.
Textbook meets stand-up comedy in this cleverly illustrated book for new fathers (and/or mothers, too). This book is filled with basic facts, helpful tips, and clear how-to instructions written from a male perspective. Although not as thorough of a guide as some other books on preparing for a newborn, this title still makes for a great last minute read-through prep guide and can serve as a “cheat sheet” to new parenthood.
Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth (2004)
by Jenny McCarthy
There’s nothing better than some comic relief during pregnancy. Not only does this book expose a lot of the less attractive aspects of pregnancy (and, in turn, makes the reader laugh about it), it does provide some helpful insight into certain situations on a mom-to-mom level. But, mostly it is just a really fun read for expectant mothers who don’t mind a little honest (and often crude) talk about pregnancy. If you like this one, try her follow-up, Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth about the First Year of Mommyhood.
Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (2009)
by Steven P. Shelov and the American Academy of Pediatrics
This essential guide is as complete of a child care book as it gets. Filled with vital health information, milestone charts, and helpful hints, this book covers all aspects of child care – from feeding and nutrition to behavior and discipline, and everything in between. A one-stop resource for everything baby and young child, this book will be the first one that new mothers turn to to find the answers to their questions.
Easy Labor: Every Woman’s Guide to Choosing Less Pain and More Joy During Childbirth (2006)
by William Camann and Kathryn J. Alexander
This book tackles the sensitive topic of childbirth and discusses both medical and natural techniques to help relieve pain during the birthing process. First time moms have no idea what to expect during labor and delivery, but this books tries to help mothers-to-be feel more confident during the entire process and be more informed to make the right decisions for their own birthing experience. Techniques and medications are described in detail and the reader is encouraged to formulate her own opinions and decisions.
Gentle Baby Care: No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry – Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby (2004)
by Elizabeth Pantley
This book is organized alphabetically by topic and can serve as a quick reference to answer your questions. Exclusively focusing on the baby’s first year, this guide not only provides you with facts and tips on baby care, but also tackles related issues such as childproofing, selecting baby gear, breastfeeding in public, and more. A great resource for the parent of a newborn.
The Girlfriend’s Guide to Baby Gear: What to Buy, What to Borrow, and What to Blow Off! * (2003)
by Vicki Iovine
One of the most mind-boggling things about pregnancy is the realization that you have so many things to prepare before the baby actually arrives. From diapers (should I use cloth or disposable?) to bumper pads (are they safe?), the author conquers your baby gear fears by providing useful information and honest opinions. All this and some humor thrown in too!
The Healthy Baby Meal Planner: Mom-Tested, Child-Approved Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler (2005)
by Annabel Karmel
Making sure your baby or toddler is getting the most out of their diet is one of the major concerns of a parent. This book helps parents navigate through the nutritional quagmire and provides valuable information on nutritional requirements, what foods provide which nutrients, and a stage-by-stage guide to what young children can and should eat, along with recipes for kid-friendly foods. A great resource for new parents.
The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears (2007)
by Elizabeth Pantley
If disciplining your child is as hard on you as it is on your child, you may want to take a peek at some of the advice offered in this useful guide. Parents can move out of the “bad guy” role by following some of this book’s simple guidelines on how to discipline your child effectively yet gently, head off bad behavior before it starts, and understand why children act out. The author has a No-Cry series, which includes the best-selling No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion * (2005)
by Kathleen Huggins
This best-selling guide to breastfeeding not only provides a wealth of in-depth information, but is organized in a user friendly way so that mothers can quickly access any information on any question they might have. Step-by-step instructions simplify the breastfeeding process for new mothers. Various problems encountered for both mother and infant are explained, all in a reassuring and non-judgmental tone. If you’re thinking about breastfeeding, or currently are, this book might prove to be a valuable resource for you.
Postpartum Depression Demystified: An Essential Guide to Understanding and Overcoming the Most Common Complication after Childbirth (2007)
by Joyce A. Venis and Suzanne McCloskey
Postpartum depression is no longer a taboo topic, with many new books on the subject in publication, along with some famous faces, such as Brooke Shields, coming to the forefront to shed some light on the topic. This book not only shares with the reader the personal experiences of real women, but is a thorough guide on what postpartum depression is, the symptoms, diagnostic tests, and other medical information essential to understanding the condition. Advice, self-care tips, and a great outside resource list add to the usefulness of this book.
The Premature Baby Book : Everything You Need to Know About Your Premature Baby from Birth to Age One (2004)
by William Sears, et al.
From the authors of the bestselling Sears Parenting Library series, this book addresses many of the concerns parents might have about a premature baby. The hows and whys of premature birth are covered, along with how to care for your preemie in the hospital and at home, what to expect with a premature infant, and much more. A parent question and answer section is a nice bonus feature of this book.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health (2006)
by Toni Weschler
Although a helpful resource for women wanting to conceive, this book is also a guide for all women who want to truly understand their menstrual cycle. The author covers hot topics such as current fertility technologies, while emphasizing the possibilities of natural conception and understanding the body’s signals in order to achieve conception.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2008)
by Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff
This is probably one of the most popular pregnancy books out there. It’s easy to read, laid out according to months, and information is presented in a “friend to friend” style question-and-answer format. Just about every topic you can imagine is covered, from conception all the way to your postpartum days. Also in this series, try What to Expect The First Year and What to Expect The Toddler Years.
When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy (2004)
by Barbara Luke
And you thought having one baby was scary enough! Expectant mothers facing multiple births have special concerns and unique situations that may not be addressed in the average pregnancy book. This selection tries to inform and reassure these mothers of the adventures ahead: topics covered include nutrition, development of the fetuses, labor and delivery, complications, and personal experiences of other mothers of multiples.
Your Pregnancy Week by Week (2008)
by Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler
Covering much of the same ground as What to Expect When You’re Expecting, this book looks at pregnancy a little differently by using a weekly format instead of a monthly one. Each weekly chapter allows the reader to follow the fetus’ development from conception to birth and provides other pertinent information that expectant mothers want to know. The fetal illustrations give moms an inside look into how their baby is growing.
* available in SearchOhio only