First time mum - book recommendations please

[Italianbride]

As I come to terms with actually being pregnant after a long wait, I'd like some recommendations on useful books to read to help me prepare for the new arrival. I'm open to anything at this stage as I like to read, absorb and then make up my own mind

Thanks in advance
A newbie

I have thought of another one - bit of an odd one, and mainly photographs, but it's all about how tiny little pre-verbal babies communicate, even minutes out of the womb, and I found it unbearably moving to read and then when my DD arrived I recognised these tiny universal signs she was making - a little insight into the world of this tiny odd alien little being. It's www.amazon.co.uk/The-Social-Baby-Understanding-Communication/dp/1903275423.

OP, enjoy your holiday and enjoy your pregnancy and congratulations.

PS None of the books I read told me how much fun it was all going to be, despite the anxious moments and the sleepless moments and all that.

Good luck!

Thanks to all of you for your recommendations. Lots and lots for me to have a look at which gives me some comfort in getting myself prepared, even if I do end up ignoring most of it!

I'm 13 weeks pregnant and I've been finding Dorling Kindersley 'The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book' absolutely great! www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1405332107/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9556677789&ref=asc_df_1405332107

I took a long time browsing the books in the shop and this one really stood out; it has whole page of bitesize chunks of advice and info on the baby's development to read for each day in a countdown format and thousands of amazing images to bring it all to life, + a big section on labour and the first two weeks of the child's life at the back x

We plumbed for Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care. It doesn't (often) tell you what not to do, more why you shouldn't do it but make your own mind up type of thing. We both like Supernanny's practical and no nonsense advice and so her baby care book made lots of sense to us...

Oh yes, I second 'The Social Baby', it really was worth every penny.

V important developmental stuff, and on how to understand the signs a newborn makes. I found it more useful because of the lovely photos of newborn babies, week by week. I've heard that many early-years child professionals use it.

Three in a bed by Deborah Jackson. My baby didnt come into bed til he was 3 months old. How i wish i had have had the confidence to let him in my bed and cosleep earlier and ignored the health professionals. I didnt read it til he was around 3 months but if i had another, he would be in with me from day one. Definitely read it. Also anything by Dr Jay Gordon, Sears,and Oliver James. I am quite fond of Attachment parentng theory. There are loads of opinions out there so try and find someone who is coming from the same or similar view point as yourself.

The pregnancy bible, good for when your pregnant. After baby born Tracy Hogg Baby Wisperer & Yummy Mummy Survival Handbook are really good.