New mum book

[julescox]

Hi I am 30 weeks pregnant and was thinking of buying some books to give me some advice on becoming a new mummy. Any recommendations?

"How Not To Be A Perfect Mother" by Libby Purves.

She wrote this when her own children weren't far past the toddler stage, and it is full of down-to-earth advice that she and her friends found really worked. It is also funny and very wise. The most important thing this book taught me is that you don't have to beat yourself up if you don't achieve parenting perfection - as she said, as long as your baby is clean, warm, happy and well fed, it doesn't matter if he is wearing a disposable nappy, and his older brother's jumper with the sleeves rolled up. And even a perfect madonna needs half an hour's break with a drink and a good book.

Hers is a counsel of moderation and common sense, of listening to, and reading all the advice you want to, and then doing what works for you and your baby.