recommend books for first time parents

[EffinIneffable]

Expecting our first baby in August and wondering what books and info (other than mn!) you found useful? We will probably do some classes but they seem to focus mostly on the birth. What books did you and/or dp find useful for helping you prepare and adjust to being parents? I'm interested in books that cover both practical (feeding, sleeping, safety) and more emotional and mental side. And I'm aware that we'll prob feel woefully unprepared however many books we read!

Your baby week by week is a lovely book. It was giving to me when I had my first and I have bought it for many friends when they've been expecting.

It just gives a rough idea of the types of things that will happen each week so you know what to expect (as much as is possible with a baby!)

I liked to read about the week that was coming up in advance which was nice.

It's not a pregnancy book, it's following the birth

For the emotional side I recommend 'what mothers do' by Naomi stadlen.

On a practical level Harvey Karp's baby calm has lots of tips for the early days.

I think the "what to expect" do one for each stage, "whilst you are expecting" is certainly excellent x

I've enjoyed What To Expect When You're Expecting, there is so much info in there!!

Also First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins, although the kindle edition has an annoying layout. Lots of sensible advice (or it seems like it, my baby isn't born yet!)

DH has enjoyed How To Be Your Own (And Your Child's) Best Teacher by Michael Rosen, and The Expectant Dad's Handbook by Dean Beaumont.

For practical help once baby is here I second the week by week book. Really idiot proof yet not patronising. DH loved getting it out and telling me what we should be doing with the baby, trying to be helpful

cant say ive read any books but if it is any consolation, we are all just making it up as we go along! we make mistakes, we cry, we shout and we love. and dont worry too much about the baby stage, they wont remember that the only way to get them to sleep was to read stephen King to them, or that one time you were so tired you fell asleep with them In bed accidentally. my two seem to be ok so far, and considering my track record with plants it is a bit of a miracle
congratulations and maybe some of these book suggestions will be helpful

Birth and Beyond by Yehudi Gordon covers everything
Raising Happy Children by Stimpson and Parker is fantastic for parenting consistently from birth to teens.

Sears "The Baby Book" was a lifesaver for us. Has a whole page in things to try when your baby is screaming inconsolably that we used a lot.

For the non-practical, emotional wreck aspects: Anne Enright's Making Babies.

My partner likes the Commando Dad books

I've got Kate Evans's "Bump" for pregnancy and "The Food of Love" for breastfeeding. Both are pretty straightforward about what to expect, and have plenty of humour, and great illustrations. Although Bump is definitely targeted at women, my other half read it too and really liked the humour and the straight talking approach.

The wonder weeks :)

My partner has 'Commando Dad' too. It's good, very sensible and straightforward, covers the practicalities of actually looking after a baby (bathing, changing, sleeping etc.)

The new pregnancy and birth book by Dr Miriam Stoppard is straight talking all you need to know, she is a mum and doctor so has both perspectives.

For Dad from here to paternity; diary of a pregnant man by Andrew Cullen is a funny read from the male perspective.

For breast feeding found the national childbirth book of breastfeeding really good.

Exciting times, enjoy x

The Wonder Weeks. Helps make sense of the crazy stages they seem to go through. Helped me understand they weren't random and it wasn't anything I was doing wrong, it's all perfectly normal and I focused on what my baby was learning to do at that stage.

Another vote for the Food of Love. It was given to me by a colleague who is also a lactation consultant and I've loved it. It gives you all the latest evidence behind the suggestions, is brilliantly illustrated with cartoons (that is her day job) and whilst it is pro breast feeding it doesn't ram it down your throat and gives you the pros and cons of all options along with the practical consoderations. It also discusses co-sleeping, routines, and goes onto things like weaning.

It's for later on but I loved annabel karmels weaning books, I did a mix of her ideas and baby led weaning which worked well for us

'Your baby week by week' was essential in the sleep deprived feeling-clueless stage of the first few weeks.
'My Child Won't Eat' was revelationary and I wished I read it before my son was born.
'Secrets of the Baby Whisperer' introduced me to the EASY routine, which was the most practical approach I found to life with a baby.

Oh, & go & look at the Kellymom website for info on breastfeeding & how it works. An decent understanding of that may save you significant heartbreak & upset later if you find bfing a challenge like I did.

The "Baby Whisperer" and the simplicity of the EASY way of life saved me. Totally recommend that book.

My husband enjoyed this one

amzn.to/1CigJ5T

I second (third?) Both of kate Evans' books