What books would you recommend?

[SunSparkle]

I’m at the start of my conception journey and would love to read a book about pregnancy but also about the first year or two so that I can be sure of what to expect. My partner also wants to do the same.

Which books did you read or are reading that you would recommend about pregnancy and the first year or so of parenting?

Hey - so I was gifted a few and bought a few and would recommend all of these!

For pregnancy:
"Your Pregnancy Week by Week" by Lesley Regan

For hypnobirthing/getting your head round pregnancy and birth and feeling positive and empowered I would 100% recommend:
"The Positive Birth Book" by Milli Hill; and
"Hypnobirthing, Practical Ways to make your Birth Better" by Siobhan Miller
both game changers if you're scared or been traumatised by programmes like One Born Every Minute

For the first few weeks/months (not that I'm there yet I'm 38 weeks but reading the first few chapters of each to prepare):

"Your Baby Week by Week" by Simone Cave and Dr Caroline Fertleman; and
"First Time Parent" by Lucy Atkins

Good luck!

PS I was also gifted "The Expectant Dad's Handbook" by Dean Beaumont if your partner wants a book
But can't comment if it's any good as neither my friend who gifted it to me's fella or mine bothered to read it LOL x

I've got lots of pregnancy books, but never had any parenting ones. Mainly because every child is so different and I liked to follow their call, and parenting books all seem to contradict eachother.
Mind you, I was an experienced nanny by the time I had my first so I guess I was more confident. Plus any info is readily available online.

Preg books I can recommend are Kaz Cooke's Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth - very funny. But for day to day info I love my 'The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book' by Dr. Maggie Blott.

Pregnancy The Beginner’s Guide is a fun little read, that you can dip in & out of. DH likes it, too. It’s not all mumsy, like some pregnancy books.

The one I’d avoid is What To Expect When You’re Expecting. I found it was just too much for me... Every possible aspect is over-examined.

I personally enjoyed "how to grow a baby and push it out" light hearted real talk from a midwife. It's not scientific and complicated. It's funny and gets to the point 🌸

Thank you! All great recommendations!

The parenting book suggestion was less for one that told you 'how' to parent but it would be good to have an idea of what month babies start teething, what is a high temperature, what colour of poo is concerning. A bit like a fact encyclopedia of what to know, or to refer to when you feel a bit lost.

My mum has a great book like this when I was born but I think it will be quite out of date now. I think it was called The Mothers Almanac or something.

I liked baby development everything you need to know by Claire Halsey as it has photos and ideas for play etc.
Also agree with First Time Parent by Lucy Atkins.
I found after baby was born and you get baby blues/feel like you can't do anything right The Unmumsy Mum book by Sarah Turner was a godsend x